At a time when the discipline of science is being trashed by those who would rather ignore crises such as climate change and COVID-19, it’s nice to have an actual scientist — a nuclear physicist, no less — in Congress.
In January, Rep. Bill Foster rose to a particularly strategic position from which to serve the cause of scientific integrity, being named chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. The subcommittee is empowered to investigate and oversee all matters — such as environmental and energy issues — concerning non-defense federal research.
This comes at a time when the Trump administration has attempted to gut federal scientific research, most notably with respect to the environment and guns.
We endorse Foster, who has served in Congress since 2008. He is opposed by Republican Rick Laib, a sergeant with the Will County Sheriff’s Police and strong supporter of President Trump.
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