January 19, 2010
Reauthorization of America COMPETES Act Tops Committee’s Agenda, Chairman says
(Washington, DC) – Today, Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) held an event to announce his agenda for the second session of the 111th Congress.
Chairman Gordon announced his intention to move the America COMPETES Act through the House before the Memorial Day recess. COMPETES is the landmark legislation, signed into law in 2007, based on recommendations from the National Academies. It aims to strengthen our national economic competitiveness through investments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; it sets our science research agencies on a doubling path (NIST, NSF, and DOE Office of Science); and it addresses the need for innovation in the energy sector by creating an Advanced Research projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) to pursue high-risk, high-reward energy technology development.
“The America COMPETES Act is critical to our nation’s long-term economic competitiveness,” said Gordon. “This legislation is a key priority for the Committee. Our first hearing of the year tomorrow will be to get the perspective of the business community on the reauthorization, and I look forward to hearing their opinion of COMPETES’ effect on U.S. innovation and the workforce.”
Chairman Gordon also discussed his intention to move a NASA reauthorization this spring.
“Congress believes that a strong and balanced civil space and aeronautics program of science, aeronautics, and human spaceflight and exploration is important and worthy of the nation's support, and an important part of the nation’s innovation agenda,” said Gordon.
Chairman Gordon discussed his intention to continue the Committee’s work on advancing energy technologies. The Committee will work on legislation dealing with R&D involving nuclear energy, and marine and hydrokinetic energy, as well as energy efficiency and conservation technologies.
“We need to be looking at many different avenues to help us meet our growing need for energy, to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and to help the U.S. gain the advantage in the new industries and the jobs that go along with them,” said Gordon.
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