Influx of scientists  -  A Win for s.t.e.m !

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" The thinking goes that someone with a scientific background will promote the reliance on facts and data over opinions, especially when it comes to science-related issues such as public health, the environment, agriculture, technology, cyber security and space exploration. "

What is the House Science Committee? 
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has legal oversight over federal, non-military science research and development in areas like energy, outer space, the environment, and ocean science. That includes partial or total legal jurisdiction over federal science agencies like the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the National Weather Service. 

Why is it good?: In the last five years, The current committee has gained a reputation for undermining the peer review process at NSF (National Science Foundation), denying climate science, and using subpoena power to attack individual scientists.

1. Lauren Underwood unseated incumbent Randy Hultgren in the race for Illinois’ 14th congressional district. She holds Master’s degrees in nursing and public health, and was appointed by Barack Obama as a senior advisor to the Department of Health and Human Services. She ran on a platform of investing in small business and the gig economy, improving infrastructure, decreasing gun violence, improving the Affordable Care Act, increasing access to public education, as well as other issues.

 2. Joe Cunningham beat  Kate Arrington in an upset that flipped South Carolina’s 1st congressional district blue. Cunningham has a background as an ocean engineer and attorney, and ran on a platform to end offshore drilling in the state’s water, fight corruption, support veterans, decrease the cost of healthcare, and conserve the environment, as well as other issues.

 3. Elaine Luria flipped Virginia’s 2nd congressional district. She has a background as a nuclear engineer and operated nuclear reactors, and served in the Navy, winning a district containing Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest Navy base.

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4. Chrissy Houlahan flipped Pennsylvania’s 6th congressional district, beating  Greg McCauley after sitting  representative Ryan Costello retired. She holds an engineering degree from Stanford as well as a Masters in technology and policy from MIT. Prior to running, she served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, worked as a chemistry teacher, and was COO of footwear company AND1. She ran on a platform to expand access to healthcare, support public schools, “improve economic security for Pennsylvania families,” reform campaign financing, protect the environment, and support veterans.
 
5. Jacky Rosen unseated the incumbent Nevada senator,  Dean Heller. Rosen holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an associates degree in computing and IT, and worked as a computer programmer prior to running for office in 2017, when she was elected and represented Nevada’s 3rd congressional district. She ran on a platform of promoting renewable energy to protect Nevada’s public lands, fixing campaign financing, defending the coverage of preexisting conditions, and immigration reform, as well as other issues.

 6. Sean Casten unseated the incumbent  Peter Roskam in the race for the state’s 6th congressional district. Casten holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and biochemistry and master’s degrees in engineering management and biochemical engineering. He worked as a clean energy consultant before founding a company that recycled wasted energy. He ran on a fact-focused platform that included decreasing human impact on the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change, as well as supporting veterans, reforming student loans, and other issues.

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