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 budget eliminates critical funding for science, education, and programs that keep Americans safe and healthy. It is hard to overstate how much damage this budget will do to our ability to remain at the forefront of innovation and problem solving. The proposed 31 percent cut in the Environmental Protection Agency will reduce our capacity to act on climate change. The nearly 20 percent cut to the National Institutes of Health will harm long term research on diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes, and opioid addiction.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the American Innovation Act, a measure that would support the steady growth of federal investment in scientific and technological research.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a bipartisan House resolution to designate March 14 as National Pi (π) Day.
Francie Diep, Pacific Standard
It's a fraught time for science and the American government. In his first few weeks in office, President Donald Trump appointed climate change deniers to his cabinet, promised to cut $54 billion from the part of the budget that funds research, and, for a little while, barred the Environmental Protection Agency from communicating with the public.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) testified before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee encouraging science funding in the FY2018 budget.
David Sharos, Aurora Beacon-News
Wind farms and the electricity grid, plus cars and cell phones are benefiting from technology developed over the course of a $120 million research project at Argonne National Laboratory, scientists told U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, during a recent annual review.
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) sent a letter signed by 71 Members of Congress to Kaléo Pharmaceuticals that requested more information on the recent increase in the price of its naloxone injector device, Evzio. This month, reports circulated that the company raised the price by over 600% from $690 in 2014 for a two pack to $4,500.
Washington, DC - I am deeply troubled by early reports that our scientific community is facing threats from the new presidential administration.
Science Friday
It's the first week of the 115th Congress and science is already in the hot seat. A bill introduced this week by House Republican Erik Paulson threatens to pull the plug on the medical device tax introduced under Obamacare, and which has already been suspended for two years. Many in the scientific community believe it's an ominous sign of things to come.
The report that President Elect Trump wants to identify civil servants at the Department of Energy who work on climate change and international diplomacy is deeply disturbing. It harkens back to an era when politicians sought out individuals for partisan politics with little basis of any wrongdoing. The United States has always been at the forefront of scientific inquiry and innovation.