ScienceDebate.org: on Technology
Jim McGovern:
Government should not use facial recognition technology
Technology such as facial recognition should not be used in governance. AI has been shown to show algorithmic bias, especially in the cases of racial and ethnic minorities. There needs to be a greater amount of research done on this technology before we
allow it into our daily lives. Without clear parameters and proper data handling and security, there are serious and potentially dangerous implications for Americans' privacy.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-2 House race
Nov 3, 2020
John Hickenlooper:
Provide ample funding for scientific research
Hickenlooper supports ample funding for scientific research to help create evidence-based policy to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, including addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, gun violence, inequity, and more.
Hickenlooper believes strongly in protecting the integrity of scientific research, including the accuracy and transparency in its communication; and as a former geologist in the U.S. Senate, he will be a strong and knowledgeable voice in support.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
John Hickenlooper:
NASA's Earth Science program may help on climate crisis
Q: Over the years, NASA has assigned changing priorities to different aspects of its mission (Earth observation, robotic exploration, and crewed spaceflight). What missions would you have NASA prioritize and why?
A: Hickenlooper is interested in learning more about all of the priorities outlined in NASA's 2020- 2024 plan and has a particular interest in NASA's Earth Science program, with potential to inform solutions to climate crisis.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
John Yarmuth:
Fund NSF and NIH to fuel economic growth
Federal research and development investments have long helped our nation solve problems at home and abroad, and have fueled our economic growth for generations. I support the highest funding levels possible for federal programs like those administered
by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health that increase regional economic opportunities, creating jobs in the short- and long term, and attract additional private investments to spur innovation.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 KY-2 House race
Nov 3, 2020
Richard Durbin:
Fund science to protect food supply, cure disease, and more
Increasing federal research funding at our government agencies is a top priority for me.
The American Cures and Innovation Acts and the America Grows Act would allow
America's smartest scientists and researchers to spend less time figuring out how to cut their budgets and more time finding new ways to protect our food supply,
find cures for deadly diseases, and tackle the challenges of the future. Continuing to support scientific research is the smartest investment we can make for our health, our future, and our economy.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Jason Crow:
Government must fund science to be ready for the future
I helped secure increased funding for medical research at the NIH, gun violence research at the NIH and CDC, and renewable energy research at the Department of Energy.
I have continually advocated for robust levels of federal funding for scientific research. I will continue to defend these programs and ensure that other federally funded scientific research is provided with adequate resources.
The funding stream for the federal government's science mission must be drastically increased if we are to effectively lay the groundwork for the economy of the future.
Science is at the core of nearly all the major challenges we will face in the coming decades.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 CO-6 House race
Nov 1, 2020
Anna Eshoo:
Promotes research & bills to better youth & maternal health
Q: Is there a previous or current effort of yours to close the gap between the efficacy of the public vs. private health sectors? A: Congress provided over $5.5 billion to medical research to fight COVID-19, including $3.5 billion to the Biomedical
Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a priority of mine since I wrote the original legislation to create BARDA and its private-public partnerships that enable research to go beyond the lab bench into the lives of patients.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional CA-18 election
Oct 9, 2020
Bill Keating:
Facial technology oversight to help combat racial biases
I am troubled to learn that current versions of most facial recognition technology has a fundamentally biased error rate against people of color. As we adopt new technology we must take the time to ensure that they are being used in a
manner consistent with the protections provided to all U.S. citizens through our constitution and it is Congress's job to ensure that the large corporations creating this technology use it in a responsible manner.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-9 House race
Oct 9, 2020
Carolyn Maloney:
Science should be considered when making policies
Scientists and other non-political experts should be an integral part of government policy-making, and their findings should not be interfered with or manipulated to suit political aims.
As a member of Congress, I've submitted and passed countless pieces of legislation to ensure scientific studies take place so they can underpin later legislation.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-12 election
Oct 9, 2020
Jim McGovern:
Social media is a wonderful tool, but can also cause harm
Social media is a wonderful tool, but it can be used to spread dangerous information--by accident and by deliberate disinformation--that could threaten the lives of many Americans. It is important for the government to help direct the public to reliable
and authoritative information sites, and to use our own social media to provide accurate and responsible information so the public is informed on how best to respond to the spread of COVID-19.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-2 House race
Oct 9, 2020
Madison Cawthorn:
Improving roads to connect rural residents a top priority
Q: What are your transportation spending priorities, and how will you allocate funding across different transportation modes in North Carolina?A: Improving the quality of our roads is a high priority, mountain roads
represent lifelines to the communities they connect and their maintenance must come first. We also must work with state and local governments to increase access to affordable transportation, especially in our inner cities.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 NC-11 House race
Oct 9, 2020
Mike Quigley:
Federal government must ensure funding for labs and research
Q: What, if any, new action should the federal government take to stimulate innovation and job creation in science, technology, and engineering in Illinois and beyond?
A: The federal government has the ability to be a massive driving force for scientific research and innovation. I've worked through my position on the
House Appropriations Committee to ensure substantial and necessary funding levels for our national labs, like Argonne National Lab in
Illinois, and basic science and research programs at the Department of Energy, EPA, NASA, NOAA, and other federal agencies that have a role in research and development.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 IL-5 House race
Oct 9, 2020
Paul Tonko:
Federal research ensures U.S. R&D leadership
Taxpayer funded research is a vital tool to ensure that we can once again be the frontrunner in the global race on innovation, boost our economy and overall quality of life for our citizens.
Any research funded by taxpayer dollars must be conducted with the highest oversight possible to ensure every penny spent is done in good faith.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-20 election
Oct 9, 2020
Steve Lynch:
Conduct robust oversight over social media platforms
We can promote advancements in artificial intelligence, biometric technology, financial technology, and other areas while ensuring that these advancements do not undermine our individual privacy and civil liberties. I have conducted several hearings
to examine the privacy implications of developing technologies--including the misuse of artificial intelligence to create manipulative and deceptive videos and the failure of emerging financial applications to protect personal financial information.
The federal government must serve an essential role in working with private sector social media platforms and federal law enforcement entities to prevent the dissemination of misinformation on social media that threatens the health and safety of the
American public. I believe that Congress must continue to conduct robust oversight in this area and will continue to urge social media company officials to ramp up their efforts to combat misinformation on their platforms.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-8 House race
Oct 9, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2020