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January 22, 2009

Subcommittee Chairs, Members Named

(Washington, DC) – Today the Democratic Caucus of the Committee on Science and Technology met to elect Subcommittee Chairs and select Subcommittee assignments.  The selections will be official after they are approved by the full Committee at the Organizational Meeting on Wednesday, January 28th. 

“The issues before this Committee have important and long-ranging impact:  energy technology development, climate and weather monitoring, math and science education programs, nanotechnology, the space program, aviation research, and technical standards for industries from energy to health care to telecommunications,” said Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN).  “I want this to be the Committee of good ideas and consensus.  Every bill we passed in the 110th Congress had bipartisan support, and most of them passed unanimously.  I think we have a great group of Members—on both sides of the aisle—and I look forward to working with them.” 

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) was elected Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

“I am extremely concerned with climate change and ocean acidification,” said Baird.  “I look forward to playing a leading role in using scientific research to craft responsible policies in these areas.  I look forward to working on the research and development to advance the energy technology that will allow us to reduce use through energy efficiency, to more fully embrace renewable energies and to reduce climate change.” 

“Brian did great work as the Chair of Subcommittee on Research and Science Education last Congress—he is engaged, thorough and thoughtful in his questioning,” said Gordon.  “He’s already proven himself a leader and a strong advocate in his years on the Committee, and he is passionate about the issues before his new Subcommittee.  I look forward to seeing the work he does on these important issues in his new role.”      

Members of the Subcommittee include:

  • Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL)
  • Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
  • Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)
  • Rep. Ben Lujan (D-NM)
  • Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
  • Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
  • Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL)
  • Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)
  • Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT)
  • Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN)
  • Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY)

 

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was elected Chair of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

“I am honored to take on a leadership role on the Science & Technology Committee,” said Giffords.  “Under the focused and bipartisan guidance of Chair Gordon, we are aggressively promoting scientific advancements that are key to U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace.  Smart research and development investments in several federal agencies, including NASA, will help create the innovations that will drive economic growth and create new jobs.”

“Having gotten to know Gabrielle over the past two years, I think she would be good at anything she does.  The Committee and the nation are fortunate that she has chosen the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee,” said Gordon.  “The issues before the Subcommittee are complex, but I know that she will play an effective leadership role in addressing them.  The country owes a large part of its technical edge and our economic competitiveness to work done at NASA, and we need to ensure that we maximize NASA’s relevance to addressing the science and technology challenges that will be facing the nation in the coming years.” 

Members of the Subcommittee include:

  • Rep Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
  • Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL)
  • Rep David Wu (D-OR)
  • Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)
  • Rep. Steven Rothman (D-NJ)
  • Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)
  • Rep. Charles Wilson (D-OH)
  • Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)
  • Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL)

 

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) was elected Chair of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education.

“As a former political science professor, mechanical engineer, and recipient of NSF funding when I was a graduate student, I understand the critical importance of providing support for research,” said Lipinski.  “The future of our country depends on supporting research and STEM education, which will keep our country competitive and provide the high quality jobs of today and tomorrow.”

“I appreciate Daniel’s previous work on the Committee and congratulate him on his new position as Subcommittee Chair,” said Gordon.  “It is great to have an Engineer as Subcommittee Chair, who understands these issues inside and out. Daniel’s knowledge and passion for science education will serve the Committee well.”

Members of the Subcommittee include:

  • Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
  • Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA)
  • Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
  • Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL)
  • Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
  • Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)

 

Rep. David Wu (D-OR) was re-elected as Chair of the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.

“I am looking forward to expanding on this Subcommittee’s achievements from last Congress. Technical standards are extremely important to successfully applying scientific discoveries.  As all scientists know, if you can’t measure it, it’s not real,” stated Wu. “I will continue to be dedicated this Congress to backing programs, such as SBIR, that transfer technology from the lab to the marketplace. Innovation will play a key role in creating jobs during this time of economic uncertainty.”

“David’s excellent work on the T&I subcommittee during 110th Congress ensured the passage of SBIR and the NIST reauthorization. In addition, the subcommittee developed new legislation regarding green transportation infrastructure and was the only Committee to pass health IT legislation through the House last Congress,” said Gordon. “I look forward to working with him again to meet our Country’s challenges through innovation.”

Members of the Subcommittee include:

  • Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)
  • Rep. Ben Lujan (D-NM)
  • Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
  • Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL)
  • Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ)
  • Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI)

 

Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) was re-elected as Chair of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight

“Every Member wants to see the government be more accountable.  The Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee is the place where holding people accountable is our top priority,” said Miller. “I am very happy to be returning to Chair the Subcommittee and look forward to working with Chair Gordon and the new Administration to restore scientific integrity, and to make government more efficient and more transparent.”

“Brad ran a very aggressive Subcommittee in the last Congress and I am really pleased that he is coming back to a role that he shines in.” said Gordon. “During the 110th Congress, the I&O subcommittee produced and received a total of 528 letters requesting Administration documents, recommending policy changes, and requesting GAO investigations and five staff reports detailing significant abuses. I am excited to work with Brad and the new Administration in this Congress to make government work more efficiently and effectively.” 

Members of the Subcommittee include:

  • Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA)
  • Rep. Steven Rothman (D-NJ)
  • Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN)
  • Rep. Charles Wilson (D-OH)
  • Rep. Alan Grayson (FL)

  

Committee Members were officially assigned to the Committee when H.Res 74 passed the House yesterday, after being approved by the Democratic caucus last week.  Subcommittee Chairs and assignments are made based on Members’ preferences, in order of seniority as assigned by the Steering and Policy Committee, as space allows, and following the procedure laid out in the Caucus Rules.   

For more information, including the Committee’s agenda, please see the Committee’s website.  

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