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 – This week, the House Committee on Appropriations announced that the fiscal year 2020 legislative branch funding bill will include $6 million to re-establish the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA).
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced H.R. 2400, the American Innovation Act. The legislation would support the steady growth of federal investment in scientific and technological research.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) announced that they will serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Research & Development Caucus for the 116th Congress. The R&D Caucus was established in the 108th Congress with the purpose of highlighting the economic and societal importance of research and development, and to advocate for federal research and development funding.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution, H.Res. 232, in honor of Pi Day, March 14. Pi (represented by the Greek letter π) is an irrational number representing the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle that mathematicians, architects, engineers, and scientists use in calculations. Although the decimal digits of π continue randomly forever, the number is commonly rounded to 3.14, making March 14 the appropriate day to celebrate the number.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2020:
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's State of the Union address:
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster announced that he will continue to serve on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Financial Services in the 116th Congress. On the Financial Services Committee, he will serve on the Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets as well as the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions. On the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Foster will serve on the Subcommittee on Energy and the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
Maggie Astor, New York Times
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — From a couch on the back deck of a dockside restaurant, the Beatles playing in the background and a breeze blowing off the water, Joe Cunningham gestured to Shem Creek.
"This could be the reality here, of oil rigs and oil spills off the beach," Mr. Cunningham said. "An oil spill could just decimate the area, and all of a sudden instead of people coming to Charleston, South Carolina, they high-tail it down to Florida or somewhere else."
Joliet, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that the University of St. Francis will receive an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the amount of $649,677. The funding will be provided through the NSF's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program and will help support the university with retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that he has been named Co-Chair of the National Labs Caucus in the 116th Congress. The caucus advocates for federal investment in research at America's 17 national labs, and it will raise awareness about the importance of national labs for economic growth. Foster will co-chair the caucus with Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY).