Rep. Udall Introduces Legislation To Preserve U.S. Prominence In Aeronautics
(Washington, DC) America's aeronautics research and development is an enterprise in crisis. Confirmed by numerous studies and reviews over the last few years - most recently by expert witnesses before the House Science Committee on March 16, 2005 - the need for a strong and innovative U.S. aeronautics R&D program is greater than ever. "Progress in aeronautics is crucial to the health of the nation's air transportation industry, an industry that is vital to the continued strength of … Continue Reading
May 04, 2005Democrats Committed to Protecting American Jobs
(Washington, DC) The Committee on Science today cleared three bills for final House consideration. In addition to H.R. 1674 and H.R. 921, H.R. 250 - the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act - was under consideration. Committee Democrats attempted to amend this bill that falls far short of its goal to reinvigorate U.S. manufacturing. "H.R. 250 could be the vehicle to lend support to our small manufacturers, endorse an economy of innovation, offer better training to our workers … Continue Reading
April 28, 2005Udall Introduces House Resolution Honoring the 15th Anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope
(Washington, DC) Today Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO), Ranking Member of the Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, will introduce a House Resolution marking the 15th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope. The Hubble has been an invaluable tool in not only advancing science's understanding of space, but also in inspiring future scientists. The resolution honors Hubble's scientific contributions as well as the countless scientists, engineers, civil servants and individuals who … Continue Reading
April 28, 2005Democrats Decry Budget Cuts, Lack of Clear Direction in NASA’s Earth Science Program
(Washington, DC) While the House Committee on Science heard a relatively upbeat assessment from NASA Assistant Administrator Alphonso Diaz on the state of the agency's Earth Science programs today, the co-chair of the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences - and other noted researchers - presented a far more sobering picture. "The bottom line appears to be that NASA's Earth Science program faces the prospect of being marginalized in the coming years as the … Continue Reading
April 27, 2005Democrats Caution Against Cuts to Vital Energy R&D Programs
(Washington, DC) Today, the U.S. House Committee on Science Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing examining the fiscal year 2006 budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE) civilian research and development programs. The witnesses at today's hearing consisted solely of Administration officials representing five core DOE civilian R&D programs. They included the director of the Office of Science as well as four representatives from offices that run applied research programs. … Continue Reading
April 26, 2005Science Committee Legislation Clears House
(Washington, DC) Committee Democrats marked final passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of three bills considered and approved by the Committee on Science. H.R. 28, H.R. 1158 and H.Con.Res. 96 advance to the U.S. Senate today after passage by voice vote. H.R. 28, the High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 2005, amends the bipartisan High Performance Computing Act of 1991. The original legislation was instrumental in getting the various Departments of the Executive Branch … Continue Reading
April 20, 2005Science Committee Democrats Explore Future of Commercial Space Flight
The House Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today heard from a number of experts on the commercial space industry. Research and development in this arena has led to launch vehicles and satellites that provide services from weather forecasting to home entertainment. The future of the industry and the government role in that future was the focus of today's hearing. "Members on both sides of the aisle have long agreed on the importance of a healthy and robust … Continue Reading
April 14, 2005Gordon, Udall Commend Fast Action on NASA Administrator Confirmation
(Washington, DC) Last evening, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Michael Griffin to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) today welcomed Dr. Griffin and look forward to his presence before the Committee in the near future. "Fast action by the U.S. Senate to confirm Dr. Griffin is a … Continue Reading
April 14, 2005Science Committee Democrats Recognize Outstanding Math and Science Teachers
(Washington, DC) - In recognition of the outstanding contributions of America's teachers, the House Science Committee today convened a hearing with winners of the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). "There is no more important job than the one these teachers perform everyday," stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). As the son of two teachers, I understand and admire the great contribution these men and women are making in the … Continue Reading
April 13, 2005Science Committee Democrats Work to Expand Green Chemistry Legislation
(Washington, DC) The U.S. House Science Committee today considered H.R. 1215, Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2005. The practice of "green chemistry" aims to examine the products and processes that will eliminate hazardous materials in the workplace while increasing efficiency and product quality. This bill previously passed the House in the 108th Congress. "We all support the goal of encouraging more efficient manufacturing of safer products," stated … Continue Reading
April 01, 2005GAO Criticizes Agency Conflict of Interest in Research Agreements
(Washington, DC) Today, House Science Committee Members Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Mark Udall (D-CO) released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report critical of two research agreements between Federal agencies and industry. GAO found that both the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had failed to take appropriate steps to evaluate the conflict-of-interest potential inherent in their respective … Continue Reading
March 17, 2005Gordon Methamphetamine Clean-Up Bill Advances
(Washington, DC) The Science Committee has cleared the way for final U.S. House consideration of legislation designed to combat the production and spread of the highly addictive drug methamphetamine, or "meth." H.R. 798, the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005, sponsored by Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Committee Chairman Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), received unanimous committee approval today. "I'm encouraged that this bill is moving … Continue Reading
March 17, 2005Davis, Lipinski and Johnson Work to Pass Science Legislation
(Washington, DC) Today, the House Science Committee passed bills authorizing high performance computing research, research into energy conservation technologies to support the steel and aluminum industries, and a tribute to the scientific contributions of African-American women. All three bills enjoyed broad bipartisan support. H.R. 28, the High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 2005, amends the bipartisan High Performance Computing Act of 1991. The original legislation was … Continue Reading
March 16, 2005Udall: Aeronautics Research Key to Nation’s Economy, Security, Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) Today, the House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held its first hearing of the 109th Congress to consider the future of aeronautics at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Congress recognized the value of Federally-sponsored research and development in aeronautics, making it one of NASA's core missions at the agency's establishment in 1958. Over the years, NASA's aeronautics research has given America the tools to reduce aircraft noise and … Continue Reading
March 15, 2005Wu: Bill Advances to Protect Children and First Responders From Methamphetamine
Washington, D.C. - Congressman David Wu, Ranking Member of the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, issued the following statement in support of the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005 (H.R. 798), which was approved by the subcommittee today: "Meth abuse and production in the U.S. has grown to epidemic proportions during the past five years. Meth creates havoc in our local communities - stretching thin our law enforcement and community service … Continue Reading
March 11, 2005Science Committee Democrats Welcome NASA Administrator Nominee
(Washington, DC) Science Committee Democrats commented today on the announced nomination of Dr. Michael D. Griffin as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) said, "I am pleased with the President's nomination of Dr. Michael Griffin to be the next NASA Administrator. He has earned a reputation for technical expertise, managerial competence, and integrity. He will need all of those attributes in his new … Continue Reading
March 09, 2005Hooley: Research Budget Threatens Economic Growth, Innovation at Local Universities
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR), Ranking Democrat of the House Science Subcommittee on Research, today called the President's fiscal year 2006 budget for the National Science Foundation (NSF) shortsighted and inadequate for our country's basic research needs, and vowed to fight to restore critical education funding proposed for a cut in NSF's budget. The White House budget falls $3 billion short of the funding level for FY2006 authorized by Congress and signed into law … Continue Reading
March 08, 2005Gordon Joins Tech Community in Advocating for Greater Research Investment
(Washington, DC) Speaking before a group of this country's technology and innovation business leaders, Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) today urged CEOs to reject the Administration's under-funded research and development budget. "I don't have to remind this crowd that scientific advancement is one of the keys to U.S. competitiveness in a global marketplace," stated Gordon during the meeting on Capitol Hill with TechNet - a bipartisan political network of … Continue Reading
March 07, 2005Science Committee Bi-Partisan "Views and Estimates" Budget Submission Highlights Inadequacy of Administration’s R&D Budget Request
(Washington, DC) Today, the Science Committee submitted bipartisan Views and Estimates to the Budget Committee. In the past, the Democrats have written and submitted separate Views and Estimates as a critique. However, the Administration's FY2006 research and development budget request elicited such universal concern that Democrats could comfortably support the Republican-drafted document. "Views and Estimates are a means for our committee to influence the budget process," said … Continue Reading
March 03, 2005Science Committee Democrats Work to Clean Up Methamphetamine, Aid Local Communities
(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House Science Committee examined an insidious and growing problem in the United States - the production and dangers posed by the highly addictive drug methamphetamine, or "meth." The Committee focused on H.R. 798, the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005, sponsored by Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Committee Chairman Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY). "Meth use has reached epidemic … Continue Reading