Committee Addresses Latest IPCC Report on the Affects of Climate Change
(Washington, DC) The U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology today heard from several of the world's leading climate change scientists on the coming affects of the global phenomena. Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) led the Committee's continuing effort to combat climate change with an assessment of the just-released report, Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, prepared by Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). "This … Continue Reading
April 17, 2007House Commemorates Landmark Year in Space Science
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives honored the initiation of the space age by passing H.Con.Res. 76, Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. The bill was reported by the Science and Technology Committee last month. H.Con.Res. 76, introduced by Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO), honors the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY). During the IGY (1957-1958), internationally-coordinated … Continue Reading
April 16, 2007GAO Finds Science Agencies Have Few Activities Left To Outsource To Private Sector
(Washington, DC) Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, today received from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) a report on the use of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76 by the agencies under the Committee's jurisdiction. "Between 2003 and 2005, GAO says that there were only 22 competitions under Circular A-76 at these science agencies. There were only three cases where the private sector was determined to be the … Continue Reading
April 12, 2007Committee Welcomes Decision to Restore New Ozone Sensor to Full Capacity
(Washington, DC) Senior Members of the House Committee on Science and Technology welcomed a decision this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to move forward with the full-capability Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) sensor on the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) mission. The NPP is a precursor for the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) weather … Continue Reading
April 06, 2007Gordon: IPCC Report Delivers Sobering Message
(Washington, DC) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this morning in Brussels released the second in a series of major reports due out this year on global climate change and its affects. Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) today issued the following statement on the report: "For the first time, the world's top scientists are able to confidently attribute changes in a wide variety of ecosystems in all parts of the world to human-induced global … Continue Reading
April 05, 2007Gordon Comments on Forthcoming IPCC Report on Impacts of Climate Change
(Washington, DC) - "Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability," the second volume of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report will be released in Brussels tomorrow (April 6, 2007). Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) today issued the following statement on the upcoming report: "Our understanding of human activity influences and impacts on climate change has been improving due to these reports. I expect that this assessment will also provide us with … Continue Reading
April 03, 2007Gordon, Miller, Nelson Move Toward Hearings on NASA IG Investigation
(Washington, DC) - One day after calling for the removal of Robert Cobb as inspector general (IG) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), U.S. House Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC), and U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics and Related Matters Chairman Bill Nelson (D-FL), again joined forces to make clear to all federal agencies involved that they could expect … Continue Reading
April 02, 2007Gordon, Miller, Senator Nelson Call for Removal of NASA Inspector General
(Washington, DC) - Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) today released a letter to the President calling for the removal of Robert Cobb as inspector general of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics and Related Matters both signed the letter.The action resulted from a report from the Integrity … Continue Reading
March 30, 2007Miller Questions Google’s Change to Pre-Katrina Satellite Maps
(Washington, DC) - Rep. Brad Miller, Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Science & Technology Committee, today asked Google Chairman Eric Schmidt to explain why Google had changed its satellite maps of the New Orleans region to pre-Hurricane Katrina images. "If current Google Maps satellite imagery is to be believed, Hurricane Katrina never struck New Orleans, there was never any flooding and thousands of people do not need to be living in trailers … Continue Reading
March 30, 2007Chairmen React to New Media Policy at Department of Commerce
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science & Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), and Subcommittee Chairmen Brad Miller (D-NC) and Nick Lampson (D-TX) released a letter raising reservations regarding the new media policy released yesterday by the Department of Commerce. "This policy was much needed and marks a step forward for the Department. However, I have some reservations about the fundamental lack of assurances regarding an employee's right to voice their personal views … Continue Reading
March 29, 2007Committee Examines the Progress and Problems of the Next Generation Air Transportation System Initiative
(Washington, DC) - The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today examined the status of the Next Generation Air Transportation System initiative (also known as NGATS or NextGen) and explored key issues related to the initiative and the federal interagency Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO).The success of the NextGen programs is “important because it concerns the future of America’s air transportation system, and the question is whether we … Continue Reading
March 29, 2007Subcommittee Examines How to Increase Students’ Interest in Math & Science, Prepare for 21st Century Economy
(Washington, D.C.) - Responding to the need to keep U.S. citizens competitive in a 21st Century economy, the Science & Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education led the final hearing to examine priorities for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) and members of the Subcommittee today heard from key stakeholders in the scientific and technical communities regarding core activities and policy initiatives for NSF. "If this country is … Continue Reading
March 28, 2007Committee Approves Legislation Strengthening Math & Science Education; Also Clears Commemoratives
(Washington, DC) - The House Committee on Science and Technology met today to consider three bills aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and space pioneers. H.R. 362, the "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds" Science and Math Scholarship Act passed the Committee with overwhelming support. The measure - sponsored by Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) - is designed to better prepare U.S. math and science teachers to equip students in these subjects. The … Continue Reading
March 28, 2007Subcommittee Members Examine How Big Business and Science Agencies Conspire to Distort Science
(Washington, DC) - Members of the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations today questioned industry efforts and attempts within science agencies to control which federal scientists get access to the media and how media campaigns are mounted to confuse the public. Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC) led today's hearing which used climate change science as a case study to relate how the deception works. From the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2007Subcommittee Members Look to the Future of U.S. Aviation in FAA Budget Hearing
(Washington, DC) - In its first subcommittee hearing of the 110th Congress, the Science & Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics examined the fiscal year 2008 (FY08) budget request for the research and development (R&D) programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and whether it is sufficient to meet the agency's priorities and the country's aviation needs. The Administration has proposed an R&D budget of $259 million for FAA in FY08. Among … Continue Reading
March 22, 2007Lampson: NOAA Budget Faces Challenges
(Washington, DC) - Members of the Science & Technology Committee's Energy & Environment Subcommittee looked into the President's proposed budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fiscal year 2008. "The work NOAA does everyday impacts our daily lives and supports our economy," said Subcommittee Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX). NOAA oversees U.S. weather forecasting, climate prediction, management of fisheries and coastal and ocean resources. The agency … Continue Reading
March 22, 2007Miller Seeks Data on Purdue Investigation Into Scientific Misconduct
(Washington, DC) Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC), Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, yesterday asked Purdue University to provide copies of reports stemming from their investigation into allegations of misconduct by a nuclear engineering professor engaged in low-energy nuclear fusion research. "Despite the University's statement that no misconduct had occurred, many disturbing questions remain about the scope and adequacy of the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2007Vice President Testifies Before Joint Subcommittee Hearing
(Washington, DC) House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) today welcomed fellow Tennessean and colleague Former Vice President Al Gore to a joint meeting of the Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and the Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. Vice President Gore testified on the importance of Congress taking action to combat the effects of climate change. "In the IPCC report released earlier this … Continue Reading
March 20, 2007Congressman Baird, Subcommittee Examine Priorities for National Science Foundation
(Washington, D.C.) - As part of an on-going effort to examine ways to increase the country's global competitiveness and students' interest in math and science, members of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education today heard from officials regarding key policy initiatives, programs, and education and training activities at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Specifically, the Subcommittee looked into what issues should be addressed through the 2007 NSF reauthorization bill. This … Continue Reading
March 20, 2007Remarks by Rep. Nick Lampson before the 45th Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium
I am honored today to speak at the 45th Goddard Memorial Symposium. So much in the future of space exploration requires the dedication of everyone here today. We just heard from distinguished speakers who commented on the history of the space age, and I'd like to build on those fine, insightful comments and talk a little more about where I see our space program going in the future. WHAT WE HAVE DONE While all of us here understand the importance of space exploration today and the answers … Continue Reading