Congress will have a lot more scientists in its ranks when it reconvenes. Several candidates with science background won their races this past week. The exact number depends on just how you define a science background. But the real question is what impact these science-savvy representatives might have. In at least one case, it could be big – with a registered nurse taking over the helm of the House science committee from Lamar Smith.
Jeffrey Mervis covers U.S. science policy for the journal Science. He spoke to Heather about how these representatives might impact the country.