Subcommittee 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
July 19, 2007Chairmen Seek Answers on Hurricane Center Controversy
(Washington, DC) The U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight met jointly today to evaluate recent events at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Tropical Prediction Center (TPC/NHC). "Things may be relatively calm over the Atlantic, but it has been stormy at the Center and this is a situation that must be resolved so this organization can do its important work for the … Continue Reading
July 17, 2007Subcommittees Hold First Joint Hearing on Department of Energy’s Decision to End Funding for the Savannah River Ecology Lab
(Washington, DC) The Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee and the Energy and Environment Subcommittee heard testimony today about why the Department of Energy (DOE) has made a decision to withdraw funding for the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). A second hearing on the Subcommittees' investigation is currently scheduled for August 1, 2007. "Why did top-level staff at the Department of Energy put so much time and energy into eliminating a lab that costs so little, but makes … Continue Reading
July 17, 2007Wu Leads Look into Future of Universities & Tech Transfer
(Washington, DC) - More than 25 years since Congress passed the Bayh-Dole Act, Members of the Science & Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Technology & Innovation took a look at the history and future of the law that allows universities to patent inventions that stem from federally funded research and development. Subcommittee Chair David Wu (D-OR) led today's hearing, the subcommittee's first this Congress on the topic of technology transfer. The Bayh-Dole Act, PL 96-517, … Continue Reading
July 13, 2007Chairmen Seek Answers on Controversy at National Hurricane Center
(Washington, DC) Responding to the reports of disarray at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Energy and Commerce took action to determine if the Center was indeed incapable of providing necessary forecasts during the hurricane season. Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX), Chairman of the Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, convened a meeting … Continue Reading
June 29, 2007Miller Amendment Denies Funding for Bush Executive Order
(Washington, DC) The House last night passed legislation that would prevent the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the White House from implementing Executive Order 13422 issued by President Bush earlier this year, set to go into full effect July 24, 2007. House Committee on Science and Technology Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law Linda Sanchez (D-CA) introduced an … Continue Reading
June 28, 2007Gordon: Bold Efforts on Energy Contained in House Package Will Put U.S. on Path to a More Sustainable Future
(Washington, DC) House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) issued the following statement after joining the House Democratic Leadership and his fellow Committee Chairmen at a press conference this morning to unveil House Democrats' comprehensive energy package aimed at increasing U.S. energy independence: “With concerns about global climate change, high gas and electricity prices, and our growing reliance on unstable energy-supplying nations, energy has been placed … Continue Reading
June 28, 2007Subcommittee Continues Look at Status of NASA’s Earth Science Programs
(Washington, DC) Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics examined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Fiscal Year 2008 budget request and plans for the Earth science and applications programs. This hearing built upon the Science and Technology Committee's February 13th hearing which examined the findings and recommendations of the National Academies' Earth Science and Applications "Decadal Survey." The Decadal Survey … Continue Reading
June 27, 2007Energy and Climate Change R&D Measures Clear Committee, Contribute to House Energy Package
(Washington, DC) Reducing the country’s dependence on traditional fuel sources and maximizing use of data on global climate change were the impetus behind four pieces of legislation cleared by the House Committee on Science & Technology today. These bills are among twelve energy and environment-related measures the Committee has cleared already this Congress, seven of which are expected to be included as key provisions in the House Energy Independence Day legislative initiative. The bills … Continue Reading
June 26, 2007Subcommittee Surveys Small Business R&D Programs
(Washington, DC) - Members of the Science & Technology Committee Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation took a closer look today at the work and progress of the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) with an eye toward reauthorizing SBIR and STTR in the 110th Congress.Today’s hearing follows up on an earlier one that focused on challenges to the SBIR program from the perspective of non-governmental experts. Today, … Continue Reading
June 26, 2007Gordon Applauds Location of Federal Bioenergy Facility in Tennessee; Continues Committee Efforts to Advance R&D
(Washington, DC) A U.S. Department of Energy announcement today locating three Bioenergy Research Centers across the country coincides with pending action by the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology to advance and bolster U.S. bioenergy research. Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) called the actions "evidence of how a strong federal commitment to research and development can spur economic growth and result in real solutions to the energy challenges facing our country." Gordon … Continue Reading
June 25, 2007Science & Technology Chairmen React to NASA Report on ISS National Laboratory
(Washington, DC) Today, NASA issued a report to Congress on the planned use of the U.S. portion of the International Space Station (ISS) as a national laboratory. U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) issued the following reactions to NASA's Report to Congress on the ISS: Chairman Gordon: "The nation has invested a great deal in the development of the International Space … Continue Reading
June 22, 2007Committee Clears Legislation Reauthorizing R&D Programs at FAA
(Washington, DC) - Bolstering research and development within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Members of the Science and Technology Committee today cleared legislation reauthorizing existing programs within the agency and establishing several new research initiatives. The measure, H.R. 2698, the Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007, was passed by the Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee last week. The bill is aimed at improving the safety, capacity … Continue Reading
June 21, 2007Chairmen: President’s Lack of Willingness to Discuss NASA Budget ‘Deeply Disappointing’
(Washington, DC) House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO), and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX) today issued the following statement in response to the Administration's letter rejecting their request for a meeting of Members of Congress with President Bush to discuss NASA's budgetary situation: "We are deeply disappointed that the President has decided not to seize the … Continue Reading
June 21, 2007Subcommittee Advances Energy Research Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Members of the Science & Technology Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee today advanced three pieces of legislation designed to enhance the country’s knowledge and use of biofuels, solar power, and carbon capture and sequestration. “Today, this Committee is taking yet another step to increase federal investment in energy technologies that we know will lessen the environmental impact of our energy use, decrease our reliance on foreign fuels, and still maintain … Continue Reading
June 19, 2007Subcommittee Examines Role of Community Colleges in 21st Century Competitiveness
(Washington, DC) - In efforts to fill the ranks of skilled technicians and industry workers in the advanced manufacturing industry, Members of the Science & Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education examined the role of community colleges in recruiting and training those workers. The manufacturing sector is responsible for 14 percent of the country's gross domestic product, and 11 percent of its employment. For the U.S. to remain competitive in this still … Continue Reading
June 19, 2007Subcommittee Works to Advance Solar Energy Technologies
(Washington, DC) The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment today explored means to advance solar energy research and technologies. The Subcommittee addressed the topic in the context of pending legislation, authored by Subcommittee Vice-Chair Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), which will soon be introduced to establish several important research, education and training programs to facilitate the adoption of such technologies. “As we have all heard in our … Continue Reading
June 14, 2007Subcommittee Clears Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007
(Washington, DC) Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics approved legislation aimed at bolstering federal aviation research and development. "This legislation provides the tools that the FAA will need to keep the nation's air transportation system safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly," said bill sponsor, Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO). H.R. 2698, the Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007, … Continue Reading
June 14, 2007Subcommittee Works to Boost Biofuels Research and Development
(Washington, DC) - Responding to the growing demand for an increased use in biofuels, Members of the Committee on Science & Technology's Subcommittee on Energy & Environment examined federal efforts to research and develop biofuels and biorefineries. "Our nation's energy needs cannot be fully met with fossil fuels alone. Indeed, sole reliance on foreign sources of energy jeopardizes our economy, foreign policy, national security, and most importantly our environment," said … Continue Reading
June 14, 2007Subcommittee Urges Criminal Investigation of NASA General Counsel
(Washington, DC) - The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology urged the Department of Justice today to investigate and possibly prosecute Michael Wholley, the general counsel of NASA, for obstruction of justice and destruction of government records. Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) and Ranking Member F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) have referred the matter to DOJ for investigation and possible … Continue Reading