Honda Delivers Significant Provisions For Silicon Valley In Critical Funding

Press Release

Yesterday, Congressman Mike Honda (D-Silicon Valley) used his position on the powerful Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies to advance two important initiatives for Silicon Valley in a key funding bill.

He succeeded in preventing a premature termination of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), and ensured that a federal Marine Debris program will focus on plastics littering our nation's waterways and oceans.

"It is imperative to me that the priorities of Silicon Valley are represented in Congress," said Congressman Honda. "That is why I continue to fight and bring the unique voice of our region to Washington, and today I was very proud to take the lead on initiatives that would address issues important to the people I represent."

As the largest airborne observatory in the world, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a unique instrument capable of making observations that are impossible from ground-based telescopes. Today, Congressman Honda successfully included language to prevent the politically motivated termination evaluation of SOFIA, preserving a groundbreaking technology and supporting researchers at NASA Ames.

"Investing in science research and development is a critical component in our mission to keep the U.S. at the forefront of scientific discovery around the world," said Honda.

Honda also continued his fight to keep our waterways and oceans clean, protecting precious resources and our environment -- essential components of keeping California healthy and thriving. He secured provisions in the bill ensuring that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program's work will focus its efforts on plastic marine debris, which has been identified as one of the main types of marine debris and will cause harm to fish and other wildlife.

Honda has been a leader in the quest to protect our waterways and oceans, introducing a bill to establish national goals for the reduction and recycling of municipal solid waste, to address the growing problem of marine debris, and to require the Environmental Protection Agency to promote regulations to attain these goals.

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