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, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Biden addressed a Joint Session of Congress:
"Tonight, President Biden laid out a bold plan to overcome this pandemic and build back an economy that is stronger and more equitable for all Americans.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after final House passage of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan, which now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law:
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the U.S. COVID-19 death toll passing 500,000 people:
"The magnitude of the loss of life our nation has endured over the past 12 months is immense, and we stand with everyone who is mourning the death of a loved one - including over 22,000 in Illinois alone.
Jory Heckman, Federal News Network
Congress, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has tasked agencies with distributing hundreds of billions of dollars in emergency relief.
But along the way, agencies have run into challenges verifying the identity of benefit recipients, and fraudsters have exploited gaps in this process, using stolen personal information to obtain pandemic relief.
Washington, DC – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) re-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.
Kartikay Mehrotra, Bloomberg
Last-minute changes to proposed federal standards for new voting machines could expose the equipment to cyber-attacks, according to some members of Congress and security professionals.
Martin Matishak, Politico
SHOW ME SOME I.D. — A bipartisan pair of House lawmakers is planning to revive a bill in the coming weeks that would revamp the government's approach to personal digital identification for U.S. citizens. The legislation — dubbed the "Improving Digital Identity Act" — was introduced last year but expired at the end of the 116th Congress without being acted on. Now, the measure's main boosters — Reps.
Justin Katz, FCW
Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) today said he will likely reintroduce legislation that aims to overhaul the country's fragmentary personal digital identification systems.
Foster previously introduced the "Improving Digital Identity Act of 2020" with Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) in September. He announced his intention to bring up the bill in the 117th Congress at a Feb. 4 event on digital identity hosted by the Better Identity Coalition, the FIDO Alliance and the ID Theft Resource Center.
Peter Gwynne, Science World
US President Joe Biden has signed a raft of executive orders to begin reversing several initiatives by former US president Donald Trump. On Wednesday, Biden – in his first day in office – re-joined the Paris climate accord and set out a national strategy to get the coronavirus pandemic under control.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on President Biden's Executive Order rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement:
"I applaud President Biden acting on Day One to rejoin the historic Paris Climate Agreement. This sends a clear message to the world that American leadership is back. We will not abdicate our responsibility to help protect the planet for future generations, and we will employ our nation's scientific infrastructure to tackle the challenge of climate change."