I am proud to have championed the fight on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to help fix the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with big drug companies so that seniors can better afford their necessary medications.

I am proud to have fought to pass bipartisan legislation that will increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 over two years. This is the first raise in the federal minimum wage in over 9 years and it shows that we are committed to helping the hard working American families better provide for their children.

I worked hard to pass legislation that will cut the interest rate on subsidized college loans for undergraduates in half over the next five years. Nothing pays dividends like a quality education and a solid educational system that is affordable for all our students and will drive our nation’s prosperity and pave the way to a brighter future for our country.

Finally, during these first 100 legislative hours, I helped pass legislation to provide relief to the American consumers, farmers, and small businesses that are suffering as a result our country’s addiction to foreign oil. I strongly believe that this legislation makes significant progress towards investing in alternative and renewable energy sources, promoting energy efficient technologies, and improving energy conservation in America.

I have begun the 110^th Congress working hard for the American people and I pledge to continue my work to make sure the voices of Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District are heard in our nation’s Capitol. I believe that there is much more to do so that, together, we can put our nation on a new direction that moves us forward.

“Scientific and technological advancements are the keys to U.S. competitiveness in a global marketplace in the 21^st Century,” Ross said. “Membership on this committee will allow me to promote Arkansas’s leadership in this area and encourage the youth of today to pursue studies and careers in the science and technology fields.  I look forward to serving on this committee to lead our nation’s charge in sciences and cutting edge technology.”

The Committee on Science and Technology works to increase awareness of the importance of a sustained commitment to research and development as well as responsible federal budgeting. New technology, the tools which help our businesses and manufacturers compete, drives our country’s productivity which spurs economic growth and job growth.

The Science and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense federal scientific research and development (R&D) at a number of federal agencies, including (either completely or in part): National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Fire Administration, and U.S. Geological Survey.  The Committee is also responsible for overseeing research and development programs at all of these federal agencies.

This committee is in addition to the seat Ross holds on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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