Science and Technology

As the only Ph.D. physicist in Congress, I work hard to make sure the scientific perspective has a seat at the table during policy discussions in Washington.
I am proud that our district is home to two world-class research laboratories, Argonne and Fermilab, where I spent 24 years as a high-energy particle physicist. Our national labs are the crown jewels of America’s science infrastructure, and I am proud to support robust funding so they can continue to conduct the research that is critical to addressing the challenges we face.
America must remain the world leader for science research and technological innovation. I was proud to help pass the CHIPS & Science Act, critical legislation to bolster our science infrastructure and promote American scientific and technological leadership for decades to come.
I’m also proud to support funding for increased STEM educational opportunities for students of all ages. It’s important that we open up opportunities for students from all backgrounds in the STEM fields, and I will continue to advocate for those critical resources.
More on Science and Technology
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that 14 of the Community Project Funding requests he submitted on behalf of Illinois’ 11th Congressional District were funded for a total of $16,383,000. Project funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations packages signed into law by President Trump.
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressmen Bill Foster (D-IL) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s digital identity infrastructure and protect individuals, businesses, and government programs from rapidly rising identity fraud and theft. The Stop Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Act establishes a government-wide approach to addressing vulnerabilities in online identity verification that are increasingly exploited by organized criminal networks and hostile nation-states.
Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after he voted in favor of the FY 2026 appropriations minibus, which passed the House:
Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL) and Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) announced that they sent a letter calling on social media platforms to combat foreign bot farms spreading disinformation and encouraging political violence.
By Edward Graham,
Managing Editor, Nextgov/FCW
One of the leading voices in Congress for the adoption of digital identifications said a federal agency is needed to verify the security of the software and hardware underpinning mobile phones and other authentication technologies.
Washington, DC — Tonight, as part of the PARTNER Act, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Strengthening Science Through Diplomacy Act, originally introduced by Reps. Bill Foster, Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Dusty Johnson (R-SD). This legislation would extend appropriate privileges and immunities to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, making it easier for CERN scientists to come to the U.S. to collaborate on scientific projects, such as Fermilab’s Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act. The bill would authorize $25 billion through Fiscal Year 2030 to support maintenance and infrastructure at the Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories.
The Trump administration’s proposal to cut the U.S. National Science Foundation budget by 56% has invoked concerns from universities - but they are hardly the only constituency bucking the move.