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) introduced H.R. 7189, the Expanding Transparency of Information and Safeguarding Toxics (EtO is Toxic) Act of 2018. The legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and its National Air Toxic Assessment (NATA) assessments in the Federal Registry where it would be accessible to state and local health agencies, other federal agencies, and international health organizations.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the release of the National Climate Assessment on the potential consequences of climate change on the United States. The National Climate Assessment is a report issued by 13 federal agencies and is mandated by Congress every four years to study the effects of climate change in the United States. This report estimated that climate change could reduce growth domestic product by ten percent by the year 2100.
AURORA, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement following a 60 Minutes interview in which President Trump claimed that scientific advice can be ignored on the grounds that scientists have a political agenda:
Aurora, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after it was announced that the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, former director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy founder, Dr. Leon Lederman, had passed away at the age of 96:
Join Congressman Bill Foster for a discussion about mental health & substance use disorder.
Mental health problems and substance use disorders sometimes occur together. Many individuals who develop substance use disorders are also diagnosed with mental disorders, and vice versa. However, addiction is more complex than a disease and more complex than a mental health issue.
This is event is FREE and open to the public.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Steven Knight (R-CA) announced that the bipartisan Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act was signed into law last week. The legislation authorizes $45 million to support the creation of three public-private partnership projects to develop energy storage technology that is commercially viable and can adequately support the electrical grid.
Dina Fine Maron, Scientific American
Before being elected to Congress in 2008, Representative Bill Foster of Illinois, a Democrat, worked for more than 20 years as a physicist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Ill. Now, as the only member of Congress with a Ph.D. in science, he says there is an urgent need for more scientists in politics.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced H.R. 6501, the Well-Informed, Scientific, and Efficient (WISE) Government Act. The WISE Government Act requires the Government Services Administration to work with the Library of Congress, agency libraries, and government information services to identify ways to make accessing scientific literature more efficient and to identify short and long-term solutions.
Clive Thompson, WIRED
CONGRESS IS FINALLY turning its attention to Silicon Valley. And it's not hard to understand why: Technology impinges upon every part of our civic sphere.
WASHINGTON, DC – "Scott Pruitt's resignation is long overdue. He not only deliberately reversed years of environmental regulations and climate change research, he also wildly misused taxpayer money for unnecessary and wasteful purchases. Every member of the Trump administration, including the President, should take their job seriously and advance the long-term interests of the American people instead of business interests or personal comfort.