Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3293, the Scientific Research in the National Interest Act, is a bipartisan bill that ensures the grant process at the National Science Foundation is transparent and accountable to the American people. America's future economic growth and national security depend on innovation. Public and private investments in research and development fuel the economy, create jobs, and lead to new technologies that benefit Americans' daily lives. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Federal Government has awarded too many grants that few Americans would consider to be in the national interest. For example, the National Science Foundation awarded $700,000 of taxpayer money to support a climate change-themed musical that quickly closed and almost $1 million for a social media project that targeted Americans' online political speech. A few other examples of questionable grants include: $487,000 to study the Icelandic textile industry during the Viking era; $340,000 to study early human-set fires in New Zealand; $233,000 to study ancient Mayan architecture and their salt industry; and $220,000 to study animal photos in National Geographic magazine. When the NSF funds such projects as these, there is less money to support worthwhile scientific research that keeps our country on the forefront of innovation.…”