Require that elected officials given oversight of science committees and panels have a basic understanding of science.

It is critical that Senators and Representatives given oversight of Congressional science committees and panels have a basic minimum understanding of science. Without that basic understanding, they misdirect taxpayer dollars to fit their own, misguided agendas; impede scientific progress through lack of funding; and make us look like idiots if front of the rest of the world. As an example, Senator Cruz, the chair of the science and space panel within the Senate commerce committee has asserted that the earth sciences are not “hard science," and Representative Culberson has said repeatedly that the earth sciences don’t meet his definition of “the pure sciences.” They clearly don't understand science, and should not be in charge of funding decisions for scientific research.