Nethercutt Gets Seat On Expanded Science Panel Democrats Say Position Is Just Politics; Lawmaker Says He’ll Promote Education

Wed., March 12, 1997

Bill Bell Jr. Staff Writer

Rep. George Nethercutt says his new post on the House Science Committee will allow him to promote science education.

But Democrats say he got the job as the indirect result of a deal they cut with House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Nethercutt, R-Spokane, admits the appointment, announced Tuesday, is unusual. He also is a member of the powerful and busy House Appropriations Committee, whose members typically don’t serve on other panels.

Democratic staff members on the committee said Gingrich offered Democrats more seats on Science and Transportation committees if they would ease up on the ethics probe.

When more Democrats than expected signed up, Gingrich needed to recruit four more Republicans for the Science Committee to keep a proper voting ratio. Nethercutt got the call last week.

Nethercutt brushed off the Democrats’ suggestion of politics at play.

“I don’t know what the politics of it are,” Nethercutt said. “The speaker’s office thought it would be a good match for us.”

The Science Committee will deal with the Hanford Nuclear Reservation as well as air- and water-quality issues - key concerns for Spokane residents, he said.

It also will cover research, such as the computer-simulated nuclear explosions scientists perform at Washington State University.

Nethercutt said he will use his new assignment to promote education. He is particularly interested in WSU’s Eisenhower Program, which encourages students to become math and science teachers.

Nethercutt rejected the idea that his new assignment will allow him to send pork back home.

“I’m simply seeking science development that will help the nation,” he said. “There is no direct pork relationship.”

, DataTimes

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