Bush Administration's Dubious Milestone
On May 19, historians and science policy buffs quietly observed the 20th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's appointment of George Keyworth II as the White House Science Adviser. That anniversary is notable primarily because it was the slowest appointment of a Science Adviser by any President in history. Bill Clinton, for instance, appointed John Gibbons a mere four days after his inauguration. Yesterday, George W. Bush eclipsed the Reagan record. More than four months into his administration, … Continue Reading
May 09, 2001Science Committee Members Blast GOP Budget for Inadequately Funding Science
Three House Democrats who serve on both the Budget Committee and the Science Committee expressed disappointment at the low level of funding for science agencies in the Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution Conference Report. The Conference Report was adopted today in the House by a vote of 221-207. "I am deeply troubled that the Republican budget significantly lowers funding for scientific research at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and NASA," said Rep. Mike … Continue Reading
May 03, 2001Hall Introduces Comprehensive Science and Engineering Education Legislation for the 21st Century
Rep. Ralph M. Hall (D-TX), the Ranking Minority Member of the House Science Committee, today introduced legislation designed to improve K-12 science and mathematics education in the nation's schools. The Science Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 1693) would - Establish programs to improve the training and professional development of science and math teachers; Institute programs to use information technologies more effectively in the classroom; Authorize programs to … Continue Reading
April 10, 2001House Staff Analysis Finds Uneven Support for Federal Research & Development Programs in President's Budget
The House Science Committee Democratic staff today released its analysis of the President's FY2002 budget request for R&D programs, which highlights substantial departures from the Clinton Administration's overall policies for R&D. Four major themes emerge from the analysis: The trend toward parity between defense and non-defense R&D, nearly achieved in FY 2001, has ended; The existing imbalance between biomedical R&D and R&D in the physical sciences has become … Continue Reading
April 05, 2001Bill Introduced by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Would Double National Science Foundation Funding
A bill to double funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) was introduced on Wednesday (April 4) by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). The bill (H.R. 1472) provides for 15 percent annual increases in the NSF budget for FY 2002-2005 which, together with the 13 percent increase for the current fiscal year, would double NSF's budget over the period 2001-2005. The increases provided for in the bill will allow NSF to go forward with substantial new and ongoing initiatives in information … Continue Reading
March 16, 2001House Science Committee Democrats Support Funding Increases for R&D Programs
Today, the House Science Committee Democrats laid out a program of funding increases for civilian research and development programs in Fiscal Year 2002. All 21 Democratic members joined in signing the document. House Committees are required to submit their Views and Estimates to the Budget Committee as a part of the preparation of the Budget … Continue Reading
March 08, 2001Science Committee Holds Hearing on K-12th Grade Math and Science Education
The House Science Committee held a hearing yesterday to ask classroom teachers how the Federal Government can help improve kindergarten through Grade 12 science and math education. Three of the four teachers who testified are current winners of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest commendation for K-12th grade math and science teachers. Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) noted during the hearing the difficulty of getting math and science … Continue Reading
March 07, 2001Science Democrats Select Subcommittees
Democrats on the House Science Committee today selected their subcommittees, and the Full Committee unanimously adopted a resolution approving the Democratic action, thus completing the Committee's organizational process. The process was suspended on February 14 to seek guidance from the Caucus on the status of several Members with temporary assignments to the Committee. Today the Members made the following subcommittee selections: Research: Bob Etheridge, NC; Steve Israel, NY; Lynn Rivers, … Continue Reading
March 01, 2001Science Committee Democrat Questions Administration Budget Priorities
A senior Member of the House Science Committee expressed concern today at the release of the Bush Administration's preliminary budget. Lynn Rivers (D-MI) said, "This budget request remains sketchy, but what we do know suggests that our science programs will not receive adequate support from the Bush Administration." Rivers continued, "The President is to be congratulated for understanding how important health research is at NIH - keeping that agency on track to double its … Continue Reading
February 28, 2001Udall Resolution Honoring NIST Wins Approval
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a resolution by Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) and Congresswoman Connie Morella (R-MD) honoring the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on its 100th anniversary. The City of Boulder, which is located in Udall's congressional district, is home to one of the nation's two NIST laboratories. "NIST has grown to become a vital arm of the Department of Commerce's Technology Administration. In its first one hundred years, NIST … Continue Reading
February 15, 2001House Passes Electronic Commerce Enhancement Act
Yesterday the House passed legislation designed to improve electronic commerce, especially for small businesses. The bill (H.R. 524) was sponsored by Rep. James Barcia (D-MI). The Electronic Commerce Enhancement Act will direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to use its Manufacturing Extension Program as an outreach platform for working with small manufacturers to assess their e-commerce needs and provide expert guidance on how best to use these emerging … Continue Reading
February 07, 2001Hall Objects to Tourists During Space Station Assembly
Today, the Honorable Ralph M. Hall (D-TX) sent a letter to NASA Administrator Dan Goldin indicating Hall's strong objection to the flight of a "space tourist" to the International Space Station during its assembly phase. Hall's letter was occasioned by reports that a private citizen might buy his way onto a Space Station mission with a cash payment of $20 million. Hall has asked that NASA provide information regarding whether a meeting of the ISS Board had considered this matter … Continue Reading
September 27, 2000House Passes H.R. 4429, the Electronic Commerce Enhancement Act
Yesterday the House passed legislation designed to improve electronic commerce, especially for our small businesses. H.R. 4429, the Electronic Commerce Enhancement Act, directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to use its Manufacturing Extension Program as an outreach platform to help small manufacturers in assessing their e-commerce needs and to provide expert guidance on how best to use these emerging technologies. H.R. 4429, as passed, also includes sections of … Continue Reading
September 14, 2000NASA Authorization Conference Report Passes the House
The House today approved the conference report for H.R. 1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000. The bill authorizes appropriations of $42.4 billion for the fiscal years 2000 through 2002. Rep. Ralph M. Hall (TX), Ranking Democratic Member on the Science Committee, reacted to the House passage of the conference report: "We hope that the Senate will expeditiously pass, and the President will then sign, this conference report. It has been too long since the authorizing committees in the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2000Hall Expresses Disappointment in NSF, NASA Funding Levels for 2001
On Wednesday, the House adopted H.R. 4635, the Veterans, Housing and Independent Agencies Appropriation. This bill is important to the science community because it provides funding for both the National Science Foundation and National Aeronautics and Space Administration for FY2001. NSF was appropriated $508 million less than requested by the agency while NASA's appropriation fell short by $322 million. Ralph M. Hall (D-TX), ranking Democrat on the Science Committee, voted against the bill … Continue Reading
May 25, 2000House Approves Udall Legislation to Encourage Biomass as Energy Source
Congress today approved a measure that included provisions from a bill sponsored by Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO), a member of the House Science Committee, which establishes a coordinated interagency research and development program in the use of biomass for the production of energy, fuels and other products. The provisions were included in Title III of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act, a bill that lowers the cost to farmers of obtaining Federal crop insurance. "Last year, I … Continue Reading
May 04, 2000Rep. Mike Doyle's "Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act" Signed Into Law by President Clinton
President Clinton signed the "Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act" into law yesterday, establishing a new Federal commitment to developing this plentiful, clean-burning energy source. U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-18-PA) wrote and introduced the bill (H.R. 1753) which directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Federal research and development program and authorizes $47.5 million over five years to fund this effort. "I commend Rep. Mike Doyle for his sponsorship … Continue Reading
March 08, 2000Rep. Gordon Welcomes NRC Triana Program Review
Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN), ranking Democratic Member on the Space Subcommittee, released the following statement this afternoon: "I am pleased that the National Research Council's review of the Triana program has validated my belief that Triana is an exciting and scientifically meritorious mission that is worthy of support. The NRC task force is to be commended for its thoughtful and objective assessment of the Triana project. With this positive report on Triana's merits and … Continue Reading
February 15, 2000Congressman Hoeffel Offers Amendment to Ensure Access to the Internet by Elderly and Disabled Americans
Congressman Joseph Hoeffel (D-PA) today offered an amendment to the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development bill (H.R. 2086) that directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study designed to identify barriers to the use of information technologies for elderly and disabled Americans. The amendment also provides that the Academy identify research needed to remove those barriers and provide guidance on changes in law, policy or regulation to speed the removal of … Continue Reading
January 21, 2000Congressman Hall Welcomes New S&T Initiative
In a speech at the California Institute of Technology, the President unveiled science and technology program highlights from the administration's FY2001 budget submission. Among the agencies slated for an increase are the National Institutes of Health, which would receive a $1 billion increase, and the National Science Foundation, which would receive a $675 million increase - 17% above the current funding level. These increases would expand investments in health research, … Continue Reading