Subcommittees Examine State of Hurricane Research, Possible Improvements
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a joint hearing to examine the status of hurricane research and ways in which current research efforts could be improved. The Subcommittees also received testimony on H.R. 2407, the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007. "The effects of Hurricane Katrina are still very visible in many of our districts, including … Continue Reading
June 26, 2008Committee to Receive Disputed FutureGen Documents from DOE Subpoena Meeting Ends with a Commitment for Delivery
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a business meeting to discuss the Committee's next action in obtaining documents regarding the FutureGen initiative from the Department of Energy (DOE). The Committee has been trying to get access to key DOE decision documents on FutureGen since April 2, 2008. The White House and Department of Energy pledged that the Committee would receive the remaining contested … Continue Reading
June 25, 2008Committee Passes Legislation to Reauthorize the Sea Grant Program and Research and Monitor Ocean Acidification
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology approved two bills, H.R. 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2007, and and H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. H.R. 4174, the FOARAM Act was introduced by Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) on November 14, 2007. This bipartisan legislation directs an Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Technology to oversee the planning, establishment, and coordination of an … Continue Reading
June 24, 2008Subcommittee Discusses Ways to Increase the High-Skilled, High-Paying Workforce in America
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss how to maintain and expand the market for high-skilled, high-paying jobs here in the United States. Subcommittee Members reviewed the nation's competitiveness in a global economy by surveying the efficacy of past and current efforts to assist dislocated workers and communities. "We need to understand how our scientific, technological, and … Continue Reading
June 24, 2008Panel Explores Ways to Reduce Transportation Costs, Environmental Impact Through Improved Infrastructure
(Washington, DC) The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review ongoing research and development related to surface transportation infrastructure, which include roads, freeways, and networks of stoplights, with the goal of improving sustainability and energy efficiency. The Subcommittee heard testimony from federal, state, academic, and industry representatives on their efforts to promote implementation of innovative … Continue Reading
June 20, 2008Gordon Praises Science and Education Funding in Supplemental Appropriations Bill
(Washington, DC) - Last night, the House of Representatives passed a revised version of the House Supplemental Appropriations Act, H.R. 2642. This legislation contains appropriated funding for the America COMPETES Act (PL 110-69). Last August, Congress passed and the President signed into law the America COMPETES Act. A response to the 2005 National Academies' report Rising Above the Gathering Storm, and supported by a wide range of U.S. industries, universities, and science organizations, … Continue Reading
June 20, 2008Chairmen Concerned About What Plutonium Spill Reveals
(Washington, DC) - Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon, with Technology and Innovation Subcommittee Chairman David Wu and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall, sent a letter to Dr. James Turner, Acting Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to express their concern over the handling of a June 9th plutonium spill at the NIST Boulder, Colorado Laboratory. The Chairmen were relieved that nobody was injured in the incident and … Continue Reading
June 19, 2008GAO Report Reveals Continuing Problems With NPOESS
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee continued its oversight of the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). “This program is vital to our daily lives,” said Subcommittee Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX). “When launched, NPOESS will be the primary source of information the National Weather Service uses to make its long-range forecasts, and the military will need NPOESS data to … Continue Reading
June 18, 2008House Overwhelmingly Approves NASA Reauthorization Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 by a vote of 409 to15. This legislation is a one-year reauthorization for Fiscal Year 2009 and is intended to provide guidance to the next administration. The current NASA authorization expires September 30, 2008. H.R. 6063 was introduced on May 15, 2008 by Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) and passed the House … Continue Reading
June 18, 2008Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Improve R&D for Ocean Acidification, the Sea Grant Program, and Hybrid Vehicles
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee passed three bills to improve environmental research and development programs - H.R. 4174, H.R. 5618, and draft legislation on hybrid vehicles. H.R. 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2007 or the FOARAM Act, was introduced by Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) on November 14, 2007. H.R.4147 establishes an Interagency Committee on Ocean Acidification to oversee the … Continue Reading
June 16, 2008Subcommittee Chairman Baird Leads Bipartisan Delegation to Galapagos to Meet With Scientists
Washington, DC) -The House Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) led a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to the Galapagos Islands to study climate change, invasive species, Management of Parks and Wilderness Areas, and Fisheries and Marine Reserve Management.“When it comes to climate change, the Galapagos are the canary in the coalmine. Scientists believe the islands will experience early and extreme impacts of climate … Continue Reading
June 13, 2008Chairman Gordon Comments on the End of FutureGen
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, the Department of Energy informed the FutureGen Alliance that it was formally ending all funding obligations to this project. FutureGen had been a Presidential initiative to develop a first-of-its-kind zero-emissions coal-fired power plant. Bart Gordon, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, made the following statement: "I remain unconvinced that the Department of Energy's decision to terminate support for the FutureGen project is the right … Continue Reading
June 12, 2008Communities Left Vulnerable to Toxic Chemicals, Witnesses Tell Subcommittee
(Washington, DC) - The House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight heard testimony today on the human impact when the scientific integrity of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public chemical database, IRIS, is compromised. The Subcommittee is also looking into the White House’s efforts to slow the completion and release of chemical assessments in IRIS. “When state and local authorities get poor information, or no information, … Continue Reading
June 12, 2008On H.R. 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008
Remarks on the U.S. House of Representatives Floor On H.R. 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008 June 12, 2008 By HON. BART GORDON [D-TN] Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology Today I am asking my colleagues in the House to ensure this country’s leadership in space and aeronautics programs by passing H.R. 6063, the “NASA Authorization Act of 2008.” First, I want to thank and commend Chairman Udall of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics for his leadership in … Continue Reading
June 11, 2008Miller Calls on DHS to Withdraw Inappropriate Classification of Students as “Security Threats”
(Washington, DC) - Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) today released a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asking him to rescind the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) determination that foreign graduate students in oceanography pose a "security threat" because they applied for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) while holding a student visa, a category not eligible for the TWIC. "The TSA … Continue Reading
June 11, 2008Miller Calls on White House to Release Documentation on Toxic Chemical
(Washington, DC) - Today, Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) sent a letter to the White House asking for all documents related to the long-delayed assessment of the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE).The Subcommittee is examining whether the White House's continued efforts to delay assessments of the health risks posed by toxic chemicals is contributing to illness and premature death for thousands of Americans. "Politics should have no … Continue Reading
June 10, 2008Subcommittee Supports and Reviews Hybrid Technologies for Medium- to Heavy-Duty Commercial Trucks
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology's Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the state of developing hybrid technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commercial vehicles applications. Specifically, Subcommittee Members reviewed industry partnerships and the Department of Energy's (DOE) support in R&D of these systems and draft legislation. "Skyrocketing costs of fuels have had a devastating impact on America's truckers by driving up the cost of … Continue Reading
June 05, 2008Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Research and Monitor Ocean Acidification
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to review H.R. 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act. Committee Members examined the current status of science on ocean acidification and research and monitoring activities focused on ocean acidification and its potential impacts on marine organisms and marine ecosystems. Ocean acidification is one of the consequences of climate change. … Continue Reading
June 05, 2008House Passes Legislation to Strengthen Nanotechnology Safety Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, H.R. 5940, the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 407 to 6. H.R. 5940 reauthorizes and refines the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), notably strengthening the commitment to environmental and safety research. “The promise of nanotechnology is enormous, but potential downsides need to be addressed from the beginning in a thorough, transparent process,” said Chairman Bart Gordon … Continue Reading
June 04, 2008Chairman Gordon’s Statement on Health IT Draft Legislation
Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on a discussion draft of legislation on Health IT and Privacy. House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), who is also a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, offered the following statement: First, I want to make clear that I fully support Chairman Pallone's and Chairman Dingell's efforts to have Congress play a more active role in developing a national … Continue Reading