House 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
June 09, 2009Subcommittee, Witnesses Discuss Environmental Research, Including Bill to Preserve Valuable Research Parks
(Washington, D.C.)—The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to discuss H.R. 2729, sponsored by Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), which formally authorizes the seven existing National Environmental Research Parks as permanent research reserves. The long-term data sets that have been collected from the Parks are used to understand natural ecosystem development and variability, including how ecosystems respond to climate change and … Continue Reading
June 08, 2009House Approves Bills to Coordinate International Science and Technology Partnerships, STEM Education Programs in Federal Agencies
H.R. 1736, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009, passed by a vote of 351 to 52, and H.R. 1709, the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009, passed by a vote of 353 to 39. The House also approved H.Res. 492,supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week, by a voice vote. The International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009 will recreate a committee under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) to coordinate the … Continue Reading
June 08, 2009Committee Members Examine Need for Improved Storm Forecasting and Warnings
(Washington, DC) - Federal R&D to improve forecasts of tornadoes and severe storms may lead to better warnings and a reduction in the number of false alarms, according to weather experts gathered today at a roundtable discussion organized by House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) and attended by Committee Member Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN). “Emergency management officials and meteorologists agree that one of the largest barriers to getting the … Continue Reading
June 08, 2009E&E Subcommittee Chairman Baird’s Floor Speech on H.R. 1736, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009
I rise in support of H.R. 1736, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009, and yield myself such time as I may consume. It is fitting that H.R. 1736 is the coming to the Floor of the House in the same week as the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, because science and technology can play a truly unique role in improving our foreign relations. Science is a universal language built on a foundation of prior discoveries and advancements that have originated … Continue Reading
June 08, 2009E&E Subcommittee Chairman Baird’s Floor Speech H. R. 1709, the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009
Over the past decade, report after report has come out highlighting the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to our Nation’s competitiveness in the rapidly changing 21st century economy. The National Academies’ Rising Above the Gathering Storm report sent up a red flag that our nation's standing as the global leader is at risk if we do not improve STEM education in the country. The first and highest priority recommendation of the Gathering … Continue Reading
June 05, 2009Updates Needed for U.S. Oil Spill R&D Strategy, Witnesses and Members Conclude
(Washington, D.C.)—The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine current federal research and development efforts to prevent, detect, or mitigate damage from oil spills. Witnesses and Members discussed legislation introduced on June 3rd by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), H.R. 2693, The Federal Oil Spill Research Program Act of 2009. “The United States needs a more robust research and development strategy to reduce the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2009Committee Passes National Climate Service Bill
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the House Committee on Science and Technology passed H.R. 2407, the National Climate Service Act of 2009 by a vote of 24 to 12. H.R. 2407was introduced May 14, 2009 by Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). As amended, the bill would establish a Climate Service Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and it outlines an interagency process to establish a National Climate Service.“State and local governments, private industry and resource … Continue Reading