Members Laud Atlantis’ Successful Launch
(Washington, DC) Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off this evening from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to resume construction of the International Space Station. Leaders of the House Committee on Science and Technology - the Committee with jurisdiction over civilian aviation and U.S. space activity - offered the following comments: Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN): "I know that I speak for all Americans in wishing the crew of STS-117 a successful mission and a safe … Continue Reading
June 07, 2007Committee Questions Lack of Action to Restore Climate Sensors to NPOESS Weather Satellite Program
(Washington, DC) The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment continued oversight today on the unsettled National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). In conjunction with the hearing, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) also released its latest report on the latest assessment of this critical weather monitoring platform. “This is not the first hearing the Committee has held on NPOESS and I am confident in saying it … Continue Reading
June 07, 2007Joint Subcommittee Probe Questions NASA Inspector General’s Conduct in Office
(Washington, DC) Members of the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Members of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics and Related Sciences held a joint hearing today to review the case against NASA Inspector General Robert "Moose" Cobb. Cobb remains on the job after a six-month investigation by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) found that Cobb had abused his authority and exhibited the appearance of a … Continue Reading
June 06, 2007Subcommittee Moves Legislation on Climate Change, Energy Research
(Washington, DC) The Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology today cleared three bills for consideration by the full Committee. "The bills before the subcommittee today address overlooked opportunities in our collective efforts to respond to climate change, create good American jobs, diversify our energy supply, increase our security, and reduce the environmental impact of energy production," said Subcommittee Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX). "All … Continue Reading
June 06, 2007Subcommittee Investigates How to Better Coordinate Federal Math and Science Programs
(Washington, D.C.) - As part of its ongoing effort to investigate ways to increase math and science educational opportunities in the U.S., Members of the Science and Technology Committee's Research and Science Education Subcommittee today heard from several federal agencies on how the federal government is contributing to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. During the hearing the subcommittee examined whether agencies are doing enough to coordinate among themselves … Continue Reading
June 06, 2007Healthcare IT Education, Energy Research Among Host of S&T Bills Passed by House
(Washington, DC) - Multiple bills designed to increase education in healthcare information technology and energy research passed the U.S. House of Representatives today, along with two other bills honoring several space groundbreaking scientists.“Each of these bills reflects the power and possibility of science - whether it’s training professionals on new technologies to improve healthcare, accessing energy research to diversify our nation’s energy supply or inspiring a generation of future … Continue Reading
June 05, 2007Committee Looks at Technology to Limit Illegal Filesharing
(Washington, DC) - Members of the House Science and Technology Committee today heard from university officials and a leading technology expert on different methods to reduce illegal filesharing on campus internet systems. While most colleges and universities provide their students with internet access for educational and research purposes, a growing number of college students have instead come to use the system to illegally download and share copyrighted music and movies through free … Continue Reading
May 31, 2007Chairman Responds to NASA Administrator’s Comments on NPR
(Washington, DC) House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) responded to remarks that NASA Administrator Michael Griffin made to National Public Radio (NPR) in an interview that aired on today's Morning Edition. Chairman Gordon's comment follows: "Setting aside NASA Administrator Griffin's personal views on the significance of global warming, I remain concerned that NASA is not doing as much as needs to be done on climate change data collection and research. Based on … Continue Reading
May 29, 2007Miller, Lampson Continue Efforts to Halt Closure of Savannah River Ecology Lab
(Washington, DC) The Investigations and Oversight (I&O) Subcommittee and the Energy and Environment (E&E) Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology today followed up on their previous request for information regarding the pending closure of the Savannah River Ecology Lab (SREL). "On May 16 we wrote to you regarding the decision making surrounding the reduction in support for the work of the Savannah River Ecology Lab - a reduction so severe it amounts to a … Continue Reading
May 24, 2007Subcommittee Investigates Destruction of Video Records by Senior NASA Officials During IG Probe
(Washington, DC) - Members of the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight today questioned senior staff at NASA about physically destroying records of a controversial meeting between NASA’s Administrator Michael Griffin and Office of the Inspector General staff.“It is impossible not to assume the worst about what the destroyed DVD showed,” said Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC). “NASA officials knew perfectly well in advance that the meeting … Continue Reading
May 23, 2007Committee Advances Legislation on Energy Research and Health Information Technology
(Washington, DC) - The House Committee on Science and Technology today approved four pieces of legislation with goals of furthering federal research and development in the energy and healthcare information technology arenas. Among the bills marked up today by the full Committee was H.R. 364, to provide for the establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the third piece from Chairman Bart Gordon's (D-TN) innovation package to clear the Committee. The bill was adopted by a … Continue Reading
May 22, 2007Gordon Begins Effort to Integrate U.S. Healthcare/Patient Information Technologies
(Washington, DC) U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) has introduced legislation authorizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish guidelines and mechanisms to promote the integration of the healthcare information enterprise in the United States.“The U.S. boasts the finest healthcare system in the world, yet doctors and patients still don’t have access to comprehensive health information. Healthcare is the fastest growing … Continue Reading
May 21, 2007House Advances Major U.S. Competitiveness, Science/Math Education Package
(Washington, DC) Today, the U.S. House of Representatives followed through on a commitment to insure U.S. students, teachers, businesses and workers are prepared to continue leading the world in innovation, research and technology - well into the future. "I can't repeat it often enough - providing high quality jobs for hard working Americans must be our first priority. And in order to accomplish that, we must be proactive," said House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon … Continue Reading
May 18, 2007Miller Calls on ExxonMobil to Reveal Its Continued Funding of Phony Science
(Washington, DC) The Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology today urged a full accounting of ExxonMobil's financial support of global climate skeptics. After repeated assurances from ExxonMobil, a new report from Greenpeace USA's Research Department indicates the oil company continues to fund 41 think tanks and front groups by funneling $2.1 million in grants in 2006 to help them orchestrate denial of global warming … Continue Reading
May 17, 2007Subcommittee Focuses on Ensuring the Health and Vitality of NASA’s Current and Future Workforce
(Washington, DC) The House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today examined a range of National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) workforce issues identified by the recently released reports of two independent review panels. The Subcommittee's work is aimed at ensuring the health and vitality of the NASA workforce in the 21st century. "Now it's obvious that NASA's workforce is critical to the success of NASA's missions," said Subcommittee … Continue Reading
May 17, 2007Lampson Leads Subcommittee Look at Renewable Energy Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Harnessing the power of geothermal and ocean energy was the topic of discussion during a hearing of the Science & Technology Committee's Energy and Environment Subcommittee. Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX) led discussion on two pieces of legislation before the Committee that address research development, demonstration, and commercial application (RDD&CA) of technologies to tap the two renewable energy resources: H.R. 2304, the Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and … Continue Reading
May 16, 2007Miller and Lampson Challenge Proposal to End Funding for Savannah River Ecology Lab
(Washington, DC) The Investigations and Oversight (I&O) Subcommittee and the Energy and Environment (E&E) Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology today called on Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to continue funding for the Savannah River Ecology Lab. The mission of the lab is to study effects of the Savannah River Nuclear Weapons facility on the surrounding environment. It has been recognized internationally as a leader in radiation ecology and a training ground … Continue Reading
May 16, 2007Committee Continues Effort to Address Climate Change
(Washington, DC) At the third of a series of hearings aimed at addressing the science, research and findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fourth Assessment Report, the House Committee on Science and Technology was today the first Congressional forum for the distinguished authors of the recently released Third Working Group Report. That report - released May 4, 2007 in Bangkok - highlights the key findings of the comprehensive appraisal of the current state of scientific … Continue Reading
May 15, 2007Subcommittee Investigates How to Better Prepare Math and Science Educators
(Washington, D.C.) Recognizing that math and science educators play a major role in keeping the U.S. competitive in a 21st century economy, members of the Science and Technology Committee's Research and Science Education Subcommittee today investigated educators' experiences working with federal science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs for K-16 students. During the hearing, Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) led members in examining if educators are utilizing information provided by … Continue Reading
May 15, 2007Subcommittee Examines Prospects for Advanced Coal Technologies
(Washington, DC) The Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment today heard from energy industry experts on the state of advanced coal technologies and carbon capture and sequestration strategies. The subcommittee examined the matter as part of its continued effort to bolster research and development of technologies aimed at reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases - in particular, carbon dioxide - in an effort to combat the affects of climate change. … Continue Reading