E&E Subcommittee Chairman Baird’s remarks on the Floor on loss of Aquanaut at NOAA Undersea Research Center
I rise today to pay tribute to Dewey Smith, a young man who tragically lost his life Tuesday in the course of his duties at the Aquarius Undersea Research Station. He will be greatly missed by his friends, family, and colleagues.Dewey’s life was tied to the sea from his childhood growing up on the Gulf Coast in Panama City, FL. As a young man, he served his country as a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman. For five years he cared for the health and well being of his fellow … Continue Reading
May 07, 2009Chairman Gordon Comments on Administration Budget
(Washington, DC) — Today, the Administration released their budget request for FY10. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement: “Overall, I’m pleased that the president’s budget is maintaining the commitment we made to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy Office of Science in the America COMPETES Act, especially taken in context of the … Continue Reading
May 06, 2009Chairman Gordon's Remarks at the Computer and Communications Industry Associations
as prepared for deliveryThanks to CCIA and Ed Black for having me here today. I’ll begin with an overview of the Science and Technology Committee’s jurisdiction on IT and telecom-related issues and with the merging of technologies. For example, I’m not sure whether an I-phone should best be described as a telephone or a mini-computer. So in my remarks this morning, I don’t intend to make an obsolete distinction between IT and Telecom issues; instead, I’ll consider the … Continue Reading
May 06, 2009National Climate Service Could Organize and Improve Products and Services, Witnesses Tell Subcommittee
(Washington, D.C.)—The House Science and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the need for a national climate serviceand options for meeting the increased demand for climate information. “Climate … Continue Reading
May 05, 2009Subcommittee Vows Assistance, Oversight as Administration Strives to Meet High Goals of Transparency of Recovery Act Funding
(Washington, DC) -Today the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to continue oversight of the accountability and transparency provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “Traditionally, oversight has had an after-the-fact focus here in Washington. By the time we learn what went wrong, the money's already gone and we have nothing to show for it,” said Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC). “With the Recovery … Continue Reading
April 30, 2009Chairman Gordon's remarks at the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Forum
as prepared for deliveryI want to thank Dr. Agre and AAAS for the important role they play in helping to elevate science in our national policy discussions, through forums such as this and through their everyday activities. I have to admit that it became clear to me in high school that my future was not going to be spent in the laboratory when I singed off my eyebrows during a close encounter with a Bunsen burner, although I’m happy to report that I still discovered my unknowns. I’d … Continue Reading
April 30, 2009Subcommittee Examines Role of Science, Transparency in Regulation
(Washington, DC) -Today the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing on the role of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, or OIRA, in regulatory reform. Witnesses from public watchdog organizations and academia were asked their opinions on issues that included: OIRA’s past, current, and ideal role in the regulatory process - particularly the way it uses or challenges scientific information and its relationship to … Continue Reading
April 29, 2009Committee Approves Bills to Improve Collaboration, Coordination in IT R&D, International S&T, STEM Ed
(Washington, DC) — Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology approved legislation to improve networking and information technology, international science and technology cooperation, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. H.R. 2020, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2009, or the NITRD Act, passed the Committee by voice vote. This legislation, introduced by Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), improves the NITRD … Continue Reading
April 28, 2009Committee Examines Ways to Make the Space Environment Safer for Civil and Commercial Users
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to examine the challenges faced by civil and commercial space users as space traffic and space debris in Earth orbit continue to increase. Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses about potential measures to improve the information available to civil and commercial users to avoid in-space collisions and discussed ways to minimize the growth of future space debris. … Continue Reading
April 28, 2009Cutting-Edge Research, Technology Could Improve Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Industry, Committee Hears
(Washington, D.C.)—Today, the House Science and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) held a hearing on the role of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) research and development programs in developing technologies, codes, and standards to enable deployment of net-zero energy, high-performance buildings and support energy efficiency in domestic industries. “Energy efficiency and conservation will have the greatest near-term impact of … Continue Reading
April 28, 2009ATSDR Withdraws Scientifically Flawed Public Health Document
(Washington, DC) -Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) applauded the withdrawal of the public health assessment of Camp Lejeune’s drinking water system by a federal agency, but questioned whether there were assessments for other sites that should also be withdrawn.The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a sister agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced this … Continue Reading
April 27, 2009Chairman Gordon Comments on President’s Address Highlighting the Importance of Science
(Washington, DC)—Today, the president addressed the National Academy of Sciences.Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement in response: “I wholeheartedly agree with the president that the key factors of our long-term economic competitiveness are investing in basic research, fostering innovation, and improving science, technology, math, and engineering (STEM) education. I am encouraged that the president has made a commitment to … Continue Reading
April 23, 2009GAO Says Costs and Schedule for NOAA's New Geostationary Weather Satellite Program Presents Ongoing Risks
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Weather Satellite System. At the hearing Subcommittee Members reviewed the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) latest report, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES): Acquisitions Has Increased Costs, Reduced Capabilities, and Delayed Schedules, and heard testimony from … Continue Reading
April 23, 2009Chairman’s Bill to Coordinate Water Research, Ensure Supply Passes House
(Washington, DC)—The House of Representatives passed H.R. 1145, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act by a vote of 413 to 10. The bill is intended to coordinate national research and development efforts on water and provide a clear path forward to ensure adequate water supplies for generations to come. “In tough economic times, it is imperative that we use every dollar we spend efficiently. This bill will ensure that we have a clear water strategy that … Continue Reading
April 23, 2009Chairman 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