Witnesses Offer Ideas to Improve Forensic Science
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine the state of forensic science. Subcommittee Members heard testimony relating to the scientific and technical issues raised by the recent National Academies report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward. "Popular television shows have raised public awareness and expectation of the role of forensic science in solving crimes," … Continue Reading
March 09, 2009Chairman Gordon's remarks at the EnergyBiz Leadership Forum
remarks as prepared for delivery As you know, the Obama Administration and the leadership in the House and Senate have all indicated their intentions to move the country in a new direction to address our energy needs and climate change. That said, there is still much to do to develop the policy and pass the legislation, and as we all know, the devil is in the details. There are many moving parts to Washington's legislative and policy machine, and it remains to be seen how they are all going … Continue Reading
March 05, 2009Subcommittee Investigates Causes, Solutions for Recurring Problems of Cost and Schedule Growth at NASA
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to examine the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) efforts to improve the cost management of its acquisitions and programs. Subcommittee Members heard testimony on: • The causes of cost increases and schedule delays at NASA; • NASA's progress in addressing recurring cost and schedule-growth; • The results of the Government … Continue Reading
March 04, 2009Better Coordination Needed To Ensure Adequate Water Supply, Committee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine the need for a coordinated federal approach to water research and development, in an effort to help communities that are facing, or that will be facing, water shortages. Members also received testimony on H.R. 1145, The National Water Research and Development Initiative Act and on opportunities for the federal government to better coordinate and support research and technological innovation. … Continue Reading
March 03, 2009NASA Needs To Do More to Improve Its Ability to Reuse Its Existing Equipment, GAO Report Finds
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, "PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: NASA's Goal of Increasing Equipment Reutilization May Fall Short without Further Efforts," which found that inconsistent descriptions and inaccurate information on equipment condition hamper the ability of a component of NASA's Integrated Enterprise Management Program, called the Plant, Property, and Equipment (PP&E) Module to produce equipment matches and enhance the agency's … Continue Reading
March 02, 2009House Committees Take the Lead on Using Social Media to Ensure Transparency
(Washington, DC) - House Committees on Science and Technology, Education and Labor, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming are the first four Congressional Committees to join Twitter. These Committees use Twitter as a new tool to reach their audience and ensure transparency between the government and the public. "I believe government works best when it is transparent and information is accessible to all. I want to ensure that the … Continue Reading
February 27, 2009Stakeholders Can Now Follow S&T Committee on Twitter
(Washington, DC) - The House Science and Technology Committee recently joined Twitter. The Committee will "Tweet" about Committee legislation and news, updates about Committee events, and relevant science and technology issues. "I believe government works best when it is transparent and information is accessible to all. I want to ensure that the public can easily keep tabs on what the Committee is working on. Our award-winning website is part of our official record and is a resource for … Continue Reading
February 26, 2009STEM Learning Outside the Classroom
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the role of informal environments in promoting science, technology engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. Subcommittee Members heard testimony on the National Academies report, Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits. "The Science and Technology Committee, and our Subcommittee in particular, has made STEM education a top … Continue Reading
February 26, 2009Administration Budget Request Summary Includes Investments in Science and Innovation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget released a summary of the President's FY10 Budget Request. "I'm encouraged to see many of the Committee's priorities reflected in the document we've received," Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). "Congress and the Administration has our work cut out for us building a fiscally responsible appropriations bill that will put our nation back on track, especially creating-and keeping-jobs. … Continue Reading
February 25, 2009Omnibus Legislation Strengthens U.S. Economic Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) gave the following statement:“Along with the Recovery package, this legislation brings funding for the programs in COMPETES to or above the FY09 authorized levels.These are tough budgetary times, but we need to address one of the root causes of our economic troubles—our slipping competitiveness. If we do not, we could … Continue Reading
February 25, 2009Committee Examines Impact of Current Export Controls on the Nation’s Science and Technology Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) -Today the Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to review the impacts of current export control policies on U.S. science and technology activities and competitiveness. Witnesses and Members also discussed the findings and recommendations of the National Academies’ study, Beyond “Fortress America”: National Security Controls on Science and Technology in a Globalized World. “Our nation’s export controls were supposed to help strengthen our national … Continue Reading
February 24, 2009Subcommittee 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