The GW College Democrats hosted Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J.) Tuesday night as their first guest speaker of 2014. Holt has represented New Jersey’s 12th District since 1999.
As one of only two physicists within Congress, Holt began the event by discussing how politics can and should be viewed from a scientific perspective. Holt told the audience that he believes there are currently too many debates and arguments run on the idea that the facts do not matter. Holt used the United States’ entry into Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction as an example of a decision made without actual evidence to justify the behavior. Holt stressed that logic and fact must be the primary explanations behind policy decisions and reminded the audience of the importance of science when making such decisions.
“Thinking like a scientist, which means taking time to look at the numbers and quantify your questions and look at evidence in a way that other people can understand your interpretation of the evidence and the answers you get, is a powerful tool for looking at the world and a way of posing questions, and a way of leading to where the evidence takes you,” said Holt.
The Congressman pointed out that our planet is currently facing the largest increase in carbon dioxide emissions in eons and the temperature has been warmer than the historic average every month since 1985. Holt argued that it is virtually impossible to deny climate change after looking at the evidence gathered from scientific data. The Congressman stated that the most effective way to ensure the passage of alternative energy legislation is to use unarguable scientific evidence that shows the existence of global warming. Holt’s environmental angle was well received by the packed room.
“I am a sustainability minor so I was very excited to hear Congressman Holt speak about global warming and the need for energy reform,” said freshman Anna Hedlund. “It was refreshing to hear a political perspective that uses a scientific lens where there is a single correct answer instead of multiple opinions.”
Again arguing that the use of numbers and fact are the best arguments for reform, Congressman Holt discussed health care in America. While the resulting care is on average worse, US health care costs are much more expensive than those in other countries. Holt reiterated that the proof is in the numbers, but in order to achieve health care reform legislators need to stop dismissing legislation solely based on the side of the isle it originates.
The event attracted dozens of students who actively participated in a question and answer segment where Congressmen Holt addressed a range of topics from weaknesses in the Democratic Party to the George Washington Bridge debacle.
Prior to his election to Congress, Holt held positions as a teacher, science fellow, and arms control expert at the US State Department. From 1989 to 1998 Holt was Assistant Director of the Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory, the largest research center for alternative energy in New Jersey. The Congressman is also a five-time Jeopardy winner and in 2011 defeated the IBM Watson computer in a simulated version of the game. Holt is up for re-election this year.