Congressman and White House science adviser settle rift over China policy

Science : With the approval of the 2013 spending bill, it appears that the problems have been resolved between Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) and White House science adviser John Holdren. Last year Wolf cut the budget of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as punishment for its continued collaborations with China. Wolf is an ardent critic of China’s treatment of religious and human rights activists and its policies regarding Tibet. The White House, however, took issue with Wolf’s efforts to restrict bilateral scientific activities between the US and China, claiming that such policies would infringe on the president’s constitutional powers to conduct foreign policy. Holdren has since agreed to give 30 days’ notice of any bilateral meetings and to promise to protect US interests regarding any sharing of information or technology. The 2013 bill grants the full $5.85 million requested by the OSTP.