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 the Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient (WISE) Government Act to better equip federal agencies with the scientific literature necessary to make well-informed policy decisions. This legislation would require 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.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) voted in favor of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act to promote the financial security of working families, boost American competitiveness, and strengthen communities and small businesses. Specifically, this legislation will expand the Child Tax Credit and spur spending on research and development by businesses.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Casgevy, a first-of-its-kind treatment that uses the gene-editing tool CRISPR to target sickle cell disease (SCD):
“Today’s announcement from the FDA is fantastic news for the tens of thousands of people suffering from sickle cell disease nationwide.
Washington, D.C. – This week, Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan House resolution to establish December 3 as National 3D Printing Day.
The US international education sector has welcomed a piece of legislation that seeks to keep STEM graduates in America. However, concerns remain that political hurdles and a possible government shutdown will make the legislation difficult to pass.
The Keep STEM Talent Act was introduced earlier this year by bipartisan lawmakers including US representatives, Bill Foster, Mike Lawler, Wiley Nickel and Sylvia Garcia.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster is taking a hands-on approach to testing artificial intelligence.
As the only member of Congress with a doctorate in physics, the Naperville Democrat is using AI software frequently in hopes of learning more about an emerging field that fascinates the medical and science world and terrifies many others.
Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) introduced the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act to make certain advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree holders eligible for permanent resident status. This would allow these graduates to remain in the United States following their graduation and would remove barriers for them to work in the United States.
Lemont, IL - Today, Congressman Bill Foster released the following statement after the Department of Energy announced that Argonne National Laboratory, located in Illinois' 11th Congressional District, was awarded $3,484,765 in clean energy research funding. The funding, which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support targeted research and development to enhance the cybersecurity of distributed energy resources.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the introduction of the Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act, legislation that would allow the Department of Energy to create a testbed to pilot and study new, safer materials processing technologies needed to bolster our battery supply chain. This testbed would aim to kick-start a domestic materials processing industry in the United States with a focus on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and minimizing resource intensiveness.
Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL), Mark Takano (D-CA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) reintroduced the Office of Technology Assessment Improvement and Enhancement Act. This bill will strengthen the existing authorization for the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) by structuring the office to be more responsive and accessible to Members’ needs.