Science 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
March 02, 2005Science Committee Democrats Mark the 125th Anniversary of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(Washington, DC) House Science Committee Democrats today recognized the outstanding and enduring contributions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Founded in 1880, ASME last week celebrated its quasquicentennial. The U.S. House marked the occasion during consideration of S.Con.Res. 13 - Congratulating ASME on their 125th anniversary, celebrating the achievements of ASME members, and expressing the gratitude of the American people for ASME's contributions. ASME is a … Continue Reading
February 17, 2005Science Committee Democrats Question NASA on Agency’s Future, Priorities, Workforce
(Washington, DC) The House Science Committee held a hearing today to review the Administration's fiscal year 2006 budget request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Science Committee Democrats expressed support for NASA programs while cautioning that many important existing research activities are being put at risk over the next few years as a result of NASA's proposed new exploration initiative - an initiative that has yet to be fully examined and debated by … Continue Reading
February 16, 2005Rep. Gordon and Rep. Waxman Introduce Legislation to Protect Scientific Integrity
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Bart Gordon, Ranking Democrat on the House Science Committee, joined colleague Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, today in introducing legislation (H.R. 839) to restore scientific integrity to Federal research and policymaking. "Scientific progress occurs when we foster the open exchange of ideas and information," said Rep. Gordon. "We must maintain a culture of openness and freedom of inquiry if we are to … Continue Reading
February 16, 2005Science Committee Democrats: Current Budget Cuts Vital Job and Education Programs, Slows U.S. Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) Top Administration officials testified today before the House Science Committee on the President's proposed fiscal year FY2006 research and development (R&D) budget. Science Committee Democrats continued to admonish the Administration's plan to cut science and technology programs that benefit our economy and help educate our students. "Scientific advancement is one of the keys to U.S. competitiveness in a global marketplace," said Ranking Member Rep. Bart … Continue Reading
February 16, 2005Gordon Continues Fight to Rid Communities of Methamphetamine
(Washington, DC) House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) led a group of bi-partisan colleagues in introducing legislation to develop health-based guidelines for the clean-up of former methamphetamine labs. Fellow Science Committee Member Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) joined Mr. Gordon as co-sponsor of this important legislation. The Gordon/Calvert legislation (H.R. 798) would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with state and local authorities, … Continue Reading
February 09, 2005Science Democrats Select 109th Subcommittee Ranking Members
(Washington, DC) U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) announced the Democratic Subcommittee leadership slate for the 109th Congress, as selected today by the Science Committee Democratic Caucus. "This team of energetic Subcommittee Ranking Members will provide strong Democratic leadership for the Science Committee in the 109th Congress," stated Rep. Gordon. "We look forward to being a powerful voice for the interests of both the science … Continue Reading
February 07, 2005Science Committee Democrats: Failure to Effectively Fund Science and Technology Harms U.S. Competitive Edge
(Washington, DC) Today, the Administration released its budget request for Fiscal Year 2006. A quick review of the requests for civilian science agencies shows that the budget is every bit as devastating as the Science Committee Democrats predicted. Basic research received a $320 million decrease and applied research funding is flat. The federal science and technology budget decreased by $877 million and included cuts to manufacturing technology research, eliminated the Hubble servicing … Continue Reading
February 03, 2005Science Committee Democrats Caution Administration on Lack of Commitment to U.S. Science and Technology Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) With the Federal Budget for FY2006 due out next week, House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon warned that science and technology - vital to U.S. technological growth and economic competitiveness - will likely be severely underfunded in the President’s request. "Scientific advancement is one of the keys to U.S. competitiveness in a global marketplace," said Gordon. "The Administration claims to understand this philosophy, but when the budget emerges we’ll see … Continue Reading
February 02, 2005Science Committee Democrats Urge Administration to Preserve Hubble
(Washington, DC) The House Science Committee today considered the future of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Last year, the NASA Administrator cancelled the SM-4 Shuttle-based Hubble servicing mission. It is now being reported that NASA will eliminate all funds for Hubble servicing in its FY 2006 budget request, which, if true, would all but ensure its demise in the next few years. Hubble - one of the "crown jewels" of America's space science enterprise - has proven a powerful … Continue Reading