The Freshman Class and Science & Technology

While there was not much discussion about science and technology during this year’s election, a number of freshman senators and representatives did mention science and technology issues during their campaigns. Others have a university connection, a science/technology/medical degree, or prior congressional experience. The following is information gleamed from various political biographies, and is not necessarily comprehensive.

SENATORS:

Wayne Allard (Republican-Colorado): Favors elimination of the Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Education. While serving as a representative in the 104th Congress, tried to terminate funding for Commerce’s Technology Administration.

Sam Brownback (Republican-Kansas): Proposes elimination of the Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Education.

Richard Durbin (Democrat-Illinois): As a representative, opposed SSC and space station funding.

Chuck Hagel (Republican-Nebraska): Favors elimination of the Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Education.

Tim Hutchinson (Republican-Arkansas): One of the few Republicans in the 104th Congress opposed to space station.

Mary Landrieu (Democrat-Louisiana): Wants federal funding for classroom computers.

REPRESENTATIVES (by state):

Marion Berry (Democrat-Arkansas): Degree in pharmacy.

Victor Snyder (Democrat-Arkansas): Physician

Ellen Tauscher (Democrat-California): Backs construction funding for Lawrence Livermore Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility, located in district.

Walter Holdren Capps (Democrat-California): College professor of religious studies.

Robert Schaffer (Republican-Colorado): Favors elimination of Departments of Energy, Commerce, Education.

James Maloney (Democrat-Connecticut): Favors federal promotion of clean fuel technologies.

Ed Pease (Republican-Indiana): Former vice president of Indiana State University.

John Cooksey: (Republican-Louisiana): Ophthalmologist

Jim McGovern (Democrat-Massachusetts): Supports federal-private R&D for environmental technologies.

Deborah Ann Stabenow (Democrat-Michigan): Favors federal-community efforts to foster technology in the classroom.

Roy Blunt (Republican-Missouri): President of Southwest Baptist University.

Jim Gibbons (Republican-Nevada): B.S., M.S. in geology. Worked as hydrologist and exploration geologist.

John Sununu (Republican-New Hampshire): Favors elimination of the Departments of Energy, Commerce, Education. M.S. in mechanical engineering.

David Price (Democrat-North Carolina): As a representative in previous Congresses, sponsored the Scientific and Advanced Technology Bill for community colleges. College professor of political science.

Ted Strickland (Democrat-Ohio): College professor, psychologist

Dennis Kucinich (Democrat-Ohio): College professor of political science and communications.

Harold Ford Jr. (Democrat-Tennessee): Supports installation of computers in every classroom with Internet access.

Pete Sessions (Republican-Texas): Favors elimination of Department of Energy, transferring many of its programs to the Defense Department.

Ron Paul (Republican-Texas): Physician

Silvestre Reyes (Democrat-Texas): Seeks seat on House Science Committee. Wants to make his district, which includes El Paso, water R&D center.

Chris Cannon (Republican-Utah): Called for the elimination of Departments of Commerce and Education. Stresses that new technologies are essential for strong economy. Seeks seat on House Science Committee. District is home to 150 high technology companies.

Merrill Cook (Republican-Utah): Favors elimination of Departments of Energy, Commerce and Education. Would preserve DOE’s national laboratories, and shift some Commerce Department programs to other federal agencies.

Brian Baird (Democrat-Washington): Psychologist

Jay Johnson (Democrat-Wisconsin): Campaigned on increasing Internet access for poorer school districts.

A final note: Rep. George Brown (Democrat-California) was re-elected by 865 votes.