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
Marni Pyke, Daily Herald
Illinois lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pushing back against cuts in President Donald Trump's proposed budget, which they warn could mean layoffs at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia and Argonne National Laboratory near Darien.
Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren of Plano, whose district includes Fermilab, called that portion of the president's budget a "non-starter." He estimates 150 to 200 jobs at the facility might be affected by the budget plan.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led a letter to the heads of federal science agencies, including the Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The letter was signed by fifty-five Members of Congress.
Craig Dellimore, CBS Chicago
Some local members of Congress are raising the alarm about proposed job and funding cuts at the Fermi Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Lab — and there's some political jabbing going on, too.
Democratic Congressman Bill Foster, the physicist, has Argonne Lab in his district. He says Democrats in Illinois' Congressional delegation sent Energy Secretary Rick Perry a letter seeking details of the proposed lab cuts, but couldn't get Republican colleagues to sign on.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Foster (D-IL) sent a letter to the Department of Energy to ask for more information on the number of jobs that would be eliminated at Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi Accelerator Laboratory if the Trump Administration's budget were enacted. The letter received the support of the entire Illinois Democratic delegation.
Anna Marie Kukec, Daily Herald
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster blasted President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement and said it will financially hurt suburban companies.
Those at risk include Argonne National Laboratory near Lemont, which researches long-lasting batteries for electric vehicles to reduce emissions, and Ecolab. Nalco Holding Co., which has operations in Naperville, is a subsidiary of Ecolab and makes technologies for water and food safety and energy efficiency.
Washington, D.C. - This budget is a demonstration of contempt for hard-working families and a devastating blow to the United States' position as a leader in science and innovation. It reveals the empty promises that the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress made to Americans to make our country great again. Instead of working to improve the lives of Americans, this budget will completely devastate programs on which so many rely and put our children's future at risk.
Washington, DC – On Thursday, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt concerning the recent dismissal of several members of the EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) co-led the letter, which was signed by 70 Members of Congress.
Kendra Pierre-Louis, Popular Science
Members of the House of Representative Committee on Science, Space & Technology—including representative Don Beyer (VA), Jacky Rosen (NV), Mark Takano (CA), and a number of other Democrats—have signed and submitted a letter to President Trump expressing concern over the President's methods of receiving scientific information.
Diane Moca, Naperville Sun
One of Chicago's most venerated meteorologists joined a Naperville congressman, several scientists and a former EPA regulator at North Central College Saturday to discuss climate change data and urge individuals to take action.
Jim Fuller, Daily Herald
A panel featuring WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling and physicist-turned-congressman Bill Foster told a supportive audience Saturday at North Central College that deniers of human-caused climate change are the equivalent of the people who caused thousands of deaths by denying the science on cigarettes decades ago.
Foster, a Naperville Democrat, helped organize the panel as President Donald Trump weighs a decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.