1) What does the Science
Committee do?
2) What is the jurisdiction of each Subcommittee?
3) When was the Committee established?
4) Does the Science Committee offer internships?
5) Where can I find information on Science
Committee legislation?
6) Where can I find official hearing records?
7) How can I watch a Committee hearing?
8) How can I contact the Committee?
1) What does the Science Committee do?
The Science Committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense
federal scientific research and development (R&D).
Federal agencies that fall under the Committee's jurisdiction
(either completely or partially) include: National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy
(DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National
Science Foundation (NSF), Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
U.S. Fire Administration, and U.S. Geological Survey.
The Science Committee is responsible for overseeing
research and development programs at all of the above
agencies. In doing so, the Committee monitors these
programs to ensure that Federal tax dollars are being
spent wisely and efficiently and that America's Federal
science and technology enterprise maintains its world
preeminence.
Additionally, the Committee also tackles some of today's
toughest issues and proposes ways in which research
and development can solve some of our nation's most
pressing problems.
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2) What is the jurisdiction of each Subcommittee?
The Science Committee is divided up into four subcommittees:
a) Subcommittee on Energy - The Energy Subcommittee
is charged with overseeing research and development
programs at DOE. Issues that the Subcommittee deals
with range from alternative sources of energy, renewable
energy, nuclear energy, and cutting edge science performed
at DOE's national labs.
b) Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards
- This Subcommittee's primary jurisdiction is EPA, NOAA,
NIST, and technology programs at the Department of Commerce.
Recent issues before the Committee include climate change
research, establishing standards for voting machines,
marine sciences and ensuring sound science in environmental
regulations.
c) Subcommittee on Research - The Research Subcommittee
monitors NSF and matters before the Subcommittee include
improving science and math education, enhancing the
nation's computer security, improving information technology
research and development and research into natural disasters.
d) Subcommittee on Space - NASA is the primary concern
of the Space Subcommittee, including space exploration
and the International Space Station. In addition, the
Subcommittee oversees civilian aviation research at
FAA and the Department of Commerce.
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3) When was the Committee established?
The Science Committee was established in the wake of
the Russian launch of Sputnik in 1957 and in the beginning
the Committee was primarily focused on space exploration.
In 1959, the Committee became the first new permanent
committee established in the House since 1892. Over
the years, the Committee's jurisdiction grew from just
space issues to include all non-defense federal scientific
research and development.
To find a complete version of the Committee's history
click
here.
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4) Does the Science Committee offer internships?
The Science Committee offers unpaid internships year-round.
There is no application deadline for these internships
and the schedule is very flexible. To submit an application
click
here.
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5) Where can I find information on Science Committee
legislation?
Click
here to find information on the status of bills
referred to the Science Committee. You can also find
bill summaries, bill co-sponsors and legislative action
at the Library of Congress' website "Thomas
- Legislative Information on the Internet."
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6) Where can I find official hearing
records?
The Science Committee hearing records are generally
compiled 2-3 months following the hearing. The official
record includes a transcript of the hearing, additional
materials and any post-hearing questions submitted by
Members. Hearing records are available online by clicking
here or at your local Library of Congress Federal
Depository.
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7) How can I watch a Committee hearing?
Unless otherwise specified, all Committee hearings
are open to the public. Seating is on a first come -
first served basis and some hearings fill up quickly.
To see a current schedule of Committee hearings click
here.
Additionally the Committee broadcasts all its hearings
live on the internet. The broadcast generally begin
a few minutes before each hearing's scheduled time and
can be accessed by a link on the Science Committee home
page. Archived broadcasts of past hearings can also
be found by clicking
here.
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8) How can I contact the Committee?
2320 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6371 - phone
(202) 226-0113 - fax
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