Fiscal oversight of the budget for Defense Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, fiscal years 1983-1992.

Abstract

This thesis discussed the importance of the defense Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. The relevance and value of the budget are addressed. The composition and size of the RDT&E budget as a share of the defense and investment budgets over time are evaluated. The origin of Congressional oversight and the development of the Department of Defense RDT&E budget formats are explained. The defense, procurement and RDT&E are examined from Presidential request through appropriation over a ten year period. Analysis includes the authorization and appropriation changes to the budget, as well as the House and Senate impact on the three budgets, Five major conclusions were drawn. First the period between FY 1983 and FY1988 saw significantly greater conflict between Congress and the executive branch over priorities regarding the defense budget. Second, the budget reductions were smaller during the FY 1989 to FY 1992 period due to greater cooperation between the President and Congress and between the two houses of Congress. Third, the Senate is more supportive of RDT&E spending than is the House. Fourth, the appropriation for procurement was funded more than the presidential request three of the four years during the FY 1989 to FY 1992 period. Fifth, the RDT&E budget received the greatest relative reductions from both the authorization and appropriation committees.