Chairman Gordon Introduces COMPETES
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced HR 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.“The recent economic crisis has reminded us of the importance of our economic competitiveness. Investments in science, innovation, and education will help ensure that the U.S. maintains our scientific and economic leadership long into the future. I also believe that investing in research and development will add … Continue Reading
April 22, 2010Subcommittee Investigates the Shrinking Global Supply of Helium-3
(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to investigate the causes and consequences of the shrinking supply of the important helium-3 isotope. Helium-3 is a non-radioactive gas that is a by-product of the Department of Energy (DOE)'s production of tritium for nuclear weapons. It also is an essential component of neutron detectors used in a wide range of applications from radiation portal monitors at the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2010Subcommittee Approves Legislation to be Rolled into COMPETES
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a markupand favorably reported a Committee Print of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010. The Committee Print was comprised of legislative language fromH.R. 5074, introduced by Subcommittee Chairman David Wu (D-OR). “This new bill moves us forward to focus NIST on creating jobs, supporting competitiveness, and … Continue Reading
April 21, 2010Science and Technology Committee Wins Platinum Mouse Award for Best Committee Website in the 111th Congress
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) awarded the House Committee on Science and Technology the Platinum Mouse Award for designing and maintaining the best committee website in Congress. “In this day and age of technology and digital communications, the Internet has become the first place people search for information. It is vital that Congressional offices and committees use their websites as a tool to regularly communicate with the public,” … Continue Reading
April 14, 2010Subcommittee Approves NSF Reauthorization to be Rolled into America COMPETES Act
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April 14, 2010Chairman Gordon's Written Testimony to the House Committee on Appropriations's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
I appreciate the opportunity to testify in front of the Subcommittee today on funding levels for Fiscal Year 2011. As we continue our work to create jobs and strengthen our economy today, we must also lay the foundation for economic prosperity in the future. This means making significant investments in science and innovation. These investments lead to the development of new technologies, creating whole new industries, new businesses, and new jobs. The America COMPETES Act, which is set for … Continue Reading
March 25, 2010Subcommittee Advances Energy Components to be Rolled into 2010 America COMPETES Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a markup on a Committee Printon Department of Energy programs, which included the titles: Department of Energy Office of Science Authorization Act of 2010; ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2010; and Energy Innovation Hubs Authorization Act of 2010. “Spanning the full gamut from the most basic research all the way to commercial applications, these three programs represent the … Continue Reading
March 24, 2010Members Question Changes to NASA’s Exploration Program
(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing today to discuss the Administration's proposed changes to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) exploration program. Key proposed changes that were discussed included the cancellation of the Constellation Program, investment in a new "commercial crew" space transport industry, and a variety of implications resulting from the Administration's proposals. … Continue Reading
March 24, 2010Witnesses Advise Committee on the Best Way to Support Innovation and Ensure Global Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to broadly examine factors and policies that foster innovation. “The importance of innovation—creating new ideas, products, and services—cannot be overstated. And in this global, highly competitive economy, it is increasingly the intangible inputs of R&D, education, and entrepreneurial risk-taking that drive that growth,” said Chairman David Wu … Continue Reading
March 23, 2010Reorganization Could Help NIST Better Meet Industry’s Needs in the 21st Century, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation (T&I) held a hearing to review the proposed reorganization of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to better meet the needs of industry in the 21st century. Also, Members examined NIST's current role in assisting in the creation of technical standards and the need for coordination of these activities across the federal government. This is the T&I … Continue Reading
March 18, 2010Inclusive and Transparent Domestic and International Governance Vital to Geoengineering Research, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held its third hearing on geoengineering to explore the domestic and international governance needs to initiate and guide potential geoengineering research programs. In addition, Committee Members discussed which U.S. federal agencies and institutions have the capacity and authority to conduct geoengineering research. "Our changing climate has been the topic of sometimes heated discussion at many of our Committee's … Continue Reading
March 17, 2010Lack of Rare Earth Minerals Threatens U.S. Manufacturers, National Transition to Clean Energy Economy, Committee Warned
(Washington, DC) - Witnesses from both the public and private sectors warned Members of the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight that the lack of a domestic supply of rare earth minerals could severely affect the U.S.’s ability to manufacture advanced-technology products. A rare earth supply shortage would present a threat notably to the emerging clean energy industry but also to the telecommunications and defense sectors, according to … Continue Reading
March 17, 2010Science Agencies Can Help Manufacturers Innovate to Remain Competitive, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing on the need for U.S. manufacturers to adopt innovative technologies and processes in order to remain globally competitive.“The manufacturing sector in the U.S. is alive and well, and continues to be an important part of our economy,” said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “Each year, the U.S. manufacturing sector generates more than $1.5 trillion worth of goods, accounts for more than half of total U.S. … Continue Reading
March 16, 2010Scholarships, Mentors, Minority Faculty, and Effective Teaching Methods will Improve Minority Representation in STEM Fields, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine institutional and cultural barriers in order to broaden the participation of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Specifically, Subcommittee Members discussed current efforts to overcome these barriers at both mainstream and minority-serving institutions and the role federal agencies can play in … Continue Reading
March 12, 2010Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird's Floor Speech on HR 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2010 under a rule
as prepared for deliveryH.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010, is a good bipartisan bill. The bill represents a timely and necessary step to address the large and growing problems of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. The Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Hypoxia Research and Control Act was first signed into law in 1998 and last reauthorized in 2004. Since the last reauthorization there has been an increase in the number, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2010House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Understand, Prevent, and Control Algal Blooms That Threaten Coastal and Fresh Waters
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives voted 251-103 to approve a bipartisan bill to address the effects of harmful algal blooms in fresh and coastal waters on aquatic plant and animal life and human health. “This bill will reauthorize a program that has funded research to advance our understanding and our ability to detect, assess, predict and control these harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events,” said bill author and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird … Continue Reading
March 10, 2010Funding R&D Programs at EPA and NOAA is Vital to Combating Economic and Public Health Threats, Committee Agrees
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine the Administration's FY 2011 budget requests for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science and Technology (S&T) Programs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Committee Members stressed their appreciation for continued support and increased funding for the research programs and S&T budgets overall, but also were concerned with the levels of funding for … Continue Reading
March 10, 2010Members Discuss Strengthening the NSF Budget
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the priorities in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget request. In preparation for reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, the Subcommittee also examined core activities, initiatives, and policy directions for research, infrastructure, education and workforce training at NSF. The NSF budget … Continue Reading
March 09, 2010Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird's Floor Speech on HR 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2010, on suspension
As prepared for delivery Madam Speaker, I rise in support today of H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2010. This bill represents a timely and necessary step to address a large and growing problem. The Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Hypoxia Research and Control Act was first signed into law in 1998 and last reauthorized in 2004. I stand here today in support of reauthorizing a program that has funded research to advance our understanding … Continue Reading
March 04, 2010Partnerships Between Key Stakeholders Will Improve K-12 STEM Education, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine innovative efforts to improve K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Committee Members and witnesses stand united on the importance of partnerships in strengthening STEM education and in better preparing students to enter the STEM workforce. Improving STEM education is a top priority for the Committee. This is one in a series of hearings the Committee has held on the … Continue Reading