THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of Science and Technology Policy

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For Immediate Release

April 17, 1998

 

Secretary of the Treasury to become Member of the National Science and Technology Council

President Clinton has designated the Secretary of the Treasury to be a Member of the National Science and Technology Council.  The Department of the Treasury has expertise on the economic effects of proposed science and technology initiatives, especially those involving tax policy, risk sharing, and innovative financing including government sponsored enterprises that would add substantially to NSTC deliberations.

President Clinton established the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) by Executive Order on November 23, 1993. This Cabinet-level Council is the principle means for the President to coordinate science, space and technology policies across the Federal government. NSTC acts as a "virtual" agency for science and technology to coordinate the diverse parts of the Federal research and development enterprise. The NSTC is chaired by the President. Membership consists of the Vice President, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, Cabinet Secretaries and Agency Heads with significant science and technology responsibilities, and other White House officials.  An important objective of the NSTC is the establishment of clear national goals for Federal science and technology investments in areas ranging from information technologies and health research, to improving transportation systems and strengthening fundamental research. The Council prepares research and development strategies that are coordinated across Federal agencies to form an investment package that is aimed at accomplishing multiple national goals.