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Press Releases

December 10, 2008

Chairman Gordon Comments on Report Criticizing Administration’s Strategy to Ensure Safety of Nanotechnology

(Washington, DC) -Today, the National Research Council released a report, "Review of the Federal Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research," which was highly critical of the current Administration's research plan to ensure the safety of nanotechnology. Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon made the following statement: "The National Research Council's report raises concerns about the adequacy of the environmental, …  Continue Reading 

November 20, 2008

Chairman Gordon Re-elected, Lays Out Vision For Committee

Washington, DC) -Today, the Democratic caucus re-elected Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) as Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology for the 111th Congress. "I am honored and excited to continue our work at the Committee on Science and Technology. I am very proud of the progress we made in the 110th Congress. We enacted the America COMPETES Act, to maintain and regrow America's economic competitiveness by supporting education and innovation. We reauthorized NASA, reaffirming our …  Continue Reading 

November 18, 2008

Chairman Gordon’s Statement on World Energy Outlook 2008

(Washington, DC) -The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2008. The annual publication provides analysis to address the challenges posed by worsening oil supply prospects, higher energy prices and rising emissions of greenhouse gases. The most recent edition calls for a “global energy revolution” in spite of the economic situation.Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement in response:"Once again, we have a definitive report that …  Continue Reading 

October 24, 2008

Committee, Chinese Delegation Discuss R&D to Reduce Earthquake Damage

(Washington, DC) - Staff from the House Committee on Science and Technology met with a Chinese delegation to discuss earthquake hazard mitigation, in particular the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP).  The meeting was prompted by the catastrophic earthquake in the Sichuan province of China last May.    “International cooperation is a valuable component of science and technology research and development,” said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).  “This was a …  Continue Reading 

October 16, 2008

President Signs NASA Reauthorization

(Washington, DC) - The President signed H.R. 6063, to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Legislation originated in the House Committee on Science and Technology. Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced H.R. 6063 on May 15th. The bill passed the Committee on June 4, 2008. A revised version of H.R. 6063 passed the House by a voice vote on September 27, 2008 and was signed into law by the president …  Continue Reading 

October 08, 2008

Innovation Will Solve America’s Energy, Economic Needs, Chairman Tells Zakaria

(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement on his recent discussion with Dr. Fareed Zakaria in this week’s Newsweek.  Chairman Gordon also discussed the topic on Newsweek On Air, which is available via podcast. “I am glad that Dr. Zakaria and Newsweek are shining a light on the important issue of energy independence and how, in addition to meeting our need for sustainable, affordable energy, creating new …  Continue Reading 

October 06, 2008

Subcommittee Report Finds CDC Has Failed to Protect the Public Health

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight released a staff report that details the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) handling of its response to high levels of formaldehyde in travel trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Based upon Subcommittee staff interviews with agency officials and ATSDR's own internal …  Continue Reading 

October 03, 2008

Committee on Science and Technology Highlights New Website

(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology launched a new website. The Committee's website includes new features that will improve navigation, usability, and functionality. "I want to make it as easy as possible for the public to find out what the Committee is working on," stated Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). "Our website has become part of our official record. We're going to maintain that depth of content, but add some features that will make the website easier to …  Continue Reading 

September 30, 2008

House Supports Coastal Communities By Passing Sea Grant Act

(Washington, DC) - The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5618, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. This legislation will increase the funding levels and the interaction between the National Sea Grant Office and the individual state programs and will improve programmatic performance reviews. It was based on recommendations emerging from the National Academy of Sciences 2006 review of the Sea Grant program. The Sea Grant program is a partnership between state and …  Continue Reading 

September 27, 2008

On H.R. 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008

Remarks on the U.S. House of Representatives Floor (As Prepared)  On H.R. 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008 September 27, 2008 By HON. MARK UDALL [D-CO]  Chairman, Space and Aeronautics Subcomittee Committee on Science and Technology Madam Speaker, I support the passage of H.R. 6063, “The NASA Authorization Act of 2008”, as amended by the …  Continue Reading 

September 27, 2008

House Sends NASA Bill to President’s Desk, Reaffirms Commitment to Balanced and Robust Space and Aeronautics Program

(Washington, DC) - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6063 to reauthorize NASA by a voice vote.   "This legislation includes provisions to ensure the future health of the nation's aviation system, develop the tools needed to better understand and respond to the challenges of climate change, and contribute to achievement of the nation's innovation agenda," said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).  "H.R. 6063 is a fiscally responsible …  Continue Reading 

September 24, 2008

House Passes the Fire Administration Reauthorization Act and Sends it to the White House

(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2606, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, by a vote of 418 to 2. This legislation is similar to H.R.4847, the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, which passed the House unanimously on April 3, 2008. H.R. 4847 was authored by Committee on Science and Technology's Research and Science Education Subcommittee Vice Chairman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) to expand the federal government's …  Continue Reading 

September 24, 2008

House Extends INKSNA Waiver

(Washington, DC) - Today, as part of the Continuing Resolution (CR), the U.S. House of Representatives extended the waiver to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act from January 1, 2012 to July 1, 2016, which will allow NASA to continue to purchase needed ISS-related goods and services from the Russians and ensure that U.S. astronauts will continue to have access to the ISS after the current waiver expires. The House passed the CR by a vote of 370 to 58. Committee on Science …  Continue Reading 

September 23, 2008

Chairman Gordon Calls for a National Water Initiative To Help Ensure Water Supply

(Washington, DC) - Today, Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced H.R. 6997 a bill to create a national Water Initiative. The Initiative will coordinate and support federal water research, education, and technology transfer activities to address changes in water use, supply, and demand in the U.S. It includes support to increase water supply through greater efficiency and conservation. This legislation will help to engage stakeholders at all levels of …  Continue Reading 

September 22, 2008

Chairman Miller Sends Letter Denouncing Apparent Retribution Against Recent Subcommittee Witness

(Washington, DC) -Rep. Brad Miller, Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee, sent a letter asking the Veterans Affairs Department to provide documents concerning a directive banning a witness at a recent Subcommittee hearing from the premises of the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). Two days after Dr. Janet Stout testified for the Subcommittee, Terry G. Wolfe, the VAPHS Director, banned Dr. Stout from the premises. "This directive appears to be …  Continue Reading 

September 18, 2008

Subcommittee Looks at Role of Social, Behavior, and Economic Sciences in Health Choices

(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to explore the role of the social, behavioral, and economic sciences in improving our Nation’s health and well being and reducing the economic burden of health care. As health care costs continue to skyrocket, Subcommittee Members examine how citizens make the choices that affect their health.  “Each person decides whether to smoke, to exercise, to cook …  Continue Reading 

September 11, 2008

Committee Assesses Status of NextGen Aviation Initiative

Washington, DC) - Today, The House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine the status of the Next Generation Air Transportation System initiative, known as NextGen.  Committee Members explored key issues related to the initiative and the interagency Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), the organization entrusted with NextGen planning and research coordination.“America’s air transportation system has long been the envy of the world, and it is an important …  Continue Reading 

September 10, 2008

Subcommittee Examines the Effectiveness of the DOE’s BES Program in Advancing Energy Technologies

(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee's Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to review the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science's Basic Energy Science program (BES program). Specifically, the hearing focused on major light and neutron source facilities and recent initiatives to advance research for specific energy application, such as photochemistry for more efficient solar cells. Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses regarding the BES …  Continue Reading 

September 09, 2008

On Eve of International Physics Experiment, Chairman Gordon Celebrates Progress, Partnership

Washington, DC) - The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will be turned on for the first time at 3:30 A.M. Eastern Time tomorrow. The LHC is the largest experimental facility in the world dedicated to the study of high energy particle physics. It is located at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in Geneva, Switzerland, but the United States has made significant contributions to the project. "This is a huge achievement for the scientific community and a shining example of …  Continue Reading 

September 09, 2008

Subcommittee Investigates Destruction of Irreplaceable Biomedical Infection Collection

(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing on the destruction of one of the world's leading collections of legionella disease at the Veterans Administration (VA) Pittsburgh Health Service in December 2006. The collection represented the life's work of two top experts on legionella and hospital infections, Dr. Victor Yu and Dr. Janet Stout. Its destruction brought condemnation of the Veterans Administration …  Continue Reading 

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