NSB Report Affirms Need for Action on Science/Math Education
A report released today by the National Science Board (NSB), America's Pressing Challenge - Building a Stronger Foundation, affirms the efforts of U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) to improve U.S. standings in math and science education. "Once again, the facts speak for themselves on science and math preparedness and the effect on U.S. global competitiveness," said Rep. Gordon. "Some of the nation's foremost scientific minds today reminded us … Continue Reading
February 16, 2006Gordon Appreciates NASA Administrator’s Quick Action to Safeguard Scientific Openness
U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) released a letter that he sent to NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin today regarding Dr. Griffin’s actions to reaffirm the importance of scientific openness at NASA. Rep. Gordon contacted the Administrator nearly two weeks ago seeking answers and urging investigation into claims of silencing raised by NASA Goddard scientist Dr. James Hansen. Dr. Griffin responded to Rep. Gordon stating his desire to resolve the matter … Continue Reading
February 16, 2006NASA’s Stated Goals Don’t Match Budgetary Realities
In continued oversight of the Administration's FY 2007 budget plan, the U.S. House Committee on Science today heard from the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Dr. Michael Griffin. Science Democrats asserted that the realities of the budget situation facing NASA today do not match the glowing "Vision" presented by the President in 2004. "I support exploration, but the simple fact is that in the two years since the exploration initiative … Continue Reading
February 15, 2006Wu Demands the White House Explain Reports of Scientific Manipulations and Censorship
Today Dr. John Marburger, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), appeared before the U.S. House Committee on Science to defend the President's budget proposal on research and development funding levels. As a member of the Science Committee, Congressman David Wu (D-OR) took the opportunity to address continued reports of scientific manipulations and censorship by the Administration. "It has been more than two years since allegations of scientific … Continue Reading
February 15, 2006Science, Competitiveness Shortchanged In Administration Budget
A House Committee on Science hearing today with federal agency Administrators to review the Administration's FY2007 budget led Committee Democrats to conclude that there's more to be done to keep America competitive in the global marketplace. "The good news in this budget request is the proposed increase in Federal research and development," stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "The bad news is that that increase is less than the projected rate of inflation. Once … Continue Reading
February 14, 2006Administration Budget Not All 'Roses' for Science
After careful review of the Administration's recently released Fiscal Year 2007 budget, Science Committee Democrats today released their agency-by-agency analysis. The verdict: cutting science to fund science will not get the job done. "When are we going to connect the dots? Science research breeds innovation. Innovation creates quality jobs for U.S. workers," said House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "This plan doesn't do enough to help U.S. … Continue Reading
February 10, 2006Prepared Remarks by the Hon. Mark Udall for the National Science Board Meeting on Science Education
Good afternoon. I want to thank the National Science Board for inviting me to participate in this event and share some of my thoughts about NSF and STEM education from a Congressional point of view. As many of you know, I represent the Second District of Colorado - which includes the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as many of our mountain communities within Clear Creek, Summit, Grand and Eagle Counties. Colorado's 2nd Congressional District includes both high plains and high tech … Continue Reading
February 09, 2006Prepared Remarks by the Hon. Mark Udall for the Third Annual U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Conference
Good morning. It's nice to see some familiar faces, and I look forward to getting to know the rest of you over time. As you may know, I currently serve as Ranking Member of the House Science Committee's Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. I also serve on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Resources Committee. In carrying out my responsibilities on those Committees, I have been struck by the important role that the nation's commercial and governmental remote sensing activities … Continue Reading
February 07, 2006Gordon on the FY07 Science Budget: The Devil is in the Details
The Administration submitted its budget request to Congress this week for Fiscal Year 2007. After careful analysis, Science Committee Democrats found that, "As usual, the devil is in the details." "I thought the Administration was finally taking science funding and the role of science in the global marketplace seriously, but their budget proves the recognition given to the topic in the State of the Union address was not matched in the funding details," House Science … Continue Reading
January 31, 2006Gordon: On Jobs/Innovation, Actions Speak Louder Than Words
In President Bush's State of the Union address this evening the topics of U.S. competitiveness and jobs were addressed and attention by the Administration was assured. U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) released the following statement following the State of the Union remarks: "I welcome the President's recognition of the challenge facing the U.S. in the global marketplace. Like the old adage notes, 'actions speak louder than words' and I'll be looking … Continue Reading
January 26, 2006Science Democrats Mark the 20th Anniversary of the Challenger Accident
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary (January 28, 1986) of the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger and its seven brave crew members. U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark Udall (D-CO) offered the following remembrance. The House Science Committee maintains jurisdiction over the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). "I think all of us remember where we were at that heartbreaking moment 20 … Continue Reading
January 25, 2006Gordon Calls on Administration to Prioritize Science Funding, Jobs
U.S. House Committee on Science Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) today called on the President to lead the Congress and the country in charting a course for insuring quality jobs are available to U.S. workers now and in the future. In his letter to the White House today Ranking Member Gordon wrote, "The work of the Augustine Committee was neither partisan nor narrow and the Nation would be well served to follow their policy advice as closely as possible… Your impending State … Continue Reading
January 23, 2006Gordon, Udall Urge NASA to Heed GAO’s Project Management Recommendations
After careful study, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency's (NASA) policies governing the development of space flight systems have been found to be lacking some key criteria. A report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that additional "decision reviews" are needed to ensure that NASA's projects meet their performance, cost, and schedule goals. The GAO study, requested in June 2005 by House Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) … Continue Reading
January 19, 2006Udall Hails Launch of New Horizons Mission to Pluto
U.S. House Committee on Science Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) released the following statement regarding today's launch of the New Horizons spacecraft bound for Pluto: "With the launch of the New Horizons spacecraft bound for Pluto, our nation is entering an exciting new phase in space exploration. New Horizons is the first mission in NASA's New Frontiers Program of medium-class planetary missions, and it will be the first spacecraft to visit … Continue Reading
January 19, 2006Innovation and Job Growth Must Be a National Priority
U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) today called on the Administration to give highest priority to providing the resources necessary to ensure innovation and the U.S. job market keep pace with international competitors. "America's ability to compete and prosper in the global marketplace is at stake," said Rep. Gordon. "Our standard of living and quality of available jobs face an uncertain future without immediate action." "House … Continue Reading
December 21, 2005Research Supplies the New Ideas that Fuel the Economy
In an ongoing effort to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness, House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon introduced the third in a series of legislative initiatives designed to ensure quality jobs for our kids and technological leadership in a global marketplace. H.R. 4596, the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, will strengthen the U.S. commitment to scientific research that forms the foundation for our high quality of life, our national … Continue Reading
December 20, 2005Gordon: Feds Must Be Energy Efficient Too
U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) has introduced a package of bills designed to take the next step in furthering energy conservation activities in the U.S., especially in the Federal Government. "The Federal Government needs to be a leader on this issue," said Rep. Gordon. Three bills make up the Gordon energy conservation package - H.R. 4593, H.R. 4594 and H.R. 4595. "We stand here today facing the beginning of the winter heating … Continue Reading
December 19, 2005Remarks by the Hon. Mike Honda on the Release of the White Paper of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Nanotechnology
Thank you all for coming today. I'm glad I'm able to be here. I was worried that I would be stuck back in Washington. We made plans to patch me through electronically, but thankfully that wasn't necessary. As you all know, I'm very committed to nanotechnology and I'm very committed to California. That's why I authored the Nanotechnology Research and Development Act with the Science Committee chairman back in 2003. That bill was good for nanotechnology in the nation as a whole, and … Continue Reading
December 15, 2005Science Dems Support NASA Authorization Conference Agreement
Science Democrats lauded an agreement reached today on the Conference Report for S. 1281, the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. Following today's approval by the conference committee, the legislation is tentatively scheduled for consideration by the full House this week. "This is a constructive compromise that will serve NASA and the nation well," stated House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "Our job here is to give clear policy and funding direction … Continue Reading
December 14, 2005Briefing Highlights Gaps in National Pandemic Flu Plan
Will the public know what to do in the event of a mass flu outbreak? Who will citizens turn to for direction, accurate and timely information, and supplies? These questions - and a host of others - were explored today in a U.S. House Science Committee Democratic briefing hosted by Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA). "I cannot stress this enough - should a highly lethal form of flu surface in the next few years, the biological sciences - vaccines and … Continue Reading