Science 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
December 13, 2005Administration Ignores Requests For Answers
Today, U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) wrote to President Bush reminding him of numerous outstanding requests for information from Science Committee Members. "I don't think it's too much to ask that the Administration respond to questions on job creation, hurricane preparedness and public health concerns from Members of Congress," said Rep. Gordon. "These requests have been before the Administration for months. Our constituents have concerns … Continue Reading
December 13, 2005Gordon Methamphetamine Act Passes House
Legislation authored by Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) to stem the scourge of methamphetamine (meth) in local communities, unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. H.R. 798, The Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act, will protect unsuspecting families from the dangers of illegal meth labs and provide needed tools for law enforcement to detect labs throughout the community. "Meth production is an all too common problem in local communities … Continue Reading
December 08, 2005Gordon Highlights Gaps in Administration's Pandemic Plan
U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) today called on Administration officials to reexamine their plan to fight potential U.S. flu outbreaks in an effort to insure local officials have the necessary information to protect citizens. In a letter today to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt, Ranking Member Gordon outlined gaps he uncovered in the nation's pandemic preparedness plan and called on the Agency to address … Continue Reading
December 07, 2005Prepared Remarks by the Hon. Bart Gordon for the National Science Board Roundtable on Science Education
I appreciate having this opportunity to comment on the National Science Board's proposal to convene a Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Mathematics and Technology. I have two basic points I would like to make this morning. First, I do not believe there is a need to create another commission to take a broad look at how to improve science education in the nation. As we all are aware, there have been several such commissions and national panels of experts that have done this … Continue Reading
December 07, 2005Gordon Introduces Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Efforts and Performance in Science/Math Education
Speaking before a meeting of the National Science Board (NSB) today on 21st Century Education in Science, Mathematics and Technology, U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) announced he had made good on his promise to act quickly to strengthen science and math education in the nation's schools. Rep. Gordon introduced the "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds" Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 4434). The legislation - among other initiatives - will … Continue Reading
December 06, 2005Prepared Remarks by the Hon. Mark Udall for the Space Transportation Association
Good afternoon. I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to join you folks, and I'd like to extend my thanks to Rich Coleman for inviting me to participate in today's event. 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 … Continue Reading
December 06, 2005Gordon Introduces Legislation to Address U.S. Energy Challenges
Today, Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) Act (H.R. 4435) to speed the commercialization of energy technologies to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy by 20% in the next 10 years. Development of a new generation of energy technologies is critical to addressing our nation's future environmental, economic and security challenges. America is the global leader in technological innovation and nowhere is … Continue Reading
December 06, 2005Udall: NASA Faces Challenges in Turning Exploration Goals into Reality
Today, U.S. House Committee on Science Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) spoke with the Space Transportation Association on the challenges facing NASA's Exploration Vision. Following are Rep. Udall's prepared remarks: Good afternoon. I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to join you folks, and I'd like to extend my thanks to Rich Coleman for inviting me to participate in today's event. It's nice to see some familiar faces, and I look forward to getting to know the … Continue Reading
November 17, 2005Research is Key to Safety When Tackling Unknown Aspects of Nanotechnology
How safe are some of the products we use daily? How can we insure that all is being done to protect citizens and the environment from the possibly harmful effects of nano-sized particles that are beginning to appear in commercial products? Science Democrats sought answers to these and other questions at a hearing to assess the environmental, health and safety impacts of nanotechnology. "There seem to still be ample unanswered questions in this field, but what is clear is that … Continue Reading
November 16, 2005NPOESS Program Deep in the Red
Public and private entities charged with the management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) principal satellite program were called before the U.S. House Committee on Science today to explain why that project is grossly offline and billions over budget. Witnesses, including the NOAA Administrator, the Undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force and the vice president of the primary project contractor - Northrop Grumman Space Technology - gave the Committee their … Continue Reading