Communication the Key to Engaging the Public on the Importance of Space, Witnesses Tell Members
(Washington, DC) - Today, the fortieth anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on ways to enhance the relevance of space to address national needs and to better communicate its importance to the public. “It’s of course fitting that we pause to honor those who blazed the trail that leads out beyond low Earth orbit—both the brave astronauts who undertook … Continue Reading
July 15, 2009Bill to Update Transportation R&D Clears Subcommittee
(Washington, DC) - Today the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation approved H.R. 2569, a bill to reauthorize surface transportation research, development, and technology transfer activities. The bill seeks to update research and development (R&D) priorities at the Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The legislation creates a mechanism for stakeholder input on a surface transportation … Continue Reading
July 14, 2009Subcommittee Investigates Ways to Improve Solar and Wind Energy to Meet Americans Needs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the status of wind and solar energy research and development (R&D) programs and discuss the need for a comprehensive plan to guide future activities. In addition, Members received testimony on H.R. 3165, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009. “We must harness the power of science to access the almost limitless renewable energy in our own … Continue Reading
July 09, 2009Members, Witnesses Discuss Water, Energy Link
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the intersection between water and energy. Water is needed to generate energy and produce fuel, and energy is needed to pump, treat, and distribute water. The need for energy is growing at the same time that water supply shortages are predicted. Research, development and demonstration are necessary to ensure the nation is able to meet its needs for both … Continue Reading
July 08, 2009FIRE Grant Programs Provide Vital Support to Firefighters and First Responders Nationwide, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee's Technology and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing to review fire grant programs that assist firefighters, first responders, and local communities nationwide with the equipment, training, and personnel needed to protect the public. The Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants programs, together referred to as the FIRE grants, will expire in FY 2009 and … Continue Reading
July 08, 2009T&I Subcommittee Chairman Wu’s Floor Speech on H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act
Thank you, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In today’s economy, small business is where innovation happens. The Science and Technology Committee, intends to promote the science and technology research that drives an innovation-based economy. That is why I rise in support of H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act.At more than $2.3 billion per year, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs comprise the largest … Continue Reading
July 08, 2009House Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Support Small High-Tech Entrepreneurs, Grow Jobs
(Washington, DC)—Today the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009 by a vote of 386 to 41 to reauthorize and make needed updates to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.SBIR is the single largest federal program supporting small high-tech firms’ research and development (R&D) activities. It makes more than $2.2 billion in investments yearly in small … Continue Reading
June 26, 2009House Passes Landmark Clean Energy Jobs Legislation, Includes Provisions From Science and Technology Committee
(Washington, DC)—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The final legislation included provisions approved by the House Committee on Science and Technology. “The path towards lowering our carbon emissions, meeting our needs for energy, and growing new sectors of the economy—and the jobs they provide—is through research and development of new energy technologies,” said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “This … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009Subcommittee Examines DHS’s and NIST’s Cybersecurity Efforts
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to assess the cybersecurity efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). DHS oversees cybersecurity for all federal civilian networks. NIST develops and promulgates the cybersecurity standards for all federal civilian networks. Subcommittee Members reviewed the agency’s current cybersecurity … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009Problems Continue with New Technology to Detect Smuggled Radiation, Reports Find
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to examine ongoing problems with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to acquire its next generation radiation monitors known as Advanced Spectroscopic Portals (ASPs). Both the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released new reports on the ASP program this week that highlighted troubling problems … Continue Reading
June 24, 2009Committee Advances Bills, including SBIR Reauthorization to Stimulate Innovation at Small High-Tech Businesses
(Washington, DC)—Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a markup on three bipartisan bills: H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009; H.R. 2729, to authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes; and H.R. 1622, to provide for a program of research, development, and demonstration on natural gas vehicles. The Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act … Continue Reading
June 22, 2009Chairman Gordon Comments on GAO Report Regarding Multi-Billion Dollar Radiation Portal Monitoring Program
(Washington, DC)-Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its sixth report in three years on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) troubled next generation radiation monitoring program to develop Advanced Spectroscopic Portals (ASPs). This report Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS Improved Testing of Advanced Radiation Detection Portal monitors, but Preliminary Results Show Limits of the New Technology was requested by several members of Congress, including Committee … Continue Reading
June 18, 2009Subcommittee Examines NASA Budget Challenges
(Washington, DC) - Today, witnesses at a hearing of the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics told Members that programmatic and budgetary stability will be the key to ensuring NASA can carry out its missions safely. “NASA is at a critical crossroads,” said Subcommittee Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). “Decisions made by Congress and the White House this year will have an impact on NASA for years to come—for better or … Continue Reading
June 17, 2009Subcommittee Examines Troubled NPOESS Program
(Washington, DC) - Reorganization is necessary to limit deterioration of the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) and maintain the present schedule of satellite launches, according to findings from a House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight hearing held today to examine the troubled program. “This Committee has devoted years of oversight to NPOESS,” said Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC). … Continue Reading
June 17, 2009Committee Discusses Nuclear Waste Recycling Risks and Benefits, and Status of R&D
“I believe everything has to be on the table when it comes to meeting our growing need for energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I believe nuclear power is part of the solution to the daunting challenge of climate change, and I also recognize that our 104 operating reactors provide very reliable baseload power,” said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “To me, the best reason to consider reprocessing is that an expansion of nuclear power may make the once-through fuel cycle inadequate for … Continue Reading
June 16, 2009Witnesses, Members Discuss How to Secure Cyberspace
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation and Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a joint hearing to hear responses to the Administration’s Cyberspace Policy Review from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). “In order to secure government … Continue Reading
June 16, 2009Subcommittee Advances Bills to Update Oil Spill R&D, to Authorize National Environmental Research Parks, and to Advance Natural Gas Vehicle R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment approved three bills: H.R. 2693, which will update the federal government’s research and development (R&D) of oil spill prevention, detection, recovery, and mitigation; H.R. 2729, which will formally authorize existing National Environmental Research Parks; and H.R. 1622, which will restart a natural gas vehicle R&D program at the Department of Energy (DOE). H.R. 2693, … Continue Reading
June 11, 2009Subcommittee Examines EPA’s New IRIS System
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new process for chemical entries in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses regarding the effectiveness of the reformed IRIS process announced by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on May 21, 2009. “It’s a start, but we need to see how this works in practice to tell if it goes … Continue Reading
June 11, 2009Successful Earthquake Model Could Inform R&D for Other Hazards, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) in preparation to write legislation for the program’s reauthorization. “It is vital that we examine programs like this closely, since earthquakes and other natural threats can be devastating in their impact,” stated Subcommittee Chairman David Wu (D-OR). “For example, in the United States, wind … Continue Reading
June 10, 2009Subcommittee Examines Federal Cyber Security Measures, Looking for Ways to Improve R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to explore federal cyber security R&D. Specifically, the hearing examined the priorities and gaps in the cyber security research portfolio to determine how effective federal programs are at addressing our nation’s existing security concerns and future threats. “Last year, the Pentagon reported more than 360 million attempts to break into its network,” said … Continue Reading