Johnson and Jackson Lee Release Letter to EPA on EEO Processes
Today, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), ranking Member on the Research Subcommittee, and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), a senior Member of the Committee, sent a letter to Acting Administrator Horinko encouraging the agency to redouble its efforts in the fair and timely disposition of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) cases. Specifically, they direct EPA to: undertake testing of the reliability of a new data tracking system deployed by EPA for EEO cases; finalize procedures for EEO … Continue Reading
July 25, 2003Congressman Hall Moves to Address Astronaut Safety
Today, Congressman Ralph Hall (D-TX), Ranking Member on the Committee, offered an amendment to the NASA funding bill (H.R. 2861, the VA-HUD-Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for 2004) that will force NASA to conduct studies of how to improve crew survivability for Space Shuttle astronauts. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. Hall noted that, "The sad reality is that seventeen years after the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, the loss of a Space Shuttle still means that … Continue Reading
July 24, 2003Mark Udall: Administration's Climate Research Plan Inadequate
(Washington DC) - Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) said that the Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCSP) released today is an indication of the Bush Administration's avoidance of the real problems presented by global change. "The research proposed by the Strategic Plan is fine as far as it goes. But the Plan doesn't reflect a broad consultative process among non-scientists and it doesn't help us to reduce our vulnerability to present and future global changes," said Udall. The CCSP aims … Continue Reading
July 22, 2003Committee Bill Fails to Deal with Safety and Vision at NASA
Science Committee Democrats today opposed passage of H.R. 1085, the NASA Workforce bill, in the Committee's markup of the legislation. Led by Ranking Democrat Ralph Hall (D-TX) and Ranking Space Subcommittee Member Bart Gordon (D-TN), Democrats argued that moving a workforce bill prior to receipt of the Gehman Board report was premature and unnecessary. Gehman's report is due in August and the full House cannot take up a NASA workforce bill until sometime in September. More importantly, … Continue Reading
June 26, 2003Ranking Democrat Gordon Opposes Passage of NASA Workforce Bill
Earlier today, the Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics passed by voice vote H.R. 1085, a bill designed to provide NASA with management flexibility over its work force. Bart Gordon (D-TN), Ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee, opposed the bill: "I'm disappointed that we didn't wait for the Columbia Accident Investigation Board to report before marking up NASA workforce legislation," Gordon said. "Admiral Gehman has made it clear that workforce and management issues … Continue Reading
June 13, 2003Science Committee Reaches Agreement on Access to Columbia Accident Investigation Board Documents and Interviews
The Committee on Science of the House of Representatives has reached an agreement with the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) to obtain access to the documents and interviews conducted by the Board during its investigation into the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003. Letters from CAIB Chairman Admiral H.W. Gehman to the Committee, and the bipartisan response from Committee Chairman Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-NY) and Ranking Democratic Member Ralph M. Hall (D-TX), may be … Continue Reading
June 12, 2003Plans Remain Unclear for Maintaining Space Station Without Shuttle
NASA does not have clear plans for maintaining the International Space Station (ISS) if the Space Shuttle remains grounded for an extended period of time, a key Congressional panel learned today. The testimony came at a Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on U.S. - Russian cooperation in space. Russia will fly Soyuz missions through the fall of 2003 to maintain operations on the ISS. However, NASA's plans after that remain vague. John Schumacher, NASA Assistant Administrator for … Continue Reading
May 08, 2003Science Committee Democrats Unconvinced of Orbital Space Plane Rationale
The House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee held a hearing today on NASA's proposed Integrated Space Transportation Plan and the Orbital Space Plane (OSP) program in particular. It was the first opportunity for focused Congressional review of the OSP proposal since NASA first submitted its plan last November. Witnesses included Hon. Fred Gregory, the NASA Deputy Administrator; Hon. Dale Myers, former NASA Deputy Administrator; Dr. Jerry Grey, Director of Science and Technology Policy for … Continue Reading
May 06, 2003Remarks by the Hon. Lynn Woolsey on the Future of Hydrogen Energy
Thank you for the invitation to discuss the future of hydrogen energy. As our country debates a national energy policy and also strives toward greater energy independence, it's smart public policy to include the development of hydrogen energy as part of the debate and part of our national energy priorities. My home state of California, and especially the Bay area district I represent - Marin and Sonoma counties, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco - are keenly aware of the need … Continue Reading
May 06, 2003Woolsey Speaks at Symposium About Benefits of Hydrogen Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Committee Member Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) spoke at the National Press Club as part of the U.S. Hydrogen Energy Coalition's Symposium for Professionals. The topic of discussion was "The Future of Hydrogen Energy." The Congresswoman discussed the importance of investing in hydrogen energy made from clean, renewable sources. The following are Rep. Woolsey's words as prepared for the symposium: "Thank you for the invitation to discuss the future of … Continue Reading
April 03, 2003Costello & Calvert Amendment on External Regulation of Department of Energy Civilian Labs Added to Energy Bill
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) succeeded in adding an amendment to the Science Committee's version of national energy policy legislation (H.R. 238) that would provide for external regulation of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) civilian laboratories. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would take over regulation of the civilian energy labs after a two-year transition period. "This … Continue Reading
March 27, 2003Rep. Hall: NASA Needs to Heed ASAP's Call for a Shuttle Crew Escape System
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), chartered by Congress in 1967 to act as an independent body advising NASA on safety issues, released its annual report on Tuesday, March 25th. The report, which was finished before the Columbia accident, nevertheless focused on a number of Shuttle safety issues. In particular, the ASAP stated that "...the Panel reemphasizes the need for a crew escape system. The [Space Shuttle] program has not committed to the implementation of such a … Continue Reading
March 24, 2003House Budget Resolution Mandates Large Cuts in Non-Defense Research and Development
When it was released last month, the President's FY 2004 budget for civilian R&D was so tightfisted that it drew strong criticism from the senior Republican leadership of the Science Committee. But the Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 95), passed last week with the votes of this same leadership, is even less generous for R&D than the President's budget. The House budget includes, at a minimum, a 2.9 percent across-the-board cut to the President's tight request. In many areas, the … Continue Reading
March 05, 2003Democrats Release Their Views and Estimates Report
Representative Ralph M. Hall (D-TX), ranking Democrat on the Science Committee, today released the Democrats' Views and Estimates report. This report, required annually by the Budget Act, is designed to provide guidance to the Budget Committee for funding of science and technology programs in the annual budget process. The report, which is in part a response to the Committee Republican Views and Estimates Report and in part to the Bush Administration's budget request, makes four points: … Continue Reading
February 27, 2003Science Committee Democrats Express Concerns About NASA’s Budget and Programs
Senior Democrats on the House Science Committee made a number of recommendations after hearing testimony on NASA's fiscal year 2004 budget request today from Administrator Sean O'Keefe. At the hearing, O'Keefe discussed NASA's plans for maintaining the Space Station in light of the Columbia accident, discussed program cuts and enhancements contained in the FY04 budget submission, and responded to questions regarding NASA's role in the ongoing Columbia investigation. Rep. Ralph M. Hall … Continue Reading
February 04, 2003Science Committee Democrats React to Administration Budget
Senior Members of the House Science Committee offered the following comments on the President's FY2004 budget request. On NASA… "The NASA budget request has been rendered irrelevant in its broad contours by the events of this past weekend. Before we move forward on NASA, we need to understand the policy implications of the Columbia tragedy. I feel strongly that NASA needs to adequately fund its existing activities before embarking on expensive new initiatives." Rep. Bart … Continue Reading
January 31, 2003Lofgren and Hall Endorse DOE's International Fusion Program
Yesterday, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced that the U.S. government would join negotiations for the construction and operation of a major international magnetic fusion research project, known as the International Thermonuclear Energy Reactor (ITER). Science Committee Member Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ranking Minority Member Ralph Hall (D-TX) commended the Administration's decision yesterday to rejoin participation in the development of the ITER project. Ms. Lofgren … Continue Reading
January 29, 2003Lofgren Leads Committee Effort on ITER
Signaling a renewed commitment to fusion energy research, Members of the House Committee on Science urged the Secretary of Energy to take steps towards participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). "Investments in alternative energy sources are vital to the future economic and environmental interests of the United States. We must lead the effort to develop fusion as a source of energy," said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). "U.S. participation … Continue Reading
October 22, 2002Rep. Hall Releases O'Keefe's Responses on Crew Return Plans for the Space Station
Rep. Ralph M. Hall [D-TX] made the following comments today after releasing an exchange of correspondence with NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe regarding NASA's planned termination of the X-38/CRV (Crew Return Vehicle) project: "I am releasing these letters so that the space community will be better informed about NASA's plans and intentions. While many of the responses in the Administrator's letter are vague and cite ongoing reviews, there are several items of note in his letter: … Continue Reading
October 21, 2002Barcia and Rivers Release GAO Report on H-1B Skills Training Grants
Today, Representatives Jim Barcia (D-MI) and Lynn Rivers (D-MI), senior Members of the Science Committee, released a GAO report on the effectiveness of the Department of Labor's skill grant training program. This program, funded from H-1B visa fees paid by sponsoring employers, was created in 1998 and designed to improve the general technical skills of American workers. GAO found that the program has generally been effective in training both unemployed and currently employed workers to enhance … Continue Reading