2008 Senate questionnaire by SEA & 18 science organizations

On June 18, 2008, SEA, along with seventeen other scientific organizations, came together to issue all the candidates for Congress seven questions on science, health, and technology issues. This is the first time that this consortium of science organizations, which includes the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Science, has come together as one voice to issue a candidate questionnaire. The question topics—climate change, health, water, energy, innovation, education, and research—address the important issues that affect Americans everyday.

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Chris Rothfuss: Advance stem-cell research & nanotechnology.     Mark Udall: Expand stem cell research; promise for treating disease.     Nick Carter: Demand end to stem cell research as political football.

Education     Allen Buckley: The more locally K-12 education is handled, the better.     Mark Udall: Invest in science & technology education.     Nick Carter: Federal government must have role in education.     Rebekah Kennedy: Federal government should supplement teacher compensation.     Scott Kleeb: Deeply committed to science & technology education.

Energy & Oil     Allen Buckley: Not certain that global warming is manmade.     Chris Rothfuss: Cap-and-trade strategy is superior to a carbon tax.     Jim Risch: 25x25 policy: reduce fossil fuel use 25% over 25 years.     Jim Risch: Increase supply for short-term; alternatives for long-term.     Jim Risch: Tap domestic potential in ANWR and continental shelf.     Larry LaRocco: Develop alternatives: ethanol; nuclear; solar; geothermal.     Mark Udall: We must pass legislation to limit carbon emissions.     Nick Carter: Support cap-and-trade but not a long-term solution.     Nick Carter: Quagmire in Mideast is result of dependence on oil.     Rebekah Kennedy: Support carbon taxes on industry.     Scott Kleeb: Time to stop questioning sound science on climate change.

Environment     Jim Risch: Supports first-in-time first-in-right water usage.     Mark Udall: Helped create National Integrated Drought Information System.

Health Care     Jim Risch: Innovation and technology make health care high quality.     Rebekah Kennedy: Health crisis caused by industry’s waste and profiteering.

Technology     Chris Rothfuss: Increase funding for Federal R&D programs.     Larry LaRocco: Reform patent system to recoup reasonable financial benefits.     Mark Udall: Strong investment in S.T.E.M. research & education.     Mark Udall: Basic research plays critical role in future competitiveness.     Nick Carter: I will invest in our future, via education.     Nick Carter: Listen to scientists about science instead of ideologues.     Rebekah Kennedy: We must remain world leader in funding cutting-edge research.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Allen Buckley Chris Rothfuss Jim Risch Larry LaRocco Mark Udall Nick Carter Rebekah Kennedy Scott Kleeb