October 30, 1984
I am withholding my approval of H.R. 5172, which includes the ``National Bureau of Standards
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1985'' (Title I), clarifications of the role of the National Science
Foundation in engineering research and education (Title II), and the ``Manufacturing Sciences and
Robotics Research and Development Act of 1984'' (Title III). Title I would, among other things,
authorize appropriations for certain Department of Commerce programs for fiscal year 1985, for
which appropriations have already been enacted.
Title III of H.R. 5172 would establish a new program providing Federal financial support for a
variety of research, development, education, and training activities, whose purported purpose
would be to improve manufacturing technologies, including robotics and automation. These
activities would total $250 million during fiscal years 1985 - 1988, and represent an unwarranted
role for the Federal government. The decisions on how to allocate investments for research on
manufacturing technologies are best left to American industry. It is highly doubtful that this Act
and resulting Federal expenditures would improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.
The new role for the Federal government contemplated by Title III could also serve as the basis
for a Federal industrial policy to influence our Nation's technological development. This
Administration has steadfastly opposed such a role for the Federal government.
My Administration has fostered the development of a robust and improving economy, which will
do more than anything to improve the growth and productivity of the industrial sector. We will
continue our efforts to improve the general economy, the regulatory environment, and tax policies
that are essential if U.S. industry is to remain competitive. I cannot, however, approve legislation
that would result in significant Federal expenditures with little or no assurance that there are any
benefits to be gained.
I am, therefore, constrained to withhold my approval from H.R. 5172.
Ronald Reagan
The White House,
October 30, 1984.