Subcommittee Discusses Tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to discuss the current systems of monitoring, reporting and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Witnesses discussed current efforts of GHG registries to track emissions of the six GHG's from individual companies, cities, universities, and other organizations. Information on carbon dioxide emissions is available and generally reliable for the power-generation and … Continue Reading
February 24, 2009Chairman Gordon Comments on the President’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress
(Washington, DC) - Tonight, President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress, with a focus on the economy, energy, healthcare, and education. Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) made the following statement: “The path to creating jobs and rebuilding our economy is through the scientific discoveries that will break our addiction to foreign oil, through the technological advances that will give our manufacturers the edge, and through the improvements … Continue Reading
February 24, 2009Chairman Gordon Introduces Legislation to Streamline Water Research
(Washington, DC) - Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced HR 1145, The National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009. The bill will coordinate national research and development efforts on water and work to ensure adequate water supplies in the future, in the face of predicted droughts. Predicted droughts will be exacerbated by increases in population and energy demand and shifting weather patterns caused by climate change. "Water is … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009House Approves Investments in Science and Technology to Create Jobs, Ensure Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House of Representatives adopted the conference report on HR 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The package relies on science and innovation as the keys to new American-made technology and will advance important work on urgent national challenges like energy independence and climate change. “This package makes much-needed investments in science and technology as the path to ensuring our national economic competitiveness,” said Committee … Continue Reading
February 12, 2009Subcommittee Reviews Federal and State Transportation R&D Efforts
(Washington, DC) - Today the Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review the research, development, and deployment activities of the Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, the hearing focused on research priorities to incorporate in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) reauthorization. Subcommittee Members heard testimony regarding the funding, planning, and … Continue Reading
February 12, 2009House Affirms Support for Engineers
(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Res. 117, which supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, by a vote of 422 to 0. The resolution was introduced by the Research and Science Education Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), who holds engineering degrees from Northwestern University and Stanford University. National Engineers Week is February 15-21 2009. Today, the House affirmed that it: supports the goals and ideals of National … Continue Reading
February 11, 2009House Takes Steps to Avert Water Shortages through Conservation, Innovation
(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills, H.R. 631 and H.R. 469, aimed at fostering technological innovation, efficiency and conservation, in an effort to head off a looming water shortage. "At least thirty five states are predicted to experience droughts in the next five years," said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). "We need to begin now looking for ways for the federal government to spur new technological innovations in … Continue Reading
February 11, 2009Committee Spearheads Plan To Make Recycling E-Waste Easier
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee held a hearing to review a discussion draft of the Electronic Waste Research Development Act of 2009. Members heard testimony regarding how research and development (R&D) could help address the challenges of managing the disposal of electronic products, or e-waste, within the United States. "Obsolete electronic products, or e-waste, can contain both valuable materials, like gold and silver, and toxic materials, like … Continue Reading
February 11, 2009House Approves Bill To Assure Safety of Nanotechnology, Transparency of Research
(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 554, the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2009, by voice vote. This bill will strengthen and provide transparency in federal research efforts to understand the potential environmental, health, and safety risks of nanotechnology. It is identical to H.R. 5940, which passed the House in the 110th Congress. "Nanotechnology is already in our cell phones, cosmetics, paints, and refrigerators," said House … Continue Reading
February 04, 2009Miller Applauds President Obama’s Revocation of Bush-Era Executive Order on Regulatory Review
Washington, D.C. -Chair of the Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight Brad Miller (D-NC) applauded President Barack Obama’s decision to revoke Bush Executive Order 13422.Chairman Miller held two oversight hearings, on February 13, 2007 and April 26, 2007, on President Bush’s Executive Order 13422 before its implementation. Executive Order 13422 revised President Clinton’s Executive Order 12866, which addressed the role of Federal agencies in regulation. Executive Order 13422 … Continue Reading
January 28, 2009House Passes Recovery Package, including Investments to Strengthen Competitiveness, Economy with Science and Technology
(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved HR 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including substantial investments in science and Technology.“The investments in science and technology in the recovery package are timely and targeted. They will create high-quality jobs in the short term while making strides to strengthen American competitiveness over the long-term, including improving access to clean, affordable energy,” Committee on Science and … Continue Reading
January 28, 2009Committee Organizes, Approves Oversight Plan
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science and Technology held its Organizational meeting, in which Members approved Subcommittee Chairs, Ranking Members, Subcommittee Assignments, and Committee Rules. The Committee also approved its Oversight Plan, as required by House Rules. "I would like to welcome back my friend Ralph Hall as the Ranking Member of the Committee. I feel very lucky to work closely with a colleague with such deep experience in the issues that are important to … Continue Reading
January 22, 2009Subcommittee Chairs, Members Named
(Washington, DC) - Today the Democratic Caucus of the Committee on Science and Technology met to elect Subcommittee Chairs and select Subcommittee assignments. The selections will be official after they are approved by the full Committee at the Organizational Meeting on Wednesday, January 28th. "The issues before this Committee have important and long-ranging impact: energy technology development, climate and weather monitoring, math and science education programs, nanotechnology, the … Continue Reading
January 16, 2009Chairman Gordon’s Statement on Health IT
(Washington, DC) - Today, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act was released for inclusion in the House American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Package.House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) has been working on the legislation in collaboration with the Chairs of the other Committees of jurisdiction: House Energy and Commerce; House Ways and Means; Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions; and Senate … Continue Reading
January 15, 2009Bill Introduced to Ensure Safety of Nanotechnology, Transparency of Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee introduced H.R. 554, National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2009. Identical to H.R. 5940, which passed the 110th Congress by 407 to 6, H.R. 554 will strengthen and provide transparency to the federal research effort to understand the potential environmental, health, and safety risks of nanotechnology. It requires the agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to develop a plan for … Continue Reading
January 15, 2009American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Package Looks to Science to Grow Economy and Jobs
(Washington, DC) -Today, the House Appropriations Committee released an executive summary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, which included substantial funding for agencies under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Science and Technology and funding for enacted legislation that originated in the Committee.“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 will strengthen American competitiveness, create high-quality jobs, and improve access to clean, affordable … Continue Reading
January 09, 2009GAO Report Finds Failure of Oversight by NASA IG
Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office released a report, "Inspectors General: Actions Needed to Improve Audit Coverage of NASA," which found that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) under Robert “Moose” Cobb returned only 36 cents for every dollar in its budget. Cobb’s role as the Inspector General is to reduce waste and save the agency money. In a ranking of 30 agency OIG offices, Cobb’s office … Continue Reading
January 08, 2009Chairman Gordon Comments on Report on Impact of National Security Controls on Science and Technology
(Washington, DC) -House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement in response to the National Research Council's report, Beyond "Fortress America": National Security Controls on Science and Technology in a Globalized World. The report was released today and examines the impact of national security controls on science and technology. "The nation owes a debt of gratitude to co-chairs Gen. Brent Scowcroft and Stanford University President … Continue Reading
January 07, 2009Steering and Policy Committee Forum Highlights the Role of Science and Technology in Job Creation, Economic Recovery
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) participated in a Steering and Policy Committee forum on the economic outlook and the components of an economic recovery plan to spur job creation and create long-term growth.Steering and Policy Committee co-chairs Congressman George Miller (CA-7) and Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) chaired the forum. Also participating were the chairs of the House Energy and Commerce, Transportation and … Continue Reading
December 18, 2008Chairman Gordon Discusses Agenda, the Role of Innovation in Creating New Jobs
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) discussed the House Science and Technology Committee’s agenda for the 111th Congress. Chairman Gordon discussed the legislative highlights of the 110th Congress, newly designated Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu, and the importance of innovation and the development of new energy technologies to strengthen our economy and global competitiveness.“There’s a misperception that we cannot afford to invest in science because of the current … Continue Reading