Udall: Effort to Develop Next Generation Air Transportation System Making Progress, But Major Challenges Loom
At a House Science Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing today on the future of the U.S. air traffic control system, Democrats made clear that while they applaud the progress that has been made to date in the initiative to develop the nation's future air transportation system, they are concerned that a number of key policy, technical, and budgetary issues still need to be addressed. Democrats pressed for continued Subcommittee oversight of the initiative. "This topic should be of … Continue Reading
March 29, 2006Frustrated by Lack of Federal Commitment to Curb Offshoring, Dems Seek Commerce Report Containing Data on Loss of U.S. Jobs
U.S. House Science Committee Democrats today continued their efforts to compel the U.S. Department of Commerce to produce hard data and in-depth research on offshoring of U.S jobs in high-tech industries - data that the Department has consistently refused to provide. In the last five years, nearly 3 million Americans have lost manufacturing jobs due to offshoring. A recent poll conducted for National Public Radio found that offshoring is the number one concern (26%) of hardworking … Continue Reading
March 16, 2006Wu: EPA Can't Advance Research If Budget Is Shrinking & Science Is Censored
As ranking member of the U.S. House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, Congressman David Wu (D-OR) asked tough, well-directed questions in a hearing today on the research and technology budget for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The theme of today's hearing was clear: Sound science and greater investments in research at the EPA are necessary if the Federal Government wants to ensure America will enjoy a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment … Continue Reading
March 15, 2006Successful STEM Education Rests on Quality, Not Necessarily Quantity
As part of the Committee's continuing discussion on innovation and U.S. competitiveness, the Research Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science convened today to continue exploring means of attracting students to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and insuring those students are prepared for the job force of the future. While typical discussions on this issue tend to focus on the hard numbers of STEM students graduating each year, Science … Continue Reading
March 10, 2006What Is Happening to American Jobs?
U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) led Committee Democrats in introducing a Resolution of Inquiry (H. Res. 717) to compel the Secretary of U.S. Commerce Department to divulge a copy of a report on off-shoring American jobs. This report, titled Six-Month Assessment of Workforce Globalization in Certain Knowledge-Based Industries, was produced by analysts in the Office of the Technology Administration (TA) in 2004. It represents the most thorough examination to … Continue Reading
March 09, 2006Bold Action on Energy Is Key to U.S. Competitiveness
The U.S. House Committee on Science heard from a panel of experts today on ideas to advance U.S. competitiveness in the energy arena - specifically, whether the creation of a new research agency (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy (DOE) could streamline the movement of Federal research into practical ideas that advance U.S. energy independence. "We all agree that energy research and development is key to energy independence, innovation, workforce development and U.S. security," … Continue Reading
March 07, 2006Science Democrats Honor National Engineers Week
Today, the House passed H. Res. 681, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Engineers Week. Science Committee Member and sponsor of the resolution, Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), emphasized the important and positive contributions made by engineers to our quality of life. "As one of the few Members of Congress with an engineering background, I appreciate the important role that engineers have played in American history," stated Rep. Lipinski. "Military engineers like … Continue Reading
March 06, 2006Science Democrats Highlight Inadequacy of Administration’s Commitment to Science, Competitiveness in Budget
As a means of expressing extreme discomfort with the way science is treated in the FY07 Federal budget, today U.S. House Science Committee Democrats submitted dissenting "Views and Estimates" to the House Budget Committee. Committee Democrats once again made clear that inadequate Federal science and technology funding in the FY07 Administration budget will not put the U.S. on a path to increased U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace. Last year, the Administration's FY06 … Continue Reading
March 02, 2006NASA Budget Puts Key Science Priorities at Risk
At a House Science Committee hearing today on the FY07 Federal budget request for NASA's science programs, Committee Democrats expressed grave concern for the future of space and Earth science research at the agency. "NASA's science programs have helped to nurture and develop generations of scientists and engineers through university-based research, participation in space science missions and data analysis," stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "But NASA's proposed … Continue Reading
March 02, 2006Why Can’t This Administration Honestly Admit Katrina Failures?
Once again, the White House is denying advance knowledge of the potential devastation of Hurricane Katrina last August. "This is not an 'I told you so,'" stated House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) today. "This is a renewed call for an end to stalling, an end to the cover-ups, and an end to finger-pointing. We know who knew what and when they knew it - the scandal now is the lack of action." The re-emergence of Associated Press video and … Continue Reading
February 28, 2006Prepared Remarks by the Hon. Bart Gordon for the Nuclear Energy Institute Research and Development Symposium
Thank you, Dr. Hanson, for that kind introduction and thanks to NEI for inviting me here today. Also, I want to recognize NEI for its foresight in putting together this symposium to address current research and development issues that affect not only your industry but the nation as a whole. That’s why Senators Alexander and Bingaman and House Science Committee Chairman Boehlert and myself asked the National Academies to conduct an assessment of America’s ability to compete and prosper in … Continue Reading
February 28, 2006Energy Innovation Will Bolster U.S. Competitiveness
U.S. House Committee on Science Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) reiterated a call for House action on competitiveness legislation to insure U.S. jobs and industries are equipped to compete in the global marketplace. Speaking before a crowd attending the Nuclear Energy Institute's (NEI) Nuclear Energy R&D Summit in Washington, D.C., today, Rep. Gordon sought their support for legislation that will equip the U.S. in retaining and creating quality jobs, educating the next generation … Continue Reading
February 23, 2006Wu Convenes U.S. House Science Committee Hearing on Health Care IT in Oregon
(Portland, Oregon) - As Ranking Member of the U.S. House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards (ETS), Congressman David Wu (D-OR) convened a Committee field hearing in Oregon on health information technology (IT) systems. Congressman Wu brought the hearing to Oregon, and the First Congressional District in particular, because it is home to a growing cluster of private sector health care IT companies, as well as the Oregon Health and Science University, which is … Continue Reading
February 23, 2006NSB 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