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, 2008Subcommittee 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, 2008On 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, 2008Subcommittee 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
August 21, 2008Technical Flaws Hinder Terrorist Watch List; Congress Calls for Investigation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee sent a letter to the Inspector General of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) requesting an investigation of the technical failure and mismanagement of one of the government's most important counterterrorism programs. The "Railhead" program was intended to improve the terrorist watch list and enhance the integration of U.S. terrorist … Continue Reading
August 01, 2008House Bill Includes Wireless Technology for Minority-Serving Educational Institutions
Washington, DC) -Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report on the H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Subcommittee on Research and Science Education Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) were conferees on the bill. H.R. 4137, which reauthorizes the Higher Education Act, includes language from H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology … Continue Reading
July 31, 2008Committee Continues Investigation of FutureGen Termination
(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX), and Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman requesting further materials related to the termination of the Department of Energy's (DOE) participation in the a cooperative agreement with the FutureGen Industrial Alliance. The Committee is requesting … Continue Reading
July 31, 2008Committee Looks to Improve Major Federal Information Technology R&D Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to review the federal, interagency research initiative in networking and information technology, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program. The NITRD Program was established by the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194).The NITRD program has developed the computing and networking infrastructure needed to support leading edge research and to drive … Continue Reading
July 30, 2008Committee Recognizes NASA’s Accomplishments on 50th Anniversary
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to celebrate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) 50th anniversary by reviewing its accomplishments and examining its future opportunities and challenges. Committee Members questioned a distinguished panel of witnesses, including Hon. John Glenn - the first American to orbit the Earth - regarding the most influential factors that have shaped our nation's leadership in space and Earth … Continue Reading
July 30, 2008House Acts to Help Prevent Looming Water-Use Crisis
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed two bills to foster technological innovation, efficiency and conservation in an effort to head off an impending shortage of water. “Dwindling water supplies looms as a major disaster on our nation’s horizon,” said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “In an effort to protect the country from an impending water scarcity crisis, the Committee has begun to search out ways for the federal … Continue Reading
July 24, 2008Subcommittee Seeks Information From FAA on Ending of Aviation Safety Survey
(Washington, DC) -The House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calling on him to work with NASA to reestablish a program to survey professionals in the air traffic system for better insight into air safety problems. Many of the safety problems of the last few months came to light solely because of whistleblowers stepping forward to identify … Continue Reading
July 24, 2008Subcommittee Reviews NWIRP’s R&D Program to Reduce the Loss of Life and Property Due to Windstorms
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee’s Technology and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing to review the activities of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) and examine the role research and development (R&D) plays in saving lives and reducing property losses from windstorms. Witnesses discussed the current advancements in wind hazard mitigation and the process for turning research into regulations for developers, builders, and … Continue Reading
July 23, 2008Subcommittee Reviews Draft Legislation on Water Initiative
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to learn about opportunities for the federal government to support and better coordinate research and technological innovation to enhance water supplies and water quality and to support improved water management.“In order to meet the water demands of the future, it is essential that we have the information we need to balance the water needs for municipalities, industry, agriculture, … Continue Reading
July 18, 2008Miller Comments on Determination of Research Misconduct at Purdue
(Washington, DC) - House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) issued the following statement on Purdue University's issuance of a report which determined that research misconduct had occurred in bubble fusion research conducted at the University in 2004. "I am pleased that the university has finally reached a conclusion and that they took scientific integrity concerns seriously," said Miller. Purdue concluded … Continue Reading
July 17, 2008Chairman Miller Glad DHS Reversed “Security Threat” Category for Students
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight Chairman Brad Miller sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff, saying that, although he is glad that DHS has reversed its determination that foreign graduate oceanography students who applied for access to U.S. ports were security threats, the Chairman urges Secretary Chertoff to grant port access to qualified students so they can … Continue Reading
July 16, 2008Committee Approves Legislation to Improve Water Efficiency and Hybrid Truck R&D Programs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee passed two bills (H.R. 3957, H.R. 2339) to enhance water conservation and one bill (H.R. 6323) to improve the R&D of heavy hybrid trucks. "Dwindling water supplies across the United States continue to percolate as a major disaster on our nation's horizon. Despite tremendous spring rains in some states, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that severe drought still grips the American Southeast, California, the Rocky … Continue Reading
July 15, 2008Subcommittee Examines Role of NGOs and Universities in International Science and Technology Cooperation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Committee Research and Science Education Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the role of U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and universities in fostering international science and technology cooperation, and the relationship between those organizations and the federal government. Subcommittee Members reviewed the respective strengths these organizations contribute to advancing scientific diplomacy. "It is important for … Continue Reading
July 15, 2008Subcommittee Investigates Plutonium Spill at NIST
(Washington, DC) Today, the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on safety practices at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in light of the June 9, 2008 plutonium spill. "This Subcommittee has been the strongest champion of NIST in Congress, and its Members have spent a lot of time educating our colleagues about the outstanding scientific and technical work of NIST employees," said Subcommittee Chairman … Continue Reading
July 14, 2008House Reauthorizes the National Sea Grant Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passes H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008, by voice vote. As recommended by the National Academy of Sciences 2006 review of the Sea Grant program, 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. House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon … Continue Reading
July 10, 2008Subcommittee Examines the Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms on our Nation’s Coastlines
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to discuss how Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are impacting our coastlines, oceans, Great Lakes and marine life. Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses regarding the current research on the microbial bloom ecology as well as options for prevention, control, mitigation, and management. "Harmful algal blooms can cause a tremendous amount of damage through the production of toxins and … Continue Reading