Candidate Responses for IL-9

Comparing responses to Innovation & the Elections 2008 for:

Innovation

Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

Janice Schakowsky

I strongly support the Democratic Innovation Agenda, legislation that would ensure that America's students, teachers, businesses, and workers will continue to be the world's leader in innovation, research, and technological development. The Agenda makes federal research and development investments while fostering public-private partnerships to promote private sector advancements. Through new technologies, America can combat global climate change and reduce our reliance on foreign oil by achieving energy independence.

In the 110th Congress, I have supported several pieces of legislation to further the Innovation Agenda. I voted in favor of H.R. 1868, the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) -- putting us on a path to doubling NIST over 10 years. NIST has improved the safety and quality of life for all Americans and enabled many of the breakthrough technologies of the past 100 years.

H.R.1868 also increases resources for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a public-private partnership which leverages federal, state and private investments to stimulate new manufacturing technologies and improve the productivity and competitiveness of small manufacturers.

I also strongly support the National Science Foundation and H.R. 1867, which authorizes $21 billion over three years, including increased funding for math and science education. Each year, NSF provides up 20 percent of all federal money awarded for basic research at American universities.

Finally, I supported H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, to increase grant funding for young scientists working on innovative research and to invest in their careers as scientists.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

Janice Schakowsky

Climate change poses one of the biggest threats to our environment, our health, and our way of life. Already, we see the drastic effects of climate change, with melting ice caps, species migrating north, and violent storms increasing in number and intensity. Even higher temperatures could flood major coastal cities around the world, contaminate freshwater sources, and subject all people to dangerous rays from the sun.

To address climate change, I believe the United States must change our energy and environmental policy to provide the earth with a sustainable future. As the world's biggest consumer of oil and one of the world's largest polluters, we bear a special responsibility to help change course. The Democratic Congress took a step toward achieving that goal by passing H.R. 6, the Energy Security and Independence Act which mandates large investments in renewable energy R&D, sets new appliance efficiency standards and implements the first increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in 30 years. Increasing fuel economy standards is one of the best ways to promote conservation, reduce prices and carbon emissions, and achieve energy independence.

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1590, the Safe Climate Act, to implement a cap-and-trade system to cut carbon emissions 80% from 1990 levels by the year 2050. The revenues it generates would be used to create a Climate Reinvestment Fund to maximize the public benefit and promote economic growth, including technology research and development, aid to consumers facing high costs, transition assistance for affected workers and regions, and environmental protections.

I have serious concerns about a carbon tax. First, unlike a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax does not establish a mechanism to enforce specific levels of carbon emission reductions. Carbon taxes are regressive and have regional implications that must be addressed.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Energy

Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

Janice Schakowsky

Rising energy prices and climate change demand a new energy vision to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I support provisions to bring down energy prices, increase renewable fuels use, and encourage efficiency. The Democratic Congress has worked to undo the misguided policies of the Bush Administration that ignored the potential of renewables and conservation. We took a major step by passing H.R. 6, the Energy Security and Independence Act, which mandates new investment in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. These sources are not only much better for the environment but can create millions of new "green jobs,” to replace the jobs lost during the Bush Administration's tenure.

We need an energy policy that is economically and environmentally sustainable. I support passing a renewable electricity standard (RES) to mandate that a percentage of America's electrical needs are met from renewable energy sources. An RES would stimulate domestic investment, creating jobs and income in rural areas as well as in the high tech and manufacturing sectors. Wind energy would provide $1.2 billion in new income for farmers and rural landowners by 2020 and 80,000 new jobs. Tripling use of biomass could provide up to $20 billion in new income for rural communities.

In addition to changing the supply side of America’s energy policy, we must also address the demand side and do more to help Americans become energy efficient. New, cleaner technology exists that can drastically reduce the energy consumption, improve the environment and reduce utility costs. I support grant programs and tax incentives to consumers who purchase energy efficient cars, appliances and equipment.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Education

A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

Janice Schakowsky

The federal government must play an active role in educating our students for the challenges of tomorrow. America is losing its place as a world leader in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education. The Bush Administration's choice to underfund No Child Left Behind by over $70 billion has only exacerbated the problem. Studies have shown that the mathematics and science achievement of American students is poor by international standards.

This Congress, I voted in favor of H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act, which takes important steps to place highly qualified teachers in math, science, and technology K-12 classrooms, based on the recommendations of the National Academies. It will invest in 25,000 new science and math teachers over five years, by increasing the number of scholarships for students majoring in STEM fields and committed to teaching.

H.R. 362 will also strengthen the skills of math, science and technology of up to 250,000 teachers by improving education and training opportunities for math and science teachers and expanding professional development, summer training institutes, and graduate education assistance. This bill also increases the number of grants available to nonprofit institutions to help improve elementary and secondary math & science instruction.

I am a cosponsor of H.R.6104, the Enhancing STEM Education Act, to improve the quality and increase the quantity and diversity of the STEM pipeline by coordinating federal STEM education programs and elevating the prominence of STEM education at the Department of Education. This legislation will also provide incentives for states to align STEM education and promote the dissemination of research and promising practices through a new National STEM Education Research Repository.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Water

Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

Janice Schakowsky

In the United States and throughout the world, water shortages present major problems. A United Nations study found that more than half of humanity will be living with water shortages, depleted fisheries and polluted coastlines within 50 years because of a worldwide water crisis. The study found waste and inadequate management of water as the main causes behind growing problems, particularly in poverty-ridden regions.

To raise the profile of this emerging crisis, I introduced H. Con. Res. 266, the Water for the World Resolution, which affirms that water is a global public good and should not be treated as a private commodity. It also recognizes that government policies should ensure that all individuals have equitable access to water to meet basic human needs and that no one is cut off from water due to economic constraints. In a 2003 report, the United Nations' Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights stated that water is a fundamental human right, and that access to water can mean the difference between life or death, health or sickness, and economic development or cyclical poverty.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Research

For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

Janice Schakowsky

Investing in basic research must remain a national priority. This investment yields incredible benefits for the country and medical advancements that will benefits countless individuals around the world. We cannot keep our country strong by short-changing basic research programs that will lead to critical advances in the future. We must adopt fiscal policies that make room in federal budgets for basic and other areas of research activities.

That is why I have so strongly supported Democratic budget proposals that reject the Administration's funding levels and that boost funding for scientific research. Our budget proposals increase funding for the National Science Foundation, basic research in the physical sciences, and collaborative research partnerships; and put us on the path toward achieving energy independence through the development of clean and sustainable alternative energy technologies. The budgets also initiatives to educate tens of thousands of new scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, and place highly qualified teachers in math and science K-12 classrooms.

I will continue to support policies -- such as ending the war in Iraq and rolling back the President's tax cuts for the country's wealthiest citizens -- that will allow us to fund critical scientific and engineering programs.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Health

Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

Janice Schakowsky

The opportunities for medical advances are enormous. Nanotechnology is already making great strides and has remarkable potential for developing nanomedicines, diagnostics, devices and implants that will improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. New screening devices -- including genetic testing but also more accurate tests for diseases from cancer to Alzheimer's -- will allow us to catch diseases early (or even before they emerge), when they are preventable or at least less costly to manage. Stem cell research has the ability to extend, improve and save lives. Health information technology will streamline a cumbersome and expensive health care system while allowing us to avoid medical errors.

These are all exciting developments but they require a commitment by the federal government to provide adequate assistance and resources. That is why, in the past few years, I have helped to organize letters, signed by dozens of my colleagues, requesting increased funding for the National Institutes of Health. It is also why I support increased funding for nanotechnology initiatives and science agencies, a greater reliance on scientists and science in decision making, and a lifting of restrictions that prevent progress on stem cell research. To ensure that breakthrough scientific achievements happen here in the United States, we need a strategic plan to encourage scientific education and educators and to provide the research facilities and grants needed to spur technological achievements.

Michael Younan

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Younan to participate by sending him an email today.

Scientists & Engineers for America

Candidate Responses for IL-9

Innovation

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

Climate Change

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

Energy

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

Education

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

Water

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

Research

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

Health

Janice Schakowsky

Michael Younan

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