This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/10/congress-gains-scientists-lawmakers-midterm-elections

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Congress gains an influx of scientists as GOP science committee head leaves Congress gains an influx of scientists as GOP science committee head leaves
(2 days later)
Seven scientists are entering the US congress next year, from engineers and health professionals to an energy businessman and a computer programmer. Five of them are women, including a new senator for Nevada. All are Democrats. Seven scientists are entering the US Congress next year, from engineers and health professionals to an energy businessman and a computer programmer. Five of them are women, including a new senator for Nevada. All are Democrats.
Dr Rush Holt, a physicist who represented New Jersey in congress and is now CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said the newcomers will likely never use their specific expertise but will contribute a much-needed way of thinking. Dr Rush Holt, a physicist who represented New Jersey in Congress and is now CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said the newcomers will likely never use their specific expertise but will contribute a much-needed way of thinking.
“What is missing in Congress, and what they are better able to provide, is the science perspective. There are so many issues that have the science embedded in them,” Holt said.“What is missing in Congress, and what they are better able to provide, is the science perspective. There are so many issues that have the science embedded in them,” Holt said.
Illinois Democrat representative Bill Foster, one the few current lawmakers who studied and practiced science, said there is an urgent need for lawmakers with a science background.Illinois Democrat representative Bill Foster, one the few current lawmakers who studied and practiced science, said there is an urgent need for lawmakers with a science background.
“There’s hardly any issue that we touch that doesn’t have a technological edge to it, whether you’re talking about the feasibility of an electronic border wall or almost anything to do with military these days … or really the impact on the future of work that you’ll see from the increase in the capability of software,” said Foster, a particle physicist before he was elected to Congress in 2008.“There’s hardly any issue that we touch that doesn’t have a technological edge to it, whether you’re talking about the feasibility of an electronic border wall or almost anything to do with military these days … or really the impact on the future of work that you’ll see from the increase in the capability of software,” said Foster, a particle physicist before he was elected to Congress in 2008.
Foster is a member of the House science committee, which will now be controlled by Democrats in the majority. Lamar Smith, the Texas Republican who has chaired the committee and vehemently denies man-made climate change, is retiring.Foster is a member of the House science committee, which will now be controlled by Democrats in the majority. Lamar Smith, the Texas Republican who has chaired the committee and vehemently denies man-made climate change, is retiring.
Caroline Weinberg, a co-chair of the March for Science rallies in 2017, said “the same way that we saw more women and more people of color and more LGBTQ people running for office because they felt unrepresented in the federal government, scientists ran for the same reason”.Caroline Weinberg, a co-chair of the March for Science rallies in 2017, said “the same way that we saw more women and more people of color and more LGBTQ people running for office because they felt unrepresented in the federal government, scientists ran for the same reason”.
Another 12 people with science credentials ran for office but were defeated. Here are the candidates who won:Another 12 people with science credentials ran for office but were defeated. Here are the candidates who won:
A biochemistA biochemist
Sean Casten, Illinois’ sixth districtSean Casten, Illinois’ sixth district
Casten co-founded a company that captures waste energy to reduce pollution and is president of another corporation that manufactures combined heat and power plants.Casten co-founded a company that captures waste energy to reduce pollution and is president of another corporation that manufactures combined heat and power plants.
He has degrees in molecular biology and biochemistry and engineering management. Casten frequently criticized Donald Trump.He has degrees in molecular biology and biochemistry and engineering management. Casten frequently criticized Donald Trump.
Three engineersThree engineers
Elaine Luria, Virginia’s second districtElaine Luria, Virginia’s second district
Luria was a nuclear engineer and US Navy commander who spent two decades operating reactors and overseeing weapons systems. As a surface warfare office, she launched jets off the deck of an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean to take down terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the group 314 Action, which supports scientists running for office.Luria was a nuclear engineer and US Navy commander who spent two decades operating reactors and overseeing weapons systems. As a surface warfare office, she launched jets off the deck of an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean to take down terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the group 314 Action, which supports scientists running for office.
Chrissy Houlahan, Pennsylvania’s sixth districtChrissy Houlahan, Pennsylvania’s sixth district
Houlahan was also in the military, in the US Air Force. She has an engineering degree from Stanford and a masters degree in technology and policy from MIT. Houlahan was a science teacher in North Philadelphia. Houlahan was also in the military, in the US air force. She has an engineering degree from Stanford and a masters degree in technology and policy from MIT. Houlahan was a science teacher in north Philadelphia.
Joe Cunningham, South Carolina’s first districtJoe Cunningham, South Carolina’s first district
Cunningham is an ocean engineer who has worked in designing, permitting and overseeing construction of marina and coastline development. He also has a law degree. Cunningham believes climate change is the “single greatest non-military threat to our nation”, according to environmental group 314 Action. Cunningham flipped a historically Republican seat after incumbent representative Mark Sanford lost to a challenger in the primary.Cunningham is an ocean engineer who has worked in designing, permitting and overseeing construction of marina and coastline development. He also has a law degree. Cunningham believes climate change is the “single greatest non-military threat to our nation”, according to environmental group 314 Action. Cunningham flipped a historically Republican seat after incumbent representative Mark Sanford lost to a challenger in the primary.
Cunningham told CNN opposing offshore drilling was his winning issue.Cunningham told CNN opposing offshore drilling was his winning issue.
Two healthcare professionalsTwo healthcare professionals
Lauren Underwood, Illinois’ 14th districtLauren Underwood, Illinois’ 14th district
Underwood is a 32-year-old registered nurse who was appointed by President Barack Obama as senior advisor to the department of health and human services, where she helped implement his signature health care law. She has said her experience with her own heart condition, discovered as a child, inspired her career. She is an African-American woman who won a district that is 86% white, the Chicago Tribune noted. Underwood is a 32-year-old registered nurse who was appointed by former president Barack Obama as senior adviser to the department of health and human services, where she helped implement his signature health care law. She has said her experience with her own heart condition, discovered as a child, inspired her career. She is an African American woman who won a district that is 86% white, the Chicago Tribune noted.
Kim Schrier, Washington’s eighth districtKim Schrier, Washington’s eighth district
Schrier is a pediatrician who campaigned on affordable healthcare. She, too, was diagnosed with a health condition in her youth, Type 1 diabetes.Schrier is a pediatrician who campaigned on affordable healthcare. She, too, was diagnosed with a health condition in her youth, Type 1 diabetes.
A computer engineerA computer engineer
Jacky Rosen, NevadaJacky Rosen, Nevada
Representative Jacky Rosen, a computer programmer and software engineer, unseated Republican Senator Dean Heller. She campaigned on health care and immigration. Representative Jacky Rosen, a computer programmer and software engineer, unseated Republican senator Dean Heller. She campaigned on healthcare and immigration.
US CongressUS Congress
US politicsUS politics
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content