Committee Examines Research Priorities to Improve U.S. Bridge Safety
(Washington, DC) The U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology today held a hearing aimed at exploring the current state of bridge-related research and technology development, and to consider future research and development priorities to improve bridge safety. Today's hearing, entitled Bridge Safety: Next Steps to Protect the Nation's Critical Infrastructure, marks the beginning of the Committee's efforts to address the serious problems in U.S. bridge infrastructure after the disastrous … Continue Reading
September 10, 2007Gordon, Lampson, Miller Comment on Former Hurricane Center Director’s Reassignment to NWS Southern Regional Office
(Washington, DC) Since news of National Hurricane Center Director Bill Proenza's forced departure from his post earlier this year, the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology has undertaken an investigation of events surrounding the dismissal and subsequent actions. Joint hearings held by the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment brought to light troubling findings that the Committee continues to investigate. In August, Chairmen … Continue Reading
September 06, 2007Subcommittee Questions NASA on Health Care of Astronaut Corps
(Washington, DC) House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) today led a hearing aimed at investigating the findings of two NASA reports concerning the astronaut medical and behavioral healthcare system. On July 27, 2007 NASA released the results of an independent external review they commissioned in the wake of the controversy surrounding astronaut Lisa Nowak. That report was designed to provide "objective assessment, problem identification and recommendations for … Continue Reading
September 05, 2007Subcommittee Examines Benefits, Challenges of Coal-to-Liquid Technologies
(Washington, DC) - Members of the Science & Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment considered the policy and technological measures potentially needed if the U.S. is to move forward with an energy strategy that includes the production of liquid transportation fuels from coal sources. As the price of petroleum and natural gas remains high, there has been an increased interest in developing the commercial potential of producing synthetic liquid fuels from coal (CTL). … Continue Reading
August 09, 2007President Signs Gordon’s COMPETES Act
(Washington, DC) - Equipping teachers, educating students, investing in research and stimulating America’s economy are the goals of H.R. 2272, the America COMPETES Act, a bill signed into law this morning by President Bush at the White House. “We have to recognize there are roughly seven billion people in the world, half of whom make less than $2 a day. We cannot and would not want to compete with that,” said Gordon. “We have to compete at a higher level with a better equipped and skilled … Continue Reading
August 08, 2007Members Wish Endeavour Well on Mission to ISS
(Washington, DC) Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off this evening from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to continue construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Leaders of the House Committee on Science and Technology - the Committee with jurisdiction over U.S. civil space and aeronautics activity - offered the following comments on the successful launch: Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN): "One exciting aspect of this particular mission is the … Continue Reading
August 06, 2007Chairmen Request Ousted National Hurricane Center Director Be Returned to Southern Region
(Washington, DC) In deepening their look at recent controversy at the Tropical Prediction Center (TPC/NHC), chairmen of two House Science & Technology Subcommittees have requested that the center's director be returned to a position he held prior to running the TPC. Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) and Energy & Environment Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX) have sent a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher … Continue Reading
August 04, 2007Committee Work Advances in House Energy Package Passed Today
(Washington, DC) - Advancing the development of solar power, geothermal power, carbon capture and sequestration, alternative fuels, and other energy technologies were among the accomplishments of the energy package passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives. Those provisions were among a number of pieces of legislation in H.R. 3221, New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act - making the House Science and Technology Committee's contributions … Continue Reading
August 02, 2007Gordon: House Passes Landmark Bill Investing in America’s Students, Teachers, Workers
(Washington, DC) Members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed groundbreaking legislation today aimed at ensuring the United States’ strong footing as a global economic leader and retaining our “brainpower advantage.” “Now is the time for us to strengthen our support for the creativity, the innovation and the talented workforce that makes the U.S. unique and gives us our competitive edge,” said Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), lead House negotiator on the … Continue Reading
August 01, 2007Subcommittees Question Looming Closure of Savannah River Ecology Lab
(Washington, DC) - In a second joint hearing, Members of two Science & Technology Subcommittees further examined the Department of Energy's decision to end its funding for the Savannah River Ecology Lab (SREL), near Aiken, South Carolina. During today's hearing, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chair Brad Miller (D-NC) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chair Nick Lampson (D-TX) heard testimony from several representatives from DOE about their decision, as well as … Continue Reading
July 31, 2007Gordon Named to Lead House Conference on Competitiveness and Innovation Legislation
(Washington, DC) Anticipating a culmination later this week of work that he began in the 109th Congress, House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) today said that U.S. students, teachers, businesses and workers stand to benefit when a House and Senate conference committee completes its work on groundbreaking competitiveness and innovation legislation. Gordon was named the lead House conferee on the panel earlier today. The House and Senate conferees are expected to … Continue Reading
July 31, 2007Chairman: Deal Reached on H.R. 2272 Competitiveness and Innovation Conference
(Washington, DC) Shortly after the conferees met tonight on groundbreaking legislation aimed at ensuring U.S. students, teachers, businesses and workers are equipped with the tools to compete in the 21st century economy, House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) said a deal has been reached. “Keeping America competitive in a global marketplace begins with a high-quality education system and follows with ideas and investments in people here at home - that’s just what … Continue Reading
July 27, 2007Committee Assures Hearings on Concerns Raised in Report on NASA Astronauts’ Health
(Washington, DC) Today, NASA released the findings of a review of NASA's procedures for overseeing astronauts' medical and behavioral health, commissioned in the wake of the scandal involving former astronaut Lisa Nowak. Yesterday, as Aviation Week leaked aspects of the report, U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon made clear that the Committee would be looking for further explanation and details from NASA on the review's disturbing findings. With the review … Continue Reading
July 26, 2007Gordon Reacts to GAO Report on Space Shuttle Transition Challenges
(Washington, DC) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) this week released its review of NASA's plans for managing its supplier base as it transitions from the Space Shuttle program to the follow-on Crew Exploration Vehicle program. The Shuttle's upcoming retirement at the end of the decade will create challenges for NASA in determining what part of the current Shuttle supplier base will be needed in the future. At present the Shuttle program has over 1,500 suppliers, some of which are … Continue Reading
July 26, 2007Committee Looks At Effect of University Globalization on U.S. Pre-Eminence in STEM Fields
(Washington, DC) The U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology today held the second in a series of hearings this Congress on the complexities of offshoring - or the movement of U.S. technical jobs to overseas locations. Today's hearing, entitled The Globalization of R&D and Innovation, Pt. II: The University Response, follows on a June 12, 2007 hearing that examined the current state of technical jobs in the United States, as well as on the implications of innovation offshoring for … Continue Reading
July 26, 2007Chairman Comments on Anticipated NASA Reports Reviewing Astronauts’ Medical and Behavioral Health
(Washington, DC) NASA announced today that they plan to release the findings of two reviews regarding astronaut medical and behavioral health assessments during a news conference scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at the agency. Media outlets today detailed some of the reviews’ disturbing findings. In anticipation of the report’s formal release, U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon offered the following comment: "I have not yet seen the reviews, but if the reports … Continue Reading
July 26, 2007Udall: House NASA Budget a Step in the Right Direction
(Washington, DC) House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) issued the following statement today following passage by the House of H.R. 3093, the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill for 2008, which contains appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): "As Chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology, I am pleased that the House has passed an appropriations bill … Continue Reading
July 26, 2007Udall Urges Conrad to Question Nussle on NASA Funding
(Washington, DC) As part of an ongoing effort by the House Committee on Science and Technology to highlight and address the dire funding situation at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) has enlisted the help of Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND). The growing mismatch between the financial resources being provided to NASA by the Administration and the tasks that NASA is being asked to carry out are … Continue Reading
July 26, 2007Gordon: NASA Needs to Do a Better Job Managing Its Assets
(Washington, DC) The results of a General Accountability Office (GAO) review requested by Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), found that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) isn't maintaining effective control over its $35 billion worth of property and equipment, including reporting loss of over $94 million in equipment over the last ten years. "At a time when Congressional supporters are fighting hard to get NASA the resources it needs to … Continue Reading
July 24, 2007Subcommittee Examines Challenges Facing Space Shuttle & International Space Station Programs
(Washington, DC) - An ongoing labor strike, the approaching retirement of the Shuttle program and the challenges of operating and utilizing the International Space Station (ISS) after the Shuttle is retired were among the major issues considered today by the House Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. The purpose of today's hearing was to review the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA), Space Shuttle, which is scheduled to … Continue Reading