House Joins In Honoring NASA's Michoud Facility Hurricane Katrina "Ride-Out" Team
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H. Res. 892 - submitted by Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) - recognizing the dedication of the employees at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in Southeast Louisiana. The resolution honors a team of facility employees who voluntarily stayed behind during Hurricane Katrina last August to protect the valuable space flight hardware critical to NASA's space shuttle program from the floodwaters. As hurricane winds exceeded 130 miles per hour and storm … Continue Reading
July 24, 2006Gordon: Commerce Report on Offshoring Confirms U.S. Job Losses May Accelerate
Job losses continue in industrial sectors across the U.S. with little response from the Federal Government, noted U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). Gordon and fellow Committee Democrats have sought to highlight this growing problem - known as "offshoring" - in an attempt to insure hard working Americans are kept in the loop on the state of their jobs. Democrats' efforts have centered on obtaining data compiled in 2004 by analysts at the Technology … Continue Reading
July 19, 2006Science Democrats Find Much Work Remains on Improving U.S. Voting Systems
(Washington, DC) The House Committee on Science today held a joint hearing with the Committee on House Administration to investigate the status and reliability of U.S. voting systems. Work in this area has been ongoing since the elections held in 2000. "The development of new voting standards by NIST and the EAC was meant to improve the accuracy, reliability and integrity of our voting systems. However, the facts today highlight that these updated guidelines may have little impact when we … Continue Reading
July 18, 2006National Academies Provides Solid Blueprint for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Program
The House Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today held a hearing on the future of NASA's aeronautics program. Experts caution that declining aeronautics R&D budgets have cast serious doubt on the future relevance of aeronautics research at NASA -endangering U.S. progress and competitiveness in this important field. "Our Federal aeronautics research capabilities and accomplishments have long been the envy of the world," stated Subcommittee Ranking … Continue Reading
July 13, 2006GAO: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Still Faces “Considerable Challenges”
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released a report on its review of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) program. Development of the JWST was cited as the highest priority in astronomy and astrophysics in the National Academies' 2000 Decadal Survey, with the goal of allowing astronomers "to peer into the distant past and see, for the first time, the birth of the modern universe." Since its inception, the JWST program has undergone significant cost growth … Continue Reading
June 27, 2006Democrats Improve, Amend Committee Energy Package; Urge More Work Before House Consideration
Today, the U.S. House Committee on Science considered a package of energy legislation intended to address America's energy challenges - H.R.5656, Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2006. Democrats generally supported the bill - which contained many of their amendments - but they also urged the Majority to include other needed provisions as the bill moves forward. "Whether we are talking about our increasing reliance on foreign sources of … Continue Reading
June 21, 2006Remarks by the Hon. Bart Gordon for the Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences' Government - University - Industry Research Roundtable
Thank you for inviting me to participate in this meeting on strategies for U.S. competitiveness. You have asked me to comment on the status of relevant legislative initiatives. At the outset, I would stress that competitiveness is not a partisan issue; it's a practical one. Unless we maintain our edge in innovation through a strong science and technology enterprise, the best jobs may soon be found overseas, instead of in our communities. Today's children may grow up and have a lower … Continue Reading
June 14, 2006Committee Reports NOAA Organization Bill – Again
The U.S. House Committee on Science resumed work today that began more than one year ago. In the Committee's second consideration of an act to formalize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a recognized federal agency, Democrats again attempted to strengthen the much-needed legislation. "I believe it is important to get this legislation right," stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "The Organic Act for NOAA must include the tools the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2006What Will NASA’s Future Workforce Look Like?
The House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today examined whether NASA's current workforce strategy is putting in place the proper tools to meet future agency needs. The verdict: more has to be done to ensure that NASA will be able to attract and retain the workforce it will need to carry out its core missions in science, aeronautics, and exploration. "Ensuring that NASA has the right workforce for the future is going to be no small task and we owe it both to … Continue Reading
June 08, 2006NPOESS/Nunn-McCurdy Findings Leave Unanswered Questions on the State of U.S. Weather Forecasting Satellites
The House Science Committee today heard from agencies involved in the construction of a vital U.S. weather forecasting satellite that has fallen severely behind schedule and is vastly over budget. This is not the first hearing the Committee has held on the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program, and it certainly will not be the last. Today’s topic: the findings of a mandated federal review, known as a Nunn-McCurdy Review (10 U.S.C … Continue Reading
June 07, 2006Democrats Significantly Improve and Support House Competitiveness Legislation
The U.S. House Committee on Science today advanced legislation aimed at spurring global competitiveness and improving science and math education. Committee Democrats were successful in shaping the legislation to address the key recommendations of a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report entitled Rising Above the Gathering Storm. That influential report was issued last fall and warned the U.S. could fall behind our global counterparts without immediate action. The education bill … Continue Reading
June 07, 2006Prepared Testimony by Rep. Mark Udall Presented to Aerospace States Association "Hearing" on National Aeronautics Policy
Good afternoon. I would like to commend the Aerospace States Association for organizing this hearing on a national policy for aeronautics research and development. In addition, I want to thank you for the opportunity to appear before you in person today to talk about something that I care deeply about - the health and future direction of aeronautics R&D in the United States. I know that I don't need to tell any of you that progress in aeronautics is crucial to the health of the nation's … Continue Reading
June 05, 2006Lipinski: Alternative Vehicles and Fuels Will Promote Energy Independence and Cost Savings
NAPERVILLE, IL - Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) spoke in strong support of gasoline alternatives to power our transportation needs at today's hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Energy. The hearing focused on the commercialization and development progress of alternative vehicles and fuels. "Working families, small businesses, and consumers in the Third District and across the country are feeling the pinch of high gas prices, with no end in sight," … Continue Reading
May 24, 2006NIST Researchers Set Standard for Scientific Excellence
The House Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Environment, Technology & Standards today recognized Federal researchers who are setting the standard for scientific excellence. "The researchers before us today are outstanding in their fields," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. David Wu (D-OR). "In fact, it is my experience that all the researchers at NIST are first-rate. NIST's work in metrology and standards has put it at the forefront of many fields of scientific … Continue Reading
May 22, 2006GAO: NASA’s Ability to Meet Future Deep Space Communications Demand Is at Risk
In a report released today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) - the agency's primary system for communicating with spacecraft beyond low Earth orbit - is not well positioned to meet the coming demands of the Vision for Exploration and future deep space science missions. The GAO report concluded that "NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) is able to meet most of the requirements of its current workload, but serious questions exist as to … Continue Reading
May 19, 2006House Approves Gordon Amendment For Federal Energy Efficiency
The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) that would save more than $200 million a year by making the Federal Government a leader in energy efficiency. "The Federal Government needs to set an example for the American people," said Gordon. "Despite the high cost of energy and existing laws requiring increased conservation and energy efficiency, Federal agencies still do not make this issue a … Continue Reading
May 17, 2006Honda: Hybrid Technology Offers Tremendous Opportunity
The U.S. House Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Energy today examined the potential and feasibility of "plug-in" hybrid vehicles. With consumers scrambling for ways to reduce energy costs, plug-in hybrids may offer a viable alternative. This and other emerging energy technologies are aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources, lowering consumer costs and fostering better environmental stewardship. "I'm a Prius driver myself, so you can count me among … Continue Reading
May 16, 2006Remarks by the Hon. Dan Lipinski for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Early Career Forum
Engineers and America's Future Challenges I am often in a sea of lawyers and businessmen on the House floor. Occasionally, I am asked, "how does your training as an engineer help you?" Certainly it helps in understanding science and technology, math and science education, and transportation and manufacturing issues. But engineering is more than that. At its heart, engineering is problem solving. Today, possibly more than ever, our country needs its engineers to tackle the … Continue Reading
May 15, 2006Democrats Call For NOAA Leadership's Removal
House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and ETS Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. David Wu (D-OR) are calling for the removal of NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. (Ret.) and General John J. Kelly Jr., Deputy Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. "If this isn’t ‘the fleecing of America,’ I don’t know what is," stated Rep. Gordon. "If we’re to have any hope of stopping this train wreck, NOAA must have new leadership - the sooner, the … Continue Reading
May 11, 2006Dems Demand Answers on NOAA Satellite Project Billions Over Budget and Behind Schedule
After numerous informal inquiries and more than one public hearing, House Science Committee Democrats today demanded the NOAA Administrator own up to the severe problems facing the agency’s largest program - NPOESS. "Despite repeated assurances from Admiral Lautenbacher and other NOAA officials that problems were being addressed, this program is in complete disarray," stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "The cost overruns are enormous and NPOESS is far behind schedule. … Continue Reading