Senior Democratic Appropriator Meets with National Science Foundation Officials to Discuss Science Priorities

During an NSF site visit, Congressman Chaka Fattah met with NSF Director, France Córdova and other senior officials on STEM Education and the BRAIN Initiative

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Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Jun 10, 2014, 01:51 ET

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) met with leaders at the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Virginia headquarters on Monday. During the site visit, Fattah was briefed by recently confirmed Director France Córdova and Deputy Director Cora Marrett. The visit also entailed separate discussions on three of Congressman Fattah's science priorities: STEM education, advanced manufacturing, and neuroscience, including the BRAIN Initiative.

Fattah's subcommittee is responsible for the nation's science funding, which includes NSF, NASA, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP); he says it is critically important to meet with staff and see NSF's current work firsthand.

"It was a constructive and rewarding visit that allowed me to gain an up-close, in-depth view of the ongoing and developing projects and collaborations at NSF," Congressman Fattah said. "As the field of science evolves, NSF is constantly at the forefront of discovery and innovation, and it is a tremendous opportunity to have an open dialogue with program directors and fully understand the agency's current priorities. I look forward to our ongoing work together—especially ensuring NSF is funded at the levels necessary for the United States to maintain its competitive edge in science, engineering, and technology."

The site visit followed recent remarks by Congressman Fattah to one of several NSF-hosted workshops on brain-related topics late last month. Fattah was the opening speaker at a discussion with practicing experts on "Physical, Engineering and Biological Limits to Brain Measurement."

Congressman Fattah has been one of Capitol Hill's strongest supporters of the sciences and has persistently pushed for increased funding for science and medical research. Last month, Fattah helped spearhead the bipartisan House passage of the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act, which included $7.394 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation, a $222 million increase over FY 2014 levels.

www.fattah.house.gov

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah