Chairman Gordon's Speech Before the European Union Members of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee
Chairman Reul and the esteemed Members of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, thank you for inviting me here today to exchange views with you.I had the opportunity the week before last to have a discussion with President Buzek about EU- US cooperation.After our discussion, he asked me why I was so interested in transatlantic collaboration. I told him because I love my 9 year old daughter and I’m very concerned that she as well as your children or grandchildren could inherit a … Continue Reading
July 01, 2010Subcommittee Discusses Progress in Smart Grid Standards
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on the development of the interoperability standards that will enable the growth of a reliable, efficient, and secure smart grid.“Our nation’s electrical grid has often been called the biggest machine on Earth. With the addition of smart appliances, solar roofing shingles, and networks of communication systems, the grid will become bigger and more complex,” said … Continue Reading
June 29, 2010Interdisciplinary Research- the “New Biology”- Holds Great Potential, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the future of the biological sciences. The trend toward interdisciplinary research--specifically, research at the intersection of the biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences--has been termed “new biology.” The hearing explored the potential that the new biology holds for addressing fundamental problems in … Continue Reading
June 29, 2010Debate Continues as Weather Satellite Program Splits in Two
(Washington, DC) - A hearing was held today before the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight to assess recent organizational changes at the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program. The hearing is the latest in a series, going back to 2003, investigating issues with the vital but perpetually troubled weather monitoring project, and coincides with the release of a new report on the matter from the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2010Members Discuss Focusing on Safety in Deepwater Drilling Research and Development
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to explore technologies, standards, and practices for the prevention and mitigation of oil spills during deepwater oil and natural gas drilling operations. “The Deepwater Horizon tragedy proved that, in this high-stakes game, poor judgment and faulty equipment can bring unimaginable consequences. It is precisely because this incident occurred in 5,000 feet of water … Continue Reading
June 16, 2010Members Discuss Need for Accurate Forecasting to Better Utilize Renewable Energy Resources
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss forecasting data and services necessary to expand reliable, renewable sources of power. The hearing also explored the research, development, demonstration, and monitoring needs in this area that are not currently being adequately addressed. Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, and tides, which are replenished by … Continue Reading
June 11, 2010GAO Recommends Improvements in FAA Plan For Finding Safety Threats in Aviation Data
(Washington, DC) - Expanding its analysis of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) plans to identify threats to aviation safety in masses of data, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported today to the House Committee on Science and Technology that the agency is on the right track in looking at their massive data files for safety trends in the air system in an effort to avoid future accidents. The report, Aviation Safety: Improved Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities are … Continue Reading
June 10, 2010Gordon Comments on Report Released by the American Energy Innovation Council
(Washington, DC) - Today, the American Energy Innovation Council (AEIC) released their detailed recommendations to Congress and the President to revolutionize U.S. energy innovation. The report outlines fundamental changes in U.S. energy innovation to increase American economic competitiveness, diversify our energy sources, and produce more abundant, clean, low-cost energy.This report recommends a dramatic increase in federal investments for energy research and technologies and strongly … Continue Reading
June 10, 2010Entrepreneurial Education and Proof of Concept Funding Will Improve Technology Transfer, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to review the process of transferring knowledge and technology from academic researchers to the private sector. Specifically, the Subcommittee examined the appropriate role of the National Science Foundation (NSF), beyond their support for basic research, including support for entrepreneurial education and proof of concept activities. In addition, the … Continue Reading
June 09, 2010Members, Witnesses Discuss Oil Spill Research, Cleanup Technologies, and the Environment
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to explore the research, development, and technology needs for the recovery of oil and effective cleanup of oil spills.The first panel consisted of the following witnesses from federal agencies: Mr. Douglas Helton from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Captain Anthony Lloyd from the U.S. Coast Guard, Ms. Sharon Buffington from Minerals Management Service, and … Continue Reading
May 28, 2010GAO Reports on Status of Earth Observation Strategy
(Washington, DC) - The Government Accountability Office (GAO),released a report, ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES: Strategy Needed to Sustain Critical Climate and Space Weather Measurements, related to the country's weather satellite systems. GAO reported a continuing lack of plans to provide the full set of weather and climate observations originally intended for our new satellite systems. This report was requested by the Science and Technology Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee … Continue Reading
May 28, 2010Innovation Legislation Clears the House With Bipartisan Support
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 by a vote of 262 to 150. The bill, which has over 100 cosponsors and more than 750 endorsers,makes investments in science, innovation, and education to support employers today while strengthening the U.S. scientific and economic leadership to grow new industries of tomorrow, and the jobs that come with them. “If we are to reverse the trend of the last twenty years, where … Continue Reading
May 27, 2010Standards Needed to Ensure Interoperability in Public Safety Communications Equipment, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review the status of interoperability for public safety communications systems that enable first responders from multiple agencies and jurisdictions to communicate. Specifically, the hearing discussed the status of the technical standards for public safety land mobile radio (LMR) systems. "We've learned an important lesson from September 11th, Hurricane … Continue Reading
May 26, 2010Committee Reviews, Questions NASA’s Proposed Human Spaceflight Plan
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine the proposed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Human Spaceflight Plan and to review issues related to the budget, cost, schedule, and potential impacts of the plan. Testimony was given by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong, Apollo 17 Commander Capt. Eugene Cernan, and former executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Thomas … Continue Reading
May 25, 2010Subcommittee Releases GAO Survey of Food Safety Efforts at FDA
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Science and Technology Committee's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) released a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that surveyed the state of science used in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) mission to keep America's food supply safe. GAO found progress in better harnessing science and expert advice to protect American consumers. However, GAO also found that FDA faces continuing challenges in modernizing … Continue Reading
May 20, 2010Subcommittee Investigates CDC’s Environmental Health Policies and Practices, Provides Agency with Roadmap for the Future
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the policies and procedures used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR). NCEH and ATSDR serve as the CDC’s experts in performing environmental health evaluations. Specifically, Subcommittee Members reviewed the agency’s ability to … Continue Reading
May 19, 2010Science Innovation Legislation Receives Bipartisan Support, but Does Not Garner the Two-Thirds Majority Required
(Washington, DC) - Today, although H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, received bipartisan support of the majority of Members present, it failed to garner the two-thirds required for bills considered as a suspension. “I’m disappointed, but not deterred,”said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “As I’ve said before, this bill is too important to let fall by the way-side. More than half of our economic growth since World War II can be directly attributed to … Continue Reading
May 19, 2010Chairman Gordon's Floor Speech on H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.The bill before us today, H.R. 5325 is almost an exact duplicate of the bill the House considered last week, H.R. 5116, including all 52 amendments adopted during floor consideration last week. However, the bill differs in two respects: (1) It includes language from the motion to recommit offered by the gentleman from Texas baring money from going to agency employees who are disciplined for viewing pornography at work; … Continue Reading
May 19, 2010Committee Examines Research and Development Plans for Nuclear Energy
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine research and development (R&D) options to advance clean and affordable nuclear energy technology. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently released its Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap which provides an outline of the Administration’s nuclear innovation strategy. “I believe nuclear power is a part of the solution to the challenges of energy … Continue Reading
May 18, 2010COMPETES To Be Reintroduced, On House Floor On Wednesday
(Washington, DC) -Today, House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) willintroduceThe America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. The bill is expected to be considered under suspension tomorrow. Bills considered under suspension cannot be amended and need to pass with support from two-thirds of those present, rather than a simple majority. The bill is identical to H.R. 5116 with two exceptions: it reduces the authorization period from … Continue Reading