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Press Releases

March 15, 2024

Ranking Member Sorensen Introduces Bill to Foster Interagency Collaboration at NASA

 (WASHINGTON, DC)— Today, Ranking Member Eric Sorensen (D-IL) of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics introduced a bill titled, “NASA Streamlining Partnerships for Research and Education for Engineering and Science Act.” Mr. Sorensen’s bill aims to foster interagency collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other federal agencies. The bill will allow NASA to receive and merge funds for the awarding of grants or cooperative agreements through …  Continue Reading 

March 07, 2024

Ranking Member Lofgren Reacts to SOTU, Echoes Biden on Importance of Clean Energy Future

(WASHINGTON, DC) — This evening, President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.  “This evening, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to keep America moving forward in our greatest endeavors,” said Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA). “As Extreme MAGA Republicans continue to try and pull us backwards, President Biden and House Democrats are working to build a brighter future for all Americans. That bright future includes working to strengthen our …  Continue Reading 

February 20, 2024

Three Democratic Science Committee Members Tapped for Bipartisan AI Taskforce

(WASHINGTON, DC) — Today, Democratic and Republican Leadership of the House of Representatives announced a bipartisan artificial intelligence taskforce. The bipartisan taskforce will work to address the legitimate risks of AI while fostering innovation and ensuring the U.S. can remain a leader in this technology. The Science Committee is consistently at the forefront of the technologies of the future. Of the twelve Democratic Members of the House named to the taskforce, three are Democratic …  Continue Reading 

February 07, 2024

Ranking Members Lofgren, Foushee, and Stevens React to Republican Judiciary Committee Targeting and Intimidating Federal Scientists

(WASHINGTON, DC) - On February 6, 2024, the Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government issued an interim staff report accusing the National Science Foundation (NSF) of supporting online censorship. The report targets researchers funded by NSF and advances Chairman Jordan’s year-long intimidation of scientists shedding light on media literacy in our increasingly online society. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has …  Continue Reading 

February 02, 2024

Ranking Member Lofgren Reflects on Visit to Two Fusion Companies in Everett, Washington

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Last week, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) visited Zap and Helion in Everett, Washington. Zap is one of the initial awardees of the Department of Energy’s new milestone-based public-private partnership program, which was advanced and authorized by the Committee as part of the Energy Act of 2020. Helion is one of the largest private fusion companies in the world.  “Fusion energy holds great promise in addressing the climate crisis and decarbonizing the planet to sustain …  Continue Reading 

January 30, 2024

Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds NSF Announcement of Ten Regional Innovation Engines

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the National Science Foundation announced the establishment of ten NSF Regional Innovation Engines across 18 states. These NSF Engines were selected for awards after a rigorous grant application and selection process. The NSF Regional Engines Program was authorized as a part of the landmark CHIPS and Science Act, which was led by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. “The NSF Regional Engines will expand and advance our R&D capabilities across the …  Continue Reading 

January 29, 2024

Lofgren and Lucas Question Lack of Action by White House OSTP on Sexual Harassment Policies and Guidance

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, House Science Space and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) sharing concerns that the office is not meeting critical deadlines to reduce sexual harassment in the federally funded scientific enterprise. Over the past several years, the Science Committee has worked in a bipartisan manner to examine and …  Continue Reading 

January 25, 2024

Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen’s Statement on NASA’s Day of Remembrance

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today is NASA’s Day of Remembrance. Each January, NASA honors the NASA astronauts and employees who have tragically lost their lives while advancing the cause of exploration and discovery. “Today we pause to remember the brave crew members of Apollo 1, space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, and all NASA employees who have tragically made the ultimate sacrifice while working to advance our nation’s space program,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “We are forever …  Continue Reading 

January 24, 2024

Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds New NSF NAIRR Program

(WASHINGTON, DC)—Today, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a pilot program for the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR). The program will support AI research and education by providing expanded access to computational resources, high-quality data, educational tools, and user support.  “One of the major barriers to developing an AI-capable workforce and ensuring U.S. leadership in AI research is a lack of access to computing and training data for all but large companies and the …  Continue Reading 

January 17, 2024

Committee Leaders React to NASA & NOAA Annual Climate Report, Call for Advanced Support for Climate Solutions

(WASHINGTON, DC)— Last week, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their annual assessments of global temperatures and climate trends for 2023. The reports confirm that 2023 was the warmest year on record. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Subcommittee on Space & Aeronautics Ranking Member Eric Sorensen (D-IL) made the following …  Continue Reading 

January 11, 2024

Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds NOAA $34M Investment in Wildfire Research & Preparedness

(WASHINGTON, DC)—Yesterday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a significant investment in wildfire research, with over $34 million in funding allocated to 17 research awards across various academic institutions. This funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will advance the United States’ capabilities in predicting, detecting, and responding to wildfires. “Each year, climate change fuels an increasing number of severe wildfires and …  Continue Reading 

January 09, 2024

Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen Statement on Artemis Mission Delay

(WASHINGTON, DC)— Today, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the delay of the Artemis II and III missions. NASA cited safety as the main reason for the delay. NASA now plans to launch Artemis II in September 2025 and Artemis III in September 2026.  "While we are disappointed to learn of an Artemis delay today, we stand by NASA in their commitment to safety," said Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen. "We support Artemis and its goal to return astronauts to the …  Continue Reading 

December 31, 2023

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren Statement on Passing of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

  (San Jose, CA) - On December 31, 2023, former Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson passed away. She was 88 years old. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) made the following statement: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing today of former Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Eddie, or “EBJ” as she was widely known, led the Science Committee through some of the most productive years of its existence, including passage of the massive CHIPS and Science …  Continue Reading 

December 20, 2023

President Biden Signs Rep. Caraveo's Bipartisan TRANQ Research Act into Law

(WASHINGTON, D.C) - Yesterday evening, President Biden signed into law H.R. 1734, the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act, a bipartisan initiative led by Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) and Research & Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA). This legislation, co-sponsored by Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), addresses the urgent need to combat the spread of novel synthetic opioids, including the dangerous drug xylazine. The TRANQ Research Act …  Continue Reading 

December 18, 2023

Ranking Members Lofgren and Ross Statement on NOAA 2023 Arctic Report Card

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2023 Arctic Report Card. Since 2006, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published its annual Arctic Report Card, which tracks environmental changes over time for the region. The 2023 Arctic Report Card details that over the past year, Arctic temperatures exhibited an alarming progression of warming. Surface air temperatures were the sixth warmest since 1900 with summer …  Continue Reading 

December 15, 2023

Science Committee Leaders Stress Importance of Diligence in NIST AI Safety Research Funding

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie Locascio regarding the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) at NIST. Subcommittee on Research and Technology Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) along with Subcommittee on Investigations and …  Continue Reading 

December 12, 2023

ICYMI: Ranking Member Lofgren Joins CAPAC Chair and Oversight Committee Ranking Member to Request GAO Review of Federal Investigations into Foreign Influence on Research

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, leading Members of Congress requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a formal review of ongoing federal efforts to investigate allegations of foreign influence in federally funded research. The Members seek to ensure that researchers are not facing discriminatory treatment while federal agencies implement policies to protect U.S. research security. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) joined Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) …  Continue Reading 

December 11, 2023

Ranking Member Lofgren Statement on Announcement of Preliminary Terms of CHIPS and Science Act Support for U.S. National Security Project with BAE Systems

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the first preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with BAE Systems Electronic Systems. Once finalized, through funding authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, BAE Systems will receive $35 Million in federal incentives to make necessary improvements to their Microelectronics Center in Nashua, New Hampshire. The project will replace aging tools and quadruple the production of chips necessary for critical defense programs …  Continue Reading 

December 08, 2023

Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds DOE Establishment of Inertial Fusion R&D Hubs

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the Department of Energy announced the establishment of three multi-institutional hubs to support research and development in inertial fusion energy technologies under a new program called Inertial Fusion Energy Science and Technology Accelerated Research (IFE-STAR). These hubs will build on the groundbreaking achievement of ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility last year, as well as other important advances in fusion …  Continue Reading 

December 05, 2023

House Advances Science Committee Research Partnership Bills

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three bipartisan Science Committee bills which leverage the unparalleled expertise, resources, and research of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  H.R. 1713, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act, led by Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Lucas (R-OK), authorizes cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities between DOE and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  “Our …  Continue Reading 

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