Interesting blend of appeals to self interest and the wider public good: it's a spend multiplier in the economies it's spent in, it's net productive for jobs, and the economy and people's QALYS rise overall.

I would tend to think the self interest appeal will be the one that works. Ex NIH funded work will start appearing on pork in presented bills, sooner or later. Places like research triangle park will be speaking to their reps, lobbyists.