Janice Schakowsky
202-225-2111
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1309
847-424-1998
P.O. Box 5130
Evanston, IL 60204
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1309
847-424-1998
P.O. Box 5130
Evanston, IL 60204
Biography
SCHAKOWSKY, Janice D., a Representative from Illinois; born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; May 26, 1944; attended Sullivan High School, Chicago, Ill.; B.S., University of Illinois, 1965; Director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens, 1985-1990; member of the Illinois state general assembly, 1990-1998; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Sixth and to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1999-present).
Committees
- Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Vice Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
- Member, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
- Member, Subcommittee on Health
- Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
- Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Compare Innovation & the Elections 2008 responses for IL-9.
SEA and eighteen other science organizations have come together to ask the 2008 congressional candidates seven questions on science and technology policy. See what Janice Schakowsky has said:
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Login/Register to EditJANICE SCHAKOWSKY ON SCIENCE
Education
- Educational Training
- With a vote of 416-0 the House of Representative approved the Green Energy Education Act of 2007 (H.R. 1716) in June of 2007. The bill will allow the Secretary of Energy to contribute research and development funds to the National Science Foundation for the purpose of supporting graduate education that is related to energy technology. It also authorizes the Secretary to provide funds for the improvement of undergraduate and graduate engineering and architecture curriculum on the design and construction of "high performance buildings." Representative Schakowsky voted for this bill. H.R. 1716 was ultimately integrated into the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 2272) which is now law, but was not fully funded in the budget.
- Educational Funding
- Representative Schakowsky voted for the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362). The legislation will require the National Science Foundation to increase its funding of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program with the goal of increasing the number of math and science teachers by up to 10,000 per year. The Noyce program provides scholarships to math, science, technology, and engineering students who commit to becoming teachers upon graduation. The legislation passed with a vote of 389-22.
- Teaching Evolution/Intelligent Design
- Nothing posted to date
Energy
- Fuel Economy Standards
- See discussion of CLEAN Energy Act under Renewable Energy section.
- Nuclear Power
- Nothing posted to date
- Renewable Energy
- In January of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). This legislation is intended to address a royalties oversight that occurred when the Department of the Interior issued leases for off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from 1998 to 1999. The bill would also deny income tax deductions for oil and gas companies. Revenues generated from these provisions would be used for the development of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. Opponents of the bill claimed that the legislation would raise costs for the domestic production of oil and could increase foreign oil imports. Representative Schakowsky voted for this legislation, which passed with a vote of 264-163.
During consideration of H.R. 6 in June of 2007, the Senate changed the focus of the legislation into developing a more comprehensive energy bill that focused on the development of renewable fuels, energy conservation, and increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. In the face of a veto threat from President Bush, the House passed the Senate version of H.R. 6 with amendments by a vote of 235-181 on December 6, 2007. Representative Schakowsky voted for this bill. The final Senate rendering of the bill, which passed with a vote of 86-8, still included language raising CAFE standards to 35 mpg by 2020. The final version of the bill passed in the House with a vote of 314-100 and was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007. - In August 2007, Representative Schakowsky voted for the final passage of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 3221). The legislation would provide tax incentives to promote the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency, including guaranteeing up to $1 billion in loans for the development of biorefineries and biofuel production facilities. The measure also would repeal tax deductions to income attributed to the domestic production of oil and natural gas. It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 241-172 and was sent to the Senate.
A controversial amendment to the bill was H. Amdt. 748 sponsored by Representative Udall. This amendment would require retail electric suppliers to provide 15% of their electricity through a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) by 2020. Representative Schakowsky voted for the amendment, which was adopted with a vote of 220 to 190.
- In January of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). This legislation is intended to address a royalties oversight that occurred when the Department of the Interior issued leases for off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from 1998 to 1999. The bill would also deny income tax deductions for oil and gas companies. Revenues generated from these provisions would be used for the development of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. Opponents of the bill claimed that the legislation would raise costs for the domestic production of oil and could increase foreign oil imports. Representative Schakowsky voted for this legislation, which passed with a vote of 264-163.
Environment
- Nothing posted to date
Climate Change
- Nothing posted to date
Health
- Schakowsky urged the FDA to mandate that tv ads for prescription drugs inlcude an FDA hotline for reporting side effects. The FDA is responsible for tracking side effects from prescription and over-the-counter medication, and contact information is already required for print ads. [1]
- Healthcare
- In April of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 493) with a vote of 420-3. Representative Schakowsky voted for this bill. If enacted, GINA will prevent health insurance companies from adjusting premiums on the basis of genetic information and forbid requiring individuals to undergo genetic tests. The bill will also prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of genetic information. This legislation was passed by the Senate in a vote of 95-0. The House passed the Senate amended version of the bill on May 1, 2008, by a vote of 415-1. Rep Ron Paul was the only representative to vote against the bill. President Bush signed GINA into law on May 21, 2008.
- On July 15, 2008, both Houses of Congress voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331), a bill to put off an almost 11% cut of payments to doctors who care for Medicare patients. The legislation offset putting off the payment cuts for doctors by reducing reimbursements to insurance companies that include Medicare patients in their managed-care programs.[1] The House voted 383 to 41 in favor of a veto override. Representative Schakowsky voted for this legislation.
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- In April of 2007, Congress passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5), which would have overturned President Bush's ban on the use of federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001. Representative Schakowsky voted for the legislation. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 247-176 and the Senate with a vote of 63-34. President Bush vetoed both this legislation and an identical bill that was passed by Congress in 2006.
- Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- In December 2005, Congress passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (H.R. 2520), which President Bush signed on December 20, 2005. The law "creates a new Federal program to collect and store cord blood, and expands the current bone marrow registry program to also include cord blood." Representative Schakowsky voted for this bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 431-1 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
- On September 25, 2007, the House passed the final version of the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act” (H.R. 976) with a vote of 265-169. This bill would have increased funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $50 billion dollars over five years. Opponents saw the bill as too costly and were critical of the funding methods for the program, including a cigarette tax increase (read the floor debate). Representative Schakowsky voted for this legislation.
- On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed H.R. 976, citing that the bill moved too many children towards federally funded healthcare. The House attempted to override the President’s veto, but the measure failed to pass with a vote count of 273-156. Representative Schakowsky voted for the veto override. On December 29, 2007, President Bush signed the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (S. 2499) which extends funding for SCHIP through March of 2009, but does not significantly increase the program.
- On January 23, 2008, the House once again failed with a vote of 260-152 to pass H.R. 3963 to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP. Representative Schakowsky voted for this legislation.
Innovation
- On August 9, 2007, President Bush signed the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (H.R. 2272) into law. The law authorizes the doubling of funding for the National Science Foundation over the next seven years, increased funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology and competitive grants for teachers and schools with the goal of strengthening the quality of education in science, math, and critical foreign languages. The bill was passed with unanimous consent in the Senate and was agreed to by a vote of 367-57 by the House after being reconciled in a conference committee. Representative Schakowsky voted for this legislation. The America COMPETES Act was not fully funded in 2008.
Research and Research Management
- Funding
- In May of 2007, Representative Schakowsky voted for the final passage of the National Science Foundation Funding Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867), which authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The final vote count was 399 to 17.
During debate on this legislation, H. Amdt. 128 was offered by Rep. Honda that will allow the NSF to support the creation of K-12 curriculum focused on global warming, climate change, and actions people can take to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Rep. Sullivan of Oklahoma offered a secondary amendment, H. Amdt. 129, that would have required the education materials referenced in Rep. Honda’s amendment to "reflect the diversity of scientific opinion, including the diversity of opinion regarding the impact of human activities on climate change." Congressional Democrats criticized the Sullivan amendment as seeming "to suggest that there is an equal weight of evidence against that perspective [that humans are causing climate change] as there is in favor of it" (read the full debate). The Sullivan amendment failed by a vote of 166 to 250. The Honda Amendment passed by a vote of 252 to 165.
Representative Schakowsky voted against the Sullivan amendment and voted for the Honda Amendment.
- In May of 2007, Representative Schakowsky voted for the final passage of the National Science Foundation Funding Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867), which authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The final vote count was 399 to 17.
Technology
- In the summer of 2008, the House met to consider the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (H.R. 6304), which would give retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that wiretapped customers’ phones for the Bush administration shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The legislation also allows the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens for up to 7 days before obtaining court approval. The House passed the bill with a vote of 293 to 129, and the legislation was signed by President Bush on July 7, 2008. Representative Schakowsky voted against this legislation.
Endnotes
- ↑ Ben DuBose, TV Drug Ads Should List FDA Hotline, Lawmakers Say, Los Angeles Times, April 3, 2008.
