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, U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation to rename Fermilab’s Integrated Engineering Research Center (IERC) after the late Dr. Helen Edwards, who worked at Fermilab as a particle physicist for 40 years. The newly-constructed IERC, which was recently authorized for official use, will be home to new office and lab space that will host an intersection of scientific disciplines.
Gopal Ratnam, Roll Call
Two dozen mostly rural states are set to receive a greater share of federal research money from the recently enacted science and technology funding law as lawmakers, experts and researchers push to support talented scientists outside of major research hubs such as those in California, Massachusetts and New York.
Jenny Whidden, Daily Herald
The sweeping spending bill passed by Congress this month includes nearly $370 billion for energy and climate reform, making it the largest federal clean energy investment in the nation's history. Local environmental advocates and representatives say Illinois is uniquely positioned to take advantage of it.
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act:
"Today, I was proud to vote to send the Inflation Reduction Act to President Biden's desk. This historic legislation will cut costs for Illinois families, tackle the climate crisis, and reduce drug costs. And, since it is fully paid for by ensuring large corporations pay a minimum tax rate and cracking down on tax cheats, it will reduce our nation's debt.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement after President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law:
"The CHIPS and Science Act is a historic triumph for American science and technological competitiveness, and I'm proud of the bipartisan work we did in Congress to get it to President Biden's desk," Foster said. "This law will boost domestic supply chains to lower costs for families and make critical investments to ensure our country leads the way in technological development for generations to come.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the CHIPS and Science Act:
Jenny Whidden, Daily Herald
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and local congressmen visited Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont Monday to mark the completion of a new facility that will allow a closer look at clean energy sources such as electric vehicle batteries and nuclear energy materials.
"I'm so honored to be here and honored to be here representing an administration that very much believes in science," Granholm said during her visit.
David Matthews, Science Business
US lawmakers have warned that fake research papers risk compromising trust in the entire scientific system, as artificial intelligence (AI) makes it ever easier for so-called paper mills to fool journals into accepting made up articles.
Some estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of fake papers could exist in the human genomics literature alone. Paper mills have also managed to impersonate guest journal editors to wave through hundreds of their own fraudulent articles.
Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News
Building a robot that can throw Frisbees into a bin is one thing, but that was not what impressed U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm the most.
"You are looking outside just building the robot," Granholm said to the high school-age students, part of a robot-building team at the APS Academy in downtown Aurora.
The students had just told her that in addition to their robot, they were designing an app to help people find places to recycle batteries. It even included incentives to get people to recycle alkaline batteries, and get lifetime lithium batteries instead.
Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times
WASHINGTON — Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm hits the Chicago area Monday with stops at Argonne National Laboratory and Hyzon Motors, which makes zero-emission vehicles, to highlight the Biden administration's initiatives to combat climate change and spur development of clean energy.
Granholm, a former Michigan governor, made her first visit as energy secretary to the Chicago area in December, where, among other stops, she toured Fermilab in Batavia, the national particle physics and accelerator laboratory.