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Committee Changes

Nov 08, 2012

Following the elections in the US, ScienceInsider notes that about a quarter of the House of Representatives' Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will change due to defeats at the polls or retirements. Currently, the committee is made up of 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats, though four (one Republican and three Democratic) spots are not filled. Six Republicans — all due to defeats — and four Democrats — one defeat and three retirements — will be leaving the committee, according to ScienceInsider's analysis.

While the committee is "considered a second-tier assignment because it has relatively little power" over scientific agencies like the National Institutes of Health, it does "play a significant role in shaping broad policy and conducting oversight investigations into agency activities," ScienceInsider says.

The committee will also have a new chair.

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