(Washington, DC)  U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) announced the Democratic Subcommittee leadership slate for the 109th Congress, as selected today by the Science Committee Democratic Caucus.

“This team of energetic Subcommittee Ranking Members will provide strong Democratic leadership for the Science Committee in the 109th Congress,” stated Rep. Gordon.  “We look forward to being a powerful voice for the interests of both the science community and our country as we move forward on important issues like NASA reauthorization, cleaning-up methamphetamine in our communities, improving our country’s tsunami warning systems, and many others.”

Science Subcommittee Ranking Members for the 109th Congress include:

  • Subcommittee on Energy: Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA)
  • Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards:  Rep. David Wu (D-OR)
  • Subcommittee on Research: Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-OR)
  • Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics: Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO)

New Ranking Members offered comment on their subcommittee assignments and plans for the 109th Congress:

Rep. Mike Honda:  “I’m excited about this opportunity to lead the Democrats on the Energy Subcommittee.  Energy supply and consumption are critical to our nation’s security and prosperity, and the solutions to our problems lie in new technologies and the basic science that underlies them, such as those we will hear about in the committee hearing on fuel economy and those included in the research portion of the energy bill.  I also look forward to working with Chairwoman Biggert on enhancing the scientific research capabilities of the Department of Energy.”

Rep. David Wu:  “Being the Ranking Member on the Environment, Technology, and Standards subcommittee gives me ability to fight for so many issues important to America today, including our ability to compete in a 21st Century economy, protecting intellectual property rights in our high tech sector, and ensuring that our small businesses have access to the latest innovation research and technology transfers.”

Rep. Darlene Hooley:  “The Research Subcommittee has great implications for Oregon,” said Congresswoman Hooley.  “The actions of this panel will help make our nation more secure, be it enhancing computer security, protecting our local communities from wildfires or defending our coastlines from the threat of tsunamis.  We have much to accomplish and I look forward to leading my colleagues on an ambitious agenda.”

Rep. Mark Udall:  “I’m excited about the opportunity to take a leadership role as Ranking Member on the Space Subcommittee.  This subcommittee is well-positioned to address many issues facing our nation’s space program, including the President’s Moon-Mars proposal and how it should be funded, the life of the Hubble Space Telescope, space and earth science, and research and development, all of which are important to Colorado’s space economy – the fourth largest in the country.  I look forward to working with Subcommittee Chairman Calvert to help shape the Subcommittee’s agenda in the 109th Congress.”