Miller 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
December 10, 2008Chairman 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, 2008Chairman 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, 2008Chairman 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, 2008Committee, 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, 2008President 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, 2008Innovation 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, 2008Subcommittee 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, 2008Committee 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, 2008House 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