[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11002-11003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1867, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 
                       AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 349 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 349

       Resolved,  That at any time after the adoption of this 
     resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule 
     XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the 
     Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of 
     the bill (H.R. 1867) to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
     years 2008, 2009, and 2010 for the National Science 
     Foundation, and for other purposes. The first reading of the 
     bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against 
     consideration of the bill are waived except those arising 
     under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. General debate shall be 
     confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally 
     divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority 
     member of the Committee on Science and Technology. After 
     general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment 
     under the five-minute rule. It shall be in order to consider 
     as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the 
     five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
     recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now 
     printed in the bill. All points of order against the 
     committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived 
     except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. 
     Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to the 
     committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in 
     order except those printed in the portion of the 
     Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 
     of rule XVIII and except pro forma amendments for the purpose 
     of debate. Each amendment so printed may be offered only by 
     the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee and 
     shall be considered as read. At the conclusion of 
     consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall 
     rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as 
     may have been adopted. Any Member may demand a separate vote 
     in the House on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the 
     Whole to the bill or to the committee amendment in the nature 
     of a substitute. The previous question shall be considered as 
     ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage 
     without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with 
     or without instructions.
       Sec. 2. During consideration in the House of H.R. 1867 
     pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of 
     the previous question, the Chair may postpone further 
     consideration of the bill to such time as may be designated 
     by the Speaker.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui) 
is recognized for 1 hour.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the 
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings), 
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During 
consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose 
of debate only.


                             General Leave

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 349 and insert extraneous materials into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this rule permits the House to consider the 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007. This important 
legislation will be considered under an open rule with a preprinting 
requirement, allowing any Member to submit changes or improvements to 
the bill.
  Chairman Gordon, Chairman Baird, Ranking Member Hall, Ranking Member 
Ehlers, and the Science and Technology Committee have put together an 
excellent product, and I look forward to an open and constructive 
debate.
  I am proud that today's debate will shine a light on the National 
Science Foundation. The National Science Foundation is truly one of the 
Federal Government's greatest accomplishments. It features a rich 
tradition that has supported talented young investigators, made America 
the world leader in basic science and innovation, and laid the 
groundwork for the Nation's economic strength.
  This reauthorization also represents another important step in the 
implementation of the innovation agenda. By boosting scientific 
research and development, moving the Nation toward a clean energy 
economy, promoting broadband deployment, and supporting small business 
entrepreneurs, the innovation agenda will keep our promise to maintain 
and strengthen America's competitiveness and leadership in the global 
economy.
  At present the National Science Foundation supports research and 
education activities at over 2,000 universities colleges, K-12 schools, 
and research institutions throughout the country. It is unique among 
our Federal research enterprises in that NSF supports scientists and 
engineers across all disciplines.
  In a given year, NSF will support about 200,000 scientists, 
engineers, teachers, and students. That is why NSF has led to 
groundbreaking research in such varied fields as genetics, computer 
science, information technology, nanotechnology, and climate change.
  By way of example, in my district, NSF funds the UC Davis Center for 
Biophotonics Science & Technology. The center features dynamic and 
innovative research that harnesses light to facilitate revolutionary 
advances in biomedical science. The potential applications for medical 
research and treatment are groundbreaking and will offer hope to 
thousands of our constituents. That is the kind of research NSF 
supports.
  I would also like to point out that NSF resources are distributed on 
a competitive peer review basis; so an objective process allows for 
only the most worthy proposal to receive funding. This is the best kind 
of investment the Federal Government can make because the return on 
this investment is tremendous. By stimulating innovative research, we 
create educational opportunities for promising students and drive 
cutting-edge research throughout the country. There is no better way to 
fuel the economy and create quality jobs. That is why the National 
Science Foundation has broad and bipartisan support in Congress.
  This reauthorization provides $21 billion at NSF for fiscal years 
2008 through 2010. In doing so, it keeps us on the path to double the 
National Science Foundation funding by 2017. This was a key 
recommendation of the highly respected National Academy's report on 
U.S. competitiveness, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm.'' And this 
boost is urgently needed, since today NSF can only fund about a quarter 
of the grant proposals that are submitted.
  The bill also creates a pilot program targeted at new investigators 
so we can bring more talented young people into scientific research 
fields, and it directs NSF to facilitate public-private partnerships, a 
proven method to leveraging Federal investment and bolstering American 
competitiveness.
  Finally, this reauthorization bill is on the Agency's legacy of 
promoting math and science education by including the provisions of 
H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Math and Science 
Scholarship Act, which the House passed last week.
  With that, I thank the Science Committee once again for this 
excellent legislation. I look forward to a robust debate on this bill, 
and I hope we can work with the Senate to get it on the President's 
desk in short order.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
California for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Science Foundation plays an important role 
in making sure that our Nation is a global leader in the fields of 
science and engineering. This Federal agency provides critical support 
for researchers, educators, and students in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics. Specifically, Federal support allows 
American scientists to pursue high-risk, high-return fields that 
increase our Nation's competitiveness

[[Page 11003]]

and scientific knowledge, and it ensures we are able to attract the 
brightest minds to our colleges and universities.
  One area in which the National Science Foundation is supporting U.S. 
leadership in the sciences is in the Laser Interferometer Gravitational 
Wave Observatory Program, or ``LIGO'' for short. The LIGO program, 
which operates an observatory in Central Washington in my district, is 
trying to detect for the first time the existence of gravitational 
waves, which have been sought by physicists around the world since they 
were theorized by Albert Einstein. Their discovery would lead to a 
greater understanding of the makeup of the universe and would help 
solidify our Nation's lead in the field of physics and astrophysics.
  The President's fiscal year 2008 budget provides for the expansion of 
LIGO and nearly doubles funding available for the LIGO Hanford 
Observatory to allow for more advanced research. I am pleased that the 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act supports this proposed 
expansion.
  The LIGO program is not only an important investment in our Nation's 
science capability, but it also has been an instrument of learning for 
local communities. The LIGO's Hanford Observatory was recently awarded 
one of the first ever Science Education Advocate Awards by the 
Washington State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education 
Reform, a partnership of public schools and science institutions. LIGO 
is an excellent example of the National Science Foundation's dedication 
to funding world-class research while also helping to grow students' 
interest in the sciences.
  Mr. Speaker, if America is to continue to lead the world in science 
and the pursuit of knowledge, funding for the National Science 
Foundation is essential. The underlying legislation authorizes the 
National Science Foundation for 3 years at strong levels needed to 
maintain and strengthen research through the foundation.
  But, Mr. Speaker, I am once again disappointed that the Democrat 
majority has once again missed an opportunity to provide consideration 
for the National Science Foundation Act under an open rule that would 
allow all Members of the House to come to the floor and offer an 
amendment during consideration of the bill. The National Science 
Foundation was last authorized in 2002, and at that time, the 
Republican majority allowed the bill to be considered under a truly 
open rule. I am disappointed that the Democrat majority has pledged a 
new era of openness but so far has not lived up to their commitment. 
Instead, it frankly has tried to change the definition of what an open 
rule is.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1045

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am very much looking forward to the 
upcoming debate on the National Science Foundation reauthorizing that 
this rule allows. In discussing the various programs and initiatives at 
NSF, we will demonstrate how the Federal Government can strategically 
and effectively drive scientific discovery and innovation.
  The importance of the National Science Foundation and its mission 
must not be underestimated. While America has been blessed with 
abundant natural resources and defensible borders, it is the innovative 
spirit of our citizens that has driven this Nation's leadership in the 
global economy.
  Throughout our history, we have been willing to experiment, to take 
risks, to constantly redefine what is possible. That tradition has 
given us a competitive advantage over other countries that has created 
prosperity for the Nation, improving the quality of life for all our 
constituents.
  As Members know well, our leadership in the global economy is at risk 
today. While we face rising threats from countries like India and 
China, we have also failed to make the necessary investments in 
education, science, and research and development to maintain the 
foundation of knowledge that has served us so well in the past.
  This NSF reauthorization takes great strides to remedy that neglect. 
Most importantly, by committing to double NSF funding over the next 10 
years, we demonstrate that ensuring the Nation's competitiveness is of 
the highest priority.
  As the House continues to consider items from the innovation agenda, 
the importance we place on competitiveness will be demonstrated again 
and again.
  With that, I look forward to today's debate and continuing to move 
forward on measures like this one that will bolster innovation and 
competitiveness.
  I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the 
previous question on the resolution
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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