Among fiscally conservative Republicans, Walkeris not alone in supporting science research. Rep.John E. Porter (R-III.) also has a prominent rolein determining the level of science researchfunding, as he chairs the Appropriationssubcommittee that determines the level of fundingfor the National Institute of Health (NIH), whichprovides 60 percent of Harvard's federal researchgrants.

Porter is actually pushing for more NIH fundingthan the $11.8 billion proposed in PresidentClinton's budget, says David Kohn, his presssecretary.

"Representative Porter feels four percent isnot a big enough increase," says Kohn. "He thinksbiomedical research has been shortchanged and thatit's important for our country's ability to keepitself at the forefront in research."

Kohn says the federal government can increasespending on research and simultaneously work tobalance the budget, which may require $350 billionin cuts over five years.

"If you're concerned about health care costsgoing out of control, you have to be concernedabout funding biomedical research," Kohn says.

Some of the toughest budget cutting talk iscoming from Democratic representatives.

"We need to put everything through amicroscope," says John Deeken, spokesperson forRep. David R. Obey (D-WI), the ranking Democrat onAppropriations.

Potential cuts to science funding make facultyand administrators at Harvard, the recipient infiscal year 1994 of over $235 million in federalresearch funds, nervous about the future ofresearch at Harvard.

"It's going to be an unpredictable year," saysJames H. Rowe III '73, Harvard's vice presidentfor government, community and public affairs.

Professors are also left guessing what willhappen to scarce science funding.

"The horizon is dim, and there will becontinuing reductions," says Higgins Professor ofPhysics Sheldon L. Glashow, who received a NobelPrize in 1979.

But Rowe says not all signs are pointing tocuts in science funding. Clinton's proposed 1996budget includes increases in money earmarked forscientific research.

"The Clinton administration has come out with aquite positive budget for research funding thatrecognizes the importance and validity of researchfunding," Rowe says. "That could well be the highwater mark of what we end up with."

And science research funding remained intact inthe rescissions bills proposed by the House ofRepresentatives, says Kevin Casey, Harvard'sdirector of federal and state affairs.

"Generally, the rescissions show that researchis held in fairly high regard," Casey says. "Theydid not really touch the NSF." A rescissionmeasure involves cutting funds already earmarkedin a budget.