Pelosi Names Gordon as Lead Democrat on House Science Committee

January 5, 2004

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today announced that she would nominate Congressman Bart Gordon of Tennessee to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science.

“I am pleased to submit Bart Gordon’s name to the Democratic Steering Committee,” Pelosi said. “Bart has unparalleled expertise and understanding of the issues before the Science Committee, especially those relating to space and aeronautics. He will make an outstanding Ranking Member, and future Chairman, of the committee.”

Gordon was first appointed to the Science Committee in 1985, and has been Ranking Member of two subcommittees. He participated in the congressional review of the Challenger space shuttle accident in 1986. And as the Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, he led congressional efforts to open up and widen the scope of the investigation into the space shuttle Columbia tragedy last February. He is also a leading proponent of a safe human space-flight program.

Gordon has been a leader on cyber-security legislation designed to implement policies and technologies to keep the government's computers from being sabotaged or compromised.

The Science Committee has jurisdiction over federal scientific research and development at a number of agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy, and National Science Foundation. The committee also proposes ways in which research and development can solve some of our nation's most pressing problems.

Pelosi will soon nominate a replacement for the new vacancy on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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