Ranking Member Johnson Responds to the President's State of the Union Address

(Washington, DC) - In response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) issued the following statement:

 

"As Ranking Member on the Committee with jurisdiction over almost all non-defense federal scientific research and development, I could not agree more with the President ‘that the nation that goes all-in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow. This is an edge America cannot surrender. Federally-funded research helped lead to the ideas and inventions behind Google and smartphones.  That’s why Congress should undo the damage done by last year’s cuts to basic research so we can unleash the next great American discovery.'

 

"I also agree that we need to be investing in climate change research and efforts to curb carbon pollution through energy efficiency and alternative fuels. Climate change is real and we must act before it's too late. We need to invest in advanced manufacturing to help ensure our manufacturing sector is the most sophisticated and innovative in the world. And, we absolutely must invest in education, particularly STEM education. Report after report has found that the STEM disciplines are critical to our economic leadership and global competitiveness. We have to make sure that everyone regardless of their race or sex, has educational opportunities. This is the only way to ensure that we have a well-prepared workforce for the jobs today and the jobs of the future.

 

"Our long-term economic prosperity depends on our willingness to make the needed investments today. There is much work that lies ahead on these issues that fall under this Committee's jurisdiction. I look forward to working with the Administration and I sincerely hope that I can work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. This is far too important to let political posturing get in the way of progress."