Chairman Gordon’s Floor Speech on H.R. 1145, the National Water Research and Development Act of 2009
As prepared for delivery I rise in strong support of HR 1145, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009. Thirty-six states expect to experience significant water shortages by 2013. Diminished supplies of water and intense competition for limited resources are forcing local water agencies to make tough decisions on water allocations and limiting access to needed water by businesses and families. When severe water shortages occur, the … Continue Reading
April 23, 2009Subcommittee Examines Programs Encouraging Innovation, Economic Growth at Small High-Tech Firms
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Both of these programs were created over 25 years ago to support and encourage small high-tech entrepreneurial firms.“Today we are looking to small high-tech firms to develop the new products and technologies that can rejuvenate our economy. When … Continue Reading
April 22, 2009Gordon Introduces Legislation to Keep the US on the Cutting Edge of IT
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced H.R. 2020, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2009. The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program is a multi-agency research effort to ensure continued U.S. leadership in computing systems, advanced networking, software and other information technologies. In addition to identifying and meeting the critical … Continue Reading
April 22, 2009Chairman Gordon’s Floor Speech on H.R. 957, the Green Energy Education Act of 2009.
as prepared for delivery Today I rise in support of H.R. 957, the Green Energy Education Act of 2009. First I’d like to thank Mr. McCaul for his leadership on this legislation. This bill authorizes the Department of Energy to contribute funds to the National Science Foundation’s successful Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (known as I-GERT). I-GERT awards prepare doctoral students by integrating research and education in innovative … Continue Reading
April 22, 2009House Passes Bills to Reduce Electronic Waste, Improve Education in Energy-Efficient Building Design
(Washington, DC)—Today, the U.S House of Representatives passed H.R. 1580, the Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act, by voice vote, and H.R. 957, the Green Energy Education Act of 2009, by a vote of 411 - 6 HR 1580 authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award grants to reduce the volume of discarded electronic products in the United States through research, development, and demonstration projects for product design, recycling and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2009Committee Examines Federal Programs that Track Greenhouse Gases
(Washington, DC)—The House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing today to examine the systems available to track the emissions, sequestration and transport of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, on land, and in the oceans. The hearing focused on federally-sponsored programs to monitor greenhouse gases. “Without robust monitoring and verification systems, we cannot understand the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases,” said Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart … Continue Reading
April 22, 2009Chairman Gordon’s Floor Speech on H.R. 1580, the Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act.
as prepared for deliveryToday I rise in support of H.R. 1580, the Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act. This bill represents a first step forward on a large and growing problem. Every year, Americans send millions of old cell phones, televisions, computers, laptops and other electronic devices to landfills. Millions more are stored in desk drawers and attics by consumers unsure of how to get rid of an old computer. These devices are often termed … Continue Reading
April 20, 2009Chairman Baird Hosts Discussion on Potential of Technologies to Use Forest Biomass to Create Green Energy, Jobs
Washington, D.C.—Today, the House Science and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) held a field briefing on the potential of technologies to use forest biomass to produce clean, green energy. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) also participated.“One of the answers to our nation’s energy problems could literally be in our own backyard,” said Baird. “Our timber economy has been hit particularly hard by this … Continue Reading
April 09, 2009Chairman Gordon, Science and Technology Committee Members Release GAO Report on NAOMS
(Washington, DC)—A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the National Aviation Operations Monitoring Service (NAOMS) project was released today by senior Members of the Committee on Science and Technology. GAO found that NAOMS successfully demonstrated surveys of airline personnel could be used to identify emerging safety trends that might be precursors to aviation accidents. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the target customer for the … Continue Reading
April 09, 2009Chairman Gordon Disappointed in NASA’s Decision to Award Contract Despite Ongoing Investigation
(Washington, DC) -Today, NASA awarded a $1.2 billion award for the Space Communications Networks Services (SCNS), despite an ongoing investigation into organizational and personal conflicts of interest. House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) made the following statement:“I am disappointed that NASA chose to award this $1.2 billion contract while both the Committee and the NASA Inspector General’s Office are investigating serious allegations of … Continue Reading
April 03, 2009Chairman Gordon's Written Testimony to the Subcommittee on Energy and Water House Committee on Appropriations
I am submitting this statement today to urge the Subcommittee to continue its commitment to the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) at the Department of Energy. I want to thank the Subcommittee for providing $15 million in crucial, start-up funding for ARPA-E in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and for providing $400 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to enable this program to become fully operational. Diminishing global energy supplies, … Continue Reading
April 02, 2009Chairman Gordon's Written Testimony Submitted to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
I want to thank the Subcommittee for providing me the opportunity to share my thoughts on funding levels for Fiscal Year 2010. Although full details are not yet available on the Administration’s budget request, I am pleased that the budget request summary provided to Congress in late February demonstrates the Administration’s continued commitment to science and technology, and welcome the robust funding levels requested for our federal science agencies. For the National Science … Continue Reading
April 02, 2009NASA IG Resigns
(Washington, DC)—Today, the NASA Inspector General Robert “Moose” Cobb sent a letter to President Obama resigning from his post, effective April 11th. “This is a good first step,” said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “Mr. Cobb was not up to the job. But the end result can’t just be the removal of an ineffectual IG. We need to put in place a strong IG. NASA is too important an agency, with too important a mission, to risk letting waste … Continue Reading
April 02, 2009House Approves Budget, Including Commitment to Science and Technology Funding
(Washington, DC)—Today, the House of Representatives approved H.Con.Res.85, which sets budget levels for fiscal year 2010 through 2014. “The funding outlined in the budget resolution will give Congress the ability to keep the promises that it made in the America COMPETES Act, as well as provide NASA the support it needs to fulfill the missions the nation has asked of it,” said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “I look forward to working with Chairman Spratt … Continue Reading
April 01, 2009Committee Hears about Progress, Potential in Field of Information Technology
Today, the House Science and Technology Committee held a hearing on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development, or NITRD, in preparation to introduce the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2009. “Information technology is a major driver of economic growth,” said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “Advances in the field have the potential to dramatically influence all aspects of our lives from manufacturing and healthcare to education and … Continue Reading
March 31, 2009Subcommittee Approves Bills To Improve Coordination of STEM Education, International S&T Efforts
(Washington, DC) - Today the Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education advanced two bills. The first, H.R. 1709, will coordinate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs across the federal government. The second bill, H.R. 1736, will coordinate international science and technology activities and partnerships between and among federal research agencies and the Department of State. H.R. 1709, STEM … Continue Reading
March 31, 2009Subcommittee Addresses the Need for a Research Agenda to Mitigate Our Transportation System’s Impact on the Environment
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held its third hearing in a series to discuss the impact of the transportation system on the environment. The planning and design of surface transportation infrastructure can influence congestion, the number of vehicle miles traveled, and the amount of energy embodied in the system from materials. In addition, planning and design factors also impact water quality, air quality, … Continue Reading
March 30, 2009Chairman Gordon's remarks at the National Academy of Sciences summit on America’s Climate Choices
as prepared for deliveryThank you for the opportunity to participate in this Summit, and I want you to know that the Academy provides essential support to the Congress through its good work. Our new President has already changed the climate for science in Washington. President Obama called me a few weeks ago and he told me: “I am a science guy.” As you can see by the appointments he is making to key positions, he wants advice and guidance from scientists. Speaker Pelosi is … Continue Reading
March 26, 2009Chairman Gordon Comments on NEJM study on Electronic Medical Records
(Washington, DC)—This week the New England Journal of Medicine released a study that identified a low rate of adoption of electronic medical records. The study cited the cost of programs, the lack of interoperability, and a lack of training as reasons for the low adoption rate.The Recovery Package included funding to incentivize the adoption of health IT by healthcare providers. More importantly, it provided for the establishment of standards that ensure interoperability and security in … Continue Reading
March 26, 2009Subcommittee Examines the Potential of Biofuels in Civil Aviation to Protect the Environment and Strengthen Energy Independence
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to review the status of federal and industry research and development (R&D) efforts to develop safe and cost-effective uses of biofuels in civil aviation. Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses regarding the results of recently completed aviation biofuels demonstrations and what steps the federal government is taking to assess their viability. Members also … Continue Reading