Illinois Congressman Sorensen Secures Top Leadership Post on Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced that he has been named to serve as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics within the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. He was also named to serve on the Subcommittee on Energy.
“I look forward to using my leadership position on the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee to support our aerospace industry in Rockford and the surrounding communities while helping us better understand the world that we live in,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Through my seat on the Energy Subcommittee, I will be able to support our energy sector that powers Illinois communities and supports thousands of jobs across our district.”
The Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee has jurisdiction over all matters relating to astronautical research and development, as well as national space policy. The subcommittee also oversees the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its contractor and government-operated labs, as well as space exploration.
The Subcommittee on Energy is concerned with policy related to energy sources, research, and development.
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee oversees agency budgets totaling over $42 billion and its jurisdiction covers most non-defense and non-human-health Federal research and development.
Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
