Subcommittee Reviews Possible NIST Action on Recommendations from Administration’s Cyberspace Policy Review and the Postponed Reorganization of NIST’s ITL
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to discuss the recommendations made in the Administration's 60-day review of federal cybersecurity, Cyberspace Policy Review, that could be appropriate for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to take action on. In addition, the hearing also discussed the postponed reorganization of NIST's Information Technology Laboratory (ITL). "More … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009House Overwhelmingly Approves Creation of Strategic Roadmap to Advance Solar Energy Technology
(Washington, DC)-Today, the House of Representatives voted 310 to 106 to approve, H.R. 3585, a bill that creates an updatable strategic roadmap to advance solar energy technologies through prioritized research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities. H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, establishes a comprehensive process to create this roadmap for solar technology RD&D activities conducted by the federal government in partnership with the private sector, with a … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009Subcommittee Examines Technology Development at NASA
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October 22, 2009Subcommittee Looks into the Potential Benefits of and Challenges to K-12 Engineering Education
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the potential benefits of, challenges to, and current models for incorporating engineering education into grades K-12. In recent years, a small but increasing number of education stakeholders have advocated for pre-college engineering education. They argue that the current science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education system is … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009Chairman Gordon's Floor Speech on H.R. 3585
as prepared for delivery Madame Speaker, I am pleased that today we are considering H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, sponsored by Science and Technology Subcommittee Chair Gabrielle Giffords. This bipartisan bill has 32 co-sponsors including myself and Subcommittee Chairs Brian Baird and Dan Lipinski, as well as Committee Members Michael McCaul and Roscoe Bartlett. If solar power isn't the first thing you think of when I talk about Tennessee, I'll forgive you. But over the … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009Subcommittee Chairwoman Giffords' Floor Speech on H.R. 3585
as prepared for delivery Madame Speaker, the United States has some of the best solar resources of any industrialized country in the world - enough to power the whole country several times over - and these resources are not only limited to the American Southwest. It turns out that our friends up north in Alaska have about the same solar resource as all of Germany. And yet, in 2006 Germany installed about seven times more solar power than the entire U.S. Major companies in Europe … Continue Reading
October 21, 2009Committee Approves Bills to Support Firefighters, Advance Research to Mitigate Natural Disasters
(Washington, DC)—Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a markup to advance a bill to reauthorize the Fire Grants program, which provides support for local firefighters and communities, and a bill to advance research and development in the area of hazard mitigation, to help protect people and property from the damage caused by earthquakes, windstorms, and other natural disasters. H.R. 3791, The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009 passed by voice vote and was … Continue Reading
October 21, 2009Subcommittee Examines Federal Government’s Role in the R&D of Converting Biomass for Heat and Electricity
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to review the federal government and industry's role in developing technologies that convert biomass feedstock into biopower, focusing on thermal energy (heat) and electricity. Biomass is a renewable energy source which includes any organic matter that is available on a renewable basis - agricultural crops, agricultural waste and residues, wood, wood waste and … Continue Reading
October 20, 2009Chairman Gordon's Floor Speech on H.R. 3819
as prepared for delivery Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of H.R. 3819, a bill to extend the current commercial space transportation liability regime. First established by Congress as part of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments of 1988, the commercial space transportation risk-sharing liability and insurance regime has been extended four times since its original enactment. The current extension … Continue Reading
October 20, 2009House Approves S&T Bill to Extend Commercial Space Transportation Liability Regime and Two Resolutions
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3819, a bill to extend the commercial space transportation liability regime, by a voice vote. H.R. 3819, sponsored by Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), was first established by Congress as part of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments of 1988 and has been extended four times since its original enactment. The current liability risk-sharing regime extension expires at the end of the year; … Continue Reading
October 16, 2009GAO Report Affirms That NASA Has Effective Mechanisms for Coordinating with Other Federal Agencies and Avoiding Duplicative Efforts
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, NASA: Briefing on National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Programs and Associated Activities. GAO was directed by The NASA Authorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-422), which originated in the House Committee on Science and Technology, to assess the effectiveness of policies and procedures put in place to ensure that NASA's programs and activities are not duplicative of similar efforts within the … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009GAO Report Warns of Vulnerabilities in NASA’s Networks
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, Information Security: NASA Needs to Remedy Vulnerabilities in Key Networks. GAO was directed by The NASA Authorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-422), which originated in the House Committee on Science and Technology, to review information security controls that protect NASA's information technology resources and information from inadvertent or deliberate misuse, fraudulent use, disclosure, modification, or … Continue Reading
October 14, 2009Subcommittee Approves Reauthorization of Fire Programs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Technology and Innovation Subcommittee held a markup to advance H.R. 3791, The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009. The bill passed by voice vote and was reported favorably. A Full Committee markup is planned for Wednesday, October 21. "The programs in this legislation provide critical resources to fire departments across the country," stated Subcommittee Chairman David Wu (D-OR). "At a time when many cities and … Continue Reading
October 09, 2009Subcommittee Chairwoman Cites Need for “Robust” NASA Budget
(Washington, DC) - The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) today cited the need for a “robust” NASA budget, saying space exploration can inspire and benefit the nation during difficult economic times. Giffords told participants at the Sea Space Symposium that she was not surprised by concerns over NASA’s budget in the recently released summary report of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee. Next … Continue Reading
October 08, 2009Subcommittee Examines the Need for and Government’s Role in High-Risk, High-Reward Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee's Research and Science Education Subcommittee held a hearing to examine various methods to fund high-risk, high-reward research, also referred to as transformative, pioneering, or high-risk, high-payoff research. Specifically, the Subcommittee discussed the federal government's role in supporting this research and how to address it in the 2010 reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-69). According to … Continue Reading
October 07, 2009Committee Passes Legislation to Prevent and Control Harmful Algal Blooms, Improve Solar Technology, and Research the Link between Water and Energy Resources
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology approved three bills (H.R. 3650, H.R. 3585, H.R. 3598) to create interagency strategies and comprehensive regional plans to prevent and control harmful algal blooms; improve solar technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) programs; and understand the link between water and energy resources. “These three bills target several important research needs. As always we appreciate the … Continue Reading
October 01, 2009Subcommittee Examines Programs that Investigate the Nature of Matter, Energy, Space, and Time
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on high energy and nuclear physics research at the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. The witnesses and Members discussed these research programs and their collaboration with related programs and projects carried out by the National Science Foundation and NASA as well as international partners. “This Subcommittee certainly supports basic research that may have … Continue Reading
September 30, 2009Subcommittee Approves Bills to Control Harmful Algal Blooms, Improve Solar Technology, and Examine the Link between Energy and Water Resources
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee approved bills to prevent and control harmful algal blooms; to create a roadmap process for a comprehensive solar technology research, development, and demonstration program; and to research the link between energy and water resources. The Subcommittee approved H.R. 3650, Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 by voice vote. H.R. 3650, authored by … Continue Reading
September 25, 2009GAO Report Confirms that Funding Shortfalls Have Hurt NASA’s Ability to Execute Its Constellation Program As Planned
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, "NASA: Constellation Program Cost and Schedule Will Remain Uncertain Until a Sound Business Case is Established”. The report was requested by House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), as part of the Committee’s ongoing oversight of NASA’s major acquisition programs. NASA’s Constellation program is developing the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle … Continue Reading
September 24, 2009Subcommittee Investigates Ways to Improve the Measurement Science for Life-Saving Biologic Drugs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Technology and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the need for reference standards and analytical tools to improve the development and regulatory approval process of biologic drugs, and to help ensure patients receive safe and effective medicines. Specifically, the hearing examined ways to improve the quality of the manufacturing process of biologics and provide tools to the biotechnology industry and the … Continue Reading