Chairman 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
March 25, 2009Committee Clears Bills To Improve Electronics Recycling and Coordinate Critical Water Research
(Washington, DC) Today, the Committee on Science and Technology approved bills to help to encourage nationwide recycling of electronic devices and to address water shortages plaguing communities across the country. The Committee approved H.R. 1580, the Electronic Devices Recycling Research and Development Act. The bill aims to reduce the amount of electronic waste through more efficient recycling, better materials selection, and designing products to be easily disassembled. … Continue Reading
March 24, 2009Coordination Could Improve International S&T Partnerships, Witnesses Tell Subcommittee
(Washington, DC) -The Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing on Tuesday to discuss draft legislation The International Science and Technology Act of 2009 that would create a committee to coordinate all international science and technology activities and partnerships between and among federal research agencies and the Department of State.“The new Administration gives us a tremendous opportunity and a fresh outlook for both science and foreign … Continue Reading
March 24, 2009Subcommittee Examines DOE’s Vehicle Technology R&D Programs To Ensure Industry and Public Needs Are Met
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to review the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies research and development (R&D) programs. Specifically, Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses on the program funding levels and proposals for programmatic changes to meet a changing market and public needs.“We need to break our addiction to foreign oil. For too long, the American people have been … Continue Reading
March 19, 2009Subcommittee Examines How Agencies Will Be Accountable and Transparent With Recovery Package Funding
(Washington, DC) - During Sunshine in Government week, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to examine the accountability and transparency provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1. Members received testimony from agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction to determine the actions being taken to ensure accountability for the science and technology R&D funds they have received from Recovery … Continue Reading
March 17, 2009Secretary Chu, Committee Discuss Future Directions for the Department of Energy
(Washington, DC) -Today, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu testified before the Committee on Science and Technology. This was the first Cabinet-level witness for the Committee, and the Secretary’s first appearance at a House panel. The Secretary testified about the Administration’s near-term objectives and priority issues for its research and development (R&D) activities. The conversation touched on issues including: international collaboration; carbon capture and … Continue Reading
March 12, 2009Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Examines the Failures of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). "The Subcommittee has heard from many sources examples of jackleg science by ATSDR and their keenness to please industries and government agencies that prefer to minimize public health consequence," said Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC). Members heard testimony about ongoing problems at ATSDR, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2009House Encourages Students to ‘Observe’ Pi Day
(Washington, DC) -Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved House Resolution 224 "Supporting the designation of Pi Day" by a vote of 391-10. The Greek letter Pi-the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter-is rounded to 3.14. Many teachers and schools plan events around March 14th-3/14-to engage students in math and science activities. "This is a lighthearted event but the goals are serious," said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart … Continue Reading
March 11, 2009DOE’s Decision to Abandon FutureGen Was Illogical, According to Staff Report Released by Chairmen Gordon and Miller
(Washington, DC) -In an effort to kill the FutureGen project, top officials at the Department of Energy knowingly used inaccurate project cost figures and promoted an alternative plan that career staff repeatedly warned them would not work, according to a majority staff report to Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC). FutureGen was a highly-touted initiative announced by President George W. Bush … Continue Reading
March 11, 2009Subcommittee Examines DOE’s Past, Present, and Future Advanced Coal Programs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine FutureGen and the Department of Energy's (DOE) advanced coal programs. Subcommittee Members heard testimony on near-term and long-term strategies to accelerate research, development and demonstration of advanced technologies to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. At the hearing Members discussed a GAO report comparing the … Continue Reading