Congresswoman Matsui Named to House Science Committee
Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) was named to the House Committee on Science today. This assignment is in addition to her seat on the House Rules Committee. "Science and research and development are critical to this country's global competitiveness and we as a nation must commit to nurturing scientific research and discovery," stated Congresswoman Matsui. "By being named to the Science Committee I can work to ensure we are setting a national policy that is making the … Continue Reading
May 03, 2006Well-Trained Teachers Should Be Priority #1 in STEM Education Effort
In a second round of hearings on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education today, House Science Democrats made clear that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is and should continue to be a key player in ensuring our nation's children are fully prepared in the STEM fields. "I was frankly disappointed that the STEM education component of the President's American Competitiveness Initiative totally ignored NSF's past and potential contributions to STEM education … Continue Reading
May 03, 2006Gordon Comments on Administration's Influenza Plan
As the Administration unveiled its plan today on how the U.S. would respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak, House Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following comment: "In our meetings with top leaders in pandemic flu preparedness, we discovered a complete lack of private business preparation and other non-pharmaceutical plans in place that highlight the need for social distancing measures to combat an outbreak of pandemic flu in this country. … Continue Reading
April 27, 2006Bold Approaches to Energy Research May Spur Innovation
In a time of rising gas prices and growing consumer energy concerns, the U.S. House Committee on Science today considered the establishment of a program to competitively award cash prizes in an effort to advance the long-term research and commercialization of hydrogen energy technologies. The Committee heard testimony from expert witnesses regarding H.R. 5143, The H-Prize Act of 2006, bipartisan legislation offered by Science Committee Members Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) and Rep. Dan Lipinski … Continue Reading
April 18, 2006Rep. Miller Calls on Secretary Spellings to Release Reports
Today, U.S. House Committee on Science Member Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) called on Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to publicly release materials that led Department officials to decide two Department-sponsored reports should not be made public because they failed to meet "scholarship standards." The reports were on charter school performance and bilingual education. In a letter to Secretary Spellings Congressman Miller wrote, "I encourage the Department to maintain … Continue Reading
April 10, 2006Udall Proposes National Drought Information System
Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) has introduced legislation that would create a national system to provide early warnings, forecasts, and information about drought conditions so that national, state and local communities can better address the impacts of drought. H.R. 5136, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Act of 2006, designates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the lead agency to create this system. It directs NOAA to build a national … Continue Reading
April 07, 2006Remarks by the Hon. Mike Honda for the International Conference on Renewable Energy for Developing Countries
Thank you very much for having me here to speak and for attending the conference. I hope the past two days have been fruitful for all of you. Let me also express my thanks to Dr. Samuel Lakeou of the University of the District of Columbia Department of Electrical Engineering; Dr. Aboise Adebayo of the UDC Department of Engineering, Architecture, and Aerospace Technology; and Dr. Ben Latigo, Dean of the UDC School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for inviting me to be here today. As was … Continue Reading
April 06, 2006Rep. Honda Skeptical of Administration Nuclear Power Plan
Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Ranking Democrat on the Energy Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Science, today questioned the economic rationality of domestic nuclear fuel reprocessing technologies as well as the impact of reprocessing on energy efficiency, nuclear waste management and weapons proliferation. Honda’s doubts were raised during the Energy Subcommittee’s examination of the Bush Administration’s proposed Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) program. "What troubles me about … Continue Reading
April 06, 2006Science Democrats Salute the 25th Anniversary of First Space Shuttle Flight
Democratic Members of the House Science Committee today expressed their strong support for a resolution honoring astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Shuttle. "I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the resolution. Astronauts Young and Crippen personify 'The Right Stuff,' and we owe them and the entire Space Shuttle team - civil servants and contractors - our thanks for twenty-five years of dedicated service and … Continue Reading
April 05, 2006Rep. Baird, House of Representatives Honor 2005 Nobel Laureates in Physics and Chemistry, NIST
Today, the House passed Congressman Brian Baird's congressional resolution to honor the 2005 Nobel Prize winners in Physics and Chemistry. Congressman Baird's resolution also recognizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for contributing to the achievements of past and present Nobel Prize winners and for supporting research that strengthens U.S. global economic competitiveness. "I am pleased to have the opportunity to honor to work of these scientists … Continue Reading
April 05, 2006Dems Quest For Jobs Report Successful
House Science Committee Democrats today reached an agreement with their Republican counterparts to jointly request that the U.S. Department of Commerce turn over valuable data on offshoring of U.S. jobs. Obtaining the report containing an analysis of the state of U.S. jobs was the focus of H. Res. 717, a Resolution of Inquiry submitted by Science Democrats. Democrats were successful in reaching a compromise today with the Committee's Majority that will provide just that. "I thank the … Continue Reading
March 30, 2006Qualified, Well Trained Teachers Key To STEM Education
The U.S. House Committee on Science today reviewed the range of programs that support K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education across several Federal agencies, with a concentration on their coordination and effectiveness. "The importance of STEM education for our nation's future cannot be understated - we're only as good as our human capital," said Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "The National Academies (NAS) report Rising Above the … Continue Reading
March 30, 2006Gordon Comments on Revised NASA Public Affairs Policy
U.S. House Committee on Science Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) issued the following statement in response to NASA's release today of a revised public affairs policy. "I welcome NASA's responsiveness to our concerns about actions that appeared to be aimed at unduly restricting communications by its scientists. NASA's new public affairs policy is a constructive answer to those concerns. We will of course be watching to see how it is implemented, but it is an important step in … Continue Reading
March 29, 2006Udall: 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