Lack 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
March 03, 2010Members, Secretary Discuss Department of Energy’s Role in Transition to Clean Energy Economy
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to discuss the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget request for energy research and technology development programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) with Secretary Steven Chu. The FY 2011 budget request for the DOE is $28.4 billion, which represents a $1.8 billion or 6.8 percent increase over FY 2010. Approximately one-third of the total budget is allocated for civilian energy … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010Subcommittee Chairman Wu's Floor Speech on H.R. 3820
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010. This bipartisan bill addresses a critical need-securing our communities against earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters. As we saw last month in Haiti and just this weekend in Chile, earthquakes can strike without warning, causing massive damage and many casualties. Mitigation efforts, like advanced building codes, are crucial to preventing loss and … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010Chairman Gordon's remarks at the first ARPA-E Innovation Summit
As prepared for delivery We have all noticed the partisan cloud that has descended over Washington. But the America COMPETES Act which authorized ARPA-E is an example that bipartisanship is still possible. A small group of lawmakers, from both sides of the aisle and both sides of Capitol Hill, came together to request that the National Academies look at the future of nation’s competitiveness. National Academies put together a stellar team, chaired by retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010Successful Summit is Further Proof that ARPA-E is Exceeding Expectations, Chairman Says
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) spoke at the first ARPA-E Innovation Summit, which aimed to bring together award winners and finalists with potential investors from the private sector. “As ARPA-E got off the ground it became clear that there are many more good ideas than there is federal funding to support them,” said Chairman Gordon. “When Secretary Chu and Director Majumdar and I were talking about the … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010House Acts to Reduce the Impact of Earthquakes, Windstorms, and Other Natural Disasters By Advancing Hazard Mitigation Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3820, The Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010, by a vote of 335 to 50. H.R. 3820 advances research and development (R&D) in the area of hazard mitigation to help protect people and property from the damage caused by earthquakes, windstorms, and other natural disasters. "The impact of natural hazards on communities can be devastating," stated bill cosponsor and House Science and Technology Committee Chairman … Continue Reading
February 25, 2010Committee Expresses Caution Over Proposed Changes to NASA’s Human Space Flight Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to discuss the Administration’s FY 2011 budget request for NASA with Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) highlighted his support for a number of features in the president’s budget request: an overall increase of $ 6 billion in NASA’s funding over the next five years compared to last year’s outyear funding plan; a focus on NASA’s … Continue Reading
February 24, 2010The Development of Measurement Science by NIST Would Improve Biomedical Technology, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine ways the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) could better serve the needs of the 21st century biomedical community, including supporting the development of biologic drugs, improved diagnostic medicine, and the growth of personalized medicine. "We all know that people across the country have recently been engaged in an ongoing debate … Continue Reading
February 24, 2010Administration, Committee Agree on Importance of Sustained Investments in R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to discuss the Administration’s FY 2011 budget request with the president’s top science advisor, Dr. John P. Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). “Recognizing that we are in a time of constrained budgets and some very tough choices had to be made, I was very happy to see strong increases for research and development in the president’s budget,” said Committee on … Continue Reading
February 23, 2010University Research Infrastructure Needs Federal Support, 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 research and research training infrastructure of universities and colleges. The hearing was held as part of the Committee’s effort to reauthorize the America COMPETES Act. Members and witnesses focused on academic research facilities, cyberinfrastructure capabilities, and the appropriate role of the federal government in sustaining … Continue Reading
February 04, 2010Subcommittee Examines Geoengineering Strategies and Hazards
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the scientific basis and engineering challenges of geoengineering, a term that encompasses a wide range of strategies to deliberately alter the Earth’s climate systems for the purpose of counteracting the effects of climate change. “Make no mistake, despite the sometimes far-fetched proposals, this is not a subject that should be taken lightly,” … Continue Reading
February 04, 2010Members Question NASA Watchdogs on Challenges Facing Agency
(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to discuss the key issues and challenges facing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as seen by the agency's "watchdogs": the NASA Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP). "As Congress prepares to reauthorize NASA, it is important that we focus on the issues and challenges that … Continue Reading