October 7, 2005

Sizing Up a Skeptic of Science

By JEFFREY BRAINARD

A key member of Congress prompts anger and questions with his assertive oversight

Some university officials' hair stood on end last year when U.S. Rep. Joe Barton vowed to follow the lead of his colleague, John D. Dingell, in monitoring the National Institutes of Health.

Mr. Barton is chairman of the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee, regarded as one of the most powerful in Congress. It has oversight powers that cover biomedical research and myriad

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