Chairman Comments on State of the Union Address
(Washington, DC) U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered comment on this evening’s State of the Union Address delivered by President Bush. Gordon outlined the Committee’s priorities for the coming session and also urged the President to work with Congress in a bipartisan fashion to address the challenges facing the nation.
Gordon offered the following comment:
“The first session of the 110th Congress was one of the most productive and bipartisan in our history. In that time, the Science and Technology Committee helped enact two major pieces of legislation - a bill to keep our country competitive and improve math and science education (HR 2272, the America COMPETES Act) and a bill to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy through expanded energy technology development (HR 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007).”
“I'm glad that in his State of the Union speech tonight the President says we need to make sure our children graduate prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century by strengthening math and science education. However, the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) has never included a specific science education component, and his budget last year proposed cutting funding for K-12 education activities at the National Science Foundation. This year, the President’s FY2009 budget needs to better reflect the priorities of the America COMPETES Act, which he signed into law last year.”
“In addition, the President says that he is dedicated to strong growth in renewable electricity generation and clean and efficient technologies critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including those in HR 6. We need to see these priorities reflected in his budget – which last year proposed major cuts to energy efficiency and renewables.”
“Finally, the President stressed the role of technology in enhancing the capabilities of our border patrol agents. However, many existing technologies are not ready for full deployment along the border because of high costs, and lack of technical or workforce training. This year, my Committee will move legislation on new research programs that provide critical support to several Presidential homeland security initiatives, including the use of unmanned aerial systems along the southern border. In turn, the President needs to support these efforts by advocating for a stronger investment in homeland security R&D.”
"This year, the Committee will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Just as this Committee responded to the challenges presented by the space age back in 1958, this year we will continue working to address the emerging challenges facing our nation. We must embrace the American Spirit of innovation if we are to protect U.S. global competitiveness, invest in math and science education, advance the development of energy technologies, address the threats of climate change, embrace the opportunities presented by nanotechnology, better protect our homeland, and ensure the continued success of all of NASA's missions. Each of these areas will take center stage on our agenda."
Follow the Committee’s work throughout the second session of the 110th Congress via this website. Here you'll find the latest Committee schedule and information.
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