Democrats 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
May 11, 2006Gordon, Udall Urge Appropriators to Restore Funding for NASA Science and Aeronautics
In a letter this week to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and Commerce, Science Committee Democratic leaders urged appropriators to increase NASA's FY07 funding level as recommended in the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. Without such augmentation, Democrats cautioned that NASA's science and aeronautics programs - as well as other important agency R&D efforts - are at risk. Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Space … Continue Reading
May 09, 2006Democrats Push For More Alternative Fuels in the Military
In an effort to move the nation towards greater energy independence, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Science Committee Ranking Democrat Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and House Armed Services Committee Member Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) submitted an amendment today to the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Defense Authorization bill that would increase the use of alternative fuels in the military. The Department of Defense is the largest single buyer of fuel in America and must be a part of … Continue Reading
May 05, 2006Democrats Urge NAS to Expand Review Criteria for OMB Risk Assessment Bulletin Review
Late last week, Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and fellow Ranking Members John Dingell (D-MI), Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Jim Oberstar (D-MN) asked the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) panel reviewing the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Proposed Risk Assessment Bulletin to clearly define and expand the scope of its investigation to insure that all issues raised in the bulletin are addressed. OMB's proposed bulletin raises a number of scientific and technical … Continue Reading
May 04, 2006U.S. Needs Coordinated, Comprehensive Approach to Drought Relief
The House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards today heard from experts on drought and drought forecasting and also pushed forward legislation to combat this type of natural disaster by coordinating U.S. efforts. "There is no doubt that drought has extremely harmful affects on our economy, however it is not always addressed as a natural disaster because it is slow to develop," stated Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO). "In my own home state of … Continue Reading
May 04, 2006Congresswoman Matsui Named to House Science Committee
Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) was named to the House Committee on Science today. This assignment is in addition to her seat on the House Rules Committee. "Science and research and development are critical to this country's global competitiveness and we as a nation must commit to nurturing scientific research and discovery," stated Congresswoman Matsui. "By being named to the Science Committee I can work to ensure we are setting a national policy that is making the … Continue Reading
May 03, 2006Well-Trained Teachers Should Be Priority #1 in STEM Education Effort
In a second round of hearings on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education today, House Science Democrats made clear that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is and should continue to be a key player in ensuring our nation's children are fully prepared in the STEM fields. "I was frankly disappointed that the STEM education component of the President's American Competitiveness Initiative totally ignored NSF's past and potential contributions to STEM education … Continue Reading
May 03, 2006Gordon Comments on Administration's Influenza Plan
As the Administration unveiled its plan today on how the U.S. would respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak, House Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following comment: "In our meetings with top leaders in pandemic flu preparedness, we discovered a complete lack of private business preparation and other non-pharmaceutical plans in place that highlight the need for social distancing measures to combat an outbreak of pandemic flu in this country. … Continue Reading
April 27, 2006Bold Approaches to Energy Research May Spur Innovation
In a time of rising gas prices and growing consumer energy concerns, the U.S. House Committee on Science today considered the establishment of a program to competitively award cash prizes in an effort to advance the long-term research and commercialization of hydrogen energy technologies. The Committee heard testimony from expert witnesses regarding H.R. 5143, The H-Prize Act of 2006, bipartisan legislation offered by Science Committee Members Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) and Rep. Dan Lipinski … Continue Reading
April 18, 2006Rep. Miller Calls on Secretary Spellings to Release Reports
Today, U.S. House Committee on Science Member Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) called on Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to publicly release materials that led Department officials to decide two Department-sponsored reports should not be made public because they failed to meet "scholarship standards." The reports were on charter school performance and bilingual education. In a letter to Secretary Spellings Congressman Miller wrote, "I encourage the Department to maintain … Continue Reading
April 10, 2006Udall Proposes National Drought Information System
Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) has introduced legislation that would create a national system to provide early warnings, forecasts, and information about drought conditions so that national, state and local communities can better address the impacts of drought. H.R. 5136, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Act of 2006, designates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the lead agency to create this system. It directs NOAA to build a national … Continue Reading