Gordon: Exploration Plan Faces Significant Budgetary Hurdles
U.S. House Committee on Science Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following comment regarding the exploration plan proposed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) today. Rep. Gordon was among the Members of Congress briefed by NASA on Friday in advance of the agency's formal public announcement of its Exploration Systems Architecture Study on Monday. "Administrator Griffin is to be commended for constructing what appears to be a good, sensible … Continue Reading
September 15, 2005Science Dems: Much Work Still to Be Done to Construct Secure, Reliable Cyber-Infrastructure
A full Committee hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Science today examined the current state of our country's cyber-infrastructure. "Today's hearing had two important purposes," said Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "To assess progress in improving the security of computer systems on which critical industries rely and to explore why progress has been so slow." Witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security and private industry briefed Committee Members on … Continue Reading
September 12, 2005Science Democrats Work to Bring Math/Science Resources Direct to Teachers, Students
The Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House Committee on Science today unveiled a new, one-stop-shop educational resource for Mathematics and Science teachers across the country. The home for Science Committee Democrats on the web - https://sciencedems.house.gov - has been retooled and refocused. Not only can the public now gain access to Committee activities, but students, teachers, schools and universities can also look to the site for entry to a clearinghouse of federal science and math … Continue Reading
September 09, 2005Gordon, Udall Thank Departing NASA Deputy Administrator
U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) released the following statement regarding the resignation of NASA Deputy Administrator Fred Gregory: "We want to express our deep appreciation to Deputy Administrator Gregory for his decades of distinguished service to our nation. His record is impressive: decorated pilot in the U.S. Air Force, NASA astronaut, not to mention numerous positions … Continue Reading
August 09, 2005Welcome Home, Discovery
(Washington, DC) U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) this morning applauded NASA's team and flight crew on the completion of the first Return-to-Flight mission. Space Shuttle Discovery landed at the Edwards Air Force Base this morning at 8:12 a.m. EDT. "I congratulate Commander Collins and the crew of STS-114 on a job well done. The crew of Discovery and their amazing support team on the ground had a challenging assignment and they … Continue Reading
July 26, 2005Science Democrats: Great Day for NASA and Shuttle Discovery
(Washington, DC) U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (TN) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Udall (CO) today praised the NASA crew, scientists and support staff on a successful return to flight with the Space Shuttle Discovery. "Seems the second time's the charm today," said Rep. Gordon. "Our prayers are with Commander Collins and her crew these next 12 days as they work to complete their mission and return home … Continue Reading
July 22, 2005Bipartisan Compromise Yields Positive Results for NASA
(Washington, DC) Intense, constructive negotiations produced NASA Authorization legislation that today received widespread bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 3070, the NASA Authorization Act of 2005 passed by a vote of 383-15. "We've come a long way with regard to providing clear policy and funding direction in this bill," stated House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "The large margin of passage today reflects the House's … Continue Reading
July 21, 2005Stagnant Federal R&D Budget Threatens Tomorrow's American Workers
(Washington, DC) Just a few weeks ago, Science Committee Democrats hosted the first in a series of roundtable discussions to look at supply and demand for the U.S. science and technology workforce, including the effects of off-shoring. Today, the full House Science Committee underscored the importance of such action with a hearing on U.S. competitiveness and challenges to innovation. "Several things became clear during our recent Democratic Roundtable," stated event co-host Rep. … Continue Reading
July 21, 2005Gordon, Democrats Call on EPA Administrator to Clarify Legal Status of Human Pesticide Studies
(Washington, DC) Four Democratic Members of the House Science Committee questioned the legality of the human pesticide studies the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to consider in setting safety standards for pesticide use. Democrats described the current process for evaluating studies involving human subjects "seriously deficient." In a letter this week to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, Committee Democrats urged the Agency to move "expeditiously to … Continue Reading
July 20, 2005Science Dems: Hydrogen Economy Must be Coordinated Effort
(Washington, DC) The Subcommittees on Energy and Research of the House Science Committee teamed up today to hear from experts on the potential of a "hydrogen economy." In a time of rising gasoline prices and increasing fuel demands, the joint subcommittee hearing convened to assess progress of Federal research and industry advances into the use of hydrogen as a primary transportation fuel - specifically, whether the Administration's R&D investment portfolio in this area is … Continue Reading
July 14, 2005Science Democrats Forge NASA Compromise That's Credible, Practical and Conferenceable
(Washington, DC) Science Committee Democrats today joined their Republican colleagues to support a significantly improved H.R. 3070, the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. When the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee marked up the legislation in late June, Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) expressed considerable concerns that the Democratic Caucus of the Committee had about the bill as introduced. Democrats voted … Continue Reading
July 13, 2005Science Democrats Introduce NASA Reauthorization Act of 2005
(Washington, DC) Tuesday evening, House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and the entire Democratic Caucus of the Committee introduced The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3250) - their alternative to H.R. 3070, NASA Reauthorization legislation introduced by Science Committee Republicans. The multi-year Democratic alternative lays out clear and directed priorities for the space agency. It provides the resources needed to move forward on the Moon-Mars mission … Continue Reading
July 12, 2005Honda: Administration’s Nuclear Power Plan Lacks Solution to Nuclear Waste Problem
(Washington, DC) Today, the Energy Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Science examined the economic realities of domestic nuclear fuel reprocessing technologies as well as the impact reprocessing would have on energy efficiency, nuclear waste management and weapons proliferation. Witnesses before the Subcommittee represented a range of viewpoints on the economics of nuclear reprocessing. As Marvin Fertel of the Nuclear Energy Institute pointed out in his testimony, "Future … Continue Reading
June 29, 2005Democrats Withhold Support From NASA Authorization Bill
(Washington, DC) The House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today gave initial consideration to H.R. 3070 - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005. At today's subcommittee markup, nearly all Subcommittee Democrats withheld their support from the NASA Authorization bill drafted by the Majority, citing significant concerns with the bill's content as well as with the lack of time they were given to review the legislation. Both the … Continue Reading
June 29, 2005Hooley: U.S. Must Maintain Lead in Nanotechnology Research
(Washington, DC) The Subcommittee on Research of the U.S. House Science Committee held a hearing today to further explore the federal research and development role in the emerging field of nanotechnology. The Subcommittee heard from Mr. Floyd Kvamme, the co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), industry witnesses and from an organization that has done international assessments of technology. Mr. Kvamme was due to appear before last month's … Continue Reading
June 28, 2005Wu: Congress Should Ensure SBIR Program Continues To Support High-Tech Small Business Sector
(Washington, DC) Today, the House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards reviewed the popular Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The Subcommittee's specific focus was the issue of venture capital investment in small businesses which participate in SBIR. Currently, SBIR regulations allow small businesses with venture capital investment to participate in the program only if the venture capital investor is a minority investor (less than 51%). Today's … Continue Reading
June 28, 2005Democrats Appreciate Griffin’s Candor, Still Seek Answers on Agency Plans
(Washington, DC) NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin appeared today before the House Science Committee to explain his plans for the agency's future. In his first testimony before the Committee since being named to the Administrator's post in April, Dr. Griffin fielded a wide range of questions. Democrats continued to sound the alarm on budget realities facing NASA and pressed for an explanation of what they mean for the agency's exploration initiative and core programs. Dr. Griffin made … Continue Reading
June 23, 2005Democrats Work to Stem Science and Technology Job Losses
Today, Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) hosted the first in a series of bipartisan discussions on realities facing the science and technology industry and our U.S. workers. "America's human resources are the basis of our innovation capabilities and these underpin our economic strength and national security," stated Rep. Gordon. Expert panelists from industry and academia addressed current challenges regarding the continued … Continue Reading
June 14, 2005Udall: ISS Program, Research Yields Groundbreaking Knowledge
(Washington, DC) Members of the House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics had the unique opportunity today to discuss life and research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with NASA expedition flight engineers. One witness - Dr. John Phillips, ISS Expedition 11 Flight Engineer/Science Officer - testified live and direct from Earth's orbit aboard the ISS, a first in Congressional history. Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) expressed personal … Continue Reading
June 08, 2005Science Democrats: U.S. Must Take Action to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Improve Energy Efficiency
(Washington, DC) The House Committee on Science today heard from U.S. businesses who have implemented energy efficient practices and manufacturing process changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The Committee applauded the voluntary actions of these businesses for taking the lead even in the absence of mandatory requirements. "To their credit, forward-thinking companies like United Technologies and DuPont understand that these steps can help them reduce energy costs and allay … Continue Reading