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 premiere science agencies are a large part of what enables the United States to lead the world in science and innovation,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “I’m glad to see three bills from the Science, Space, and Technology Committee pass the House this week that foster collaboration among DOE, USDA, NSF, and NASA. I was proud to join Chairman Lucas in leading the USDA and DOE Interagency Research Act. This bill is about leveraging the amazing capabilities of both USDA and DOE to enhance their scientific expertise. Codifying the partnership between these agencies is a testament to our commitment to combat climate change and to serve agricultural communities like those in my district and throughout the nation. I thank Ranking Members Stevens and Sorensen and Chairmen Baird and Williams for their work on their respective interagency research bills. These three bipartisan bills once again exemplify the productive nature of the Science Committee and our ability to deliver for the American people. I look forward to seeing these bills progress to the Senate and the White House.”

“DOE plays a significant role in our federal research enterprise, driving scientific breakthroughs each and every day,” Chairman Lucas said. “H.R. 1713 strengthens both DOE and USDA’s capabilities by improving their ability to work together on a wide range of multidisciplinary research challenges, from advancing crop sciences to enhancing precision agriculture technologies. As a farmer and rancher, I know just how critical this bill is to the agriculture industry, as it will best utilize our limited federal resources to accelerate innovation across the board. Many thanks to Ranking Member Lofgren for partnering with me on this bill, as well as Reps. Baird, Stevens, Williams, and Sorensen for their leadership on the additional DOE partnership bills passed. Interagency collaboration will maximize return on investment of our federal research dollars and solve some of our biggest science and technology challenges. I look forward to moving these bills across the finish line and into law.”

H.R. 2980, the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act, led by Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Stevens (D-MI) and Rep. Baird (R-IN), supports the DOE’s longstanding partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), working on a wide range of research topics such as physics, quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and workforce and education development.

“DOE and NSF represent some of our nation’s most cutting-edge research activities supporting the innovation that we require to solve our most pressing issues and remain competitive on the world stage,” said Ranking Member Haley Stevens. “The work of these two agencies is critical to developing the solutions needed to our nation’s most pressing issues. The CHIPS and Science Act, that I helped author along with my Science Committee colleagues, strengthens DOE and NSF and aims to set them up for success in the coming years. To ensure that we are maximizing the impact of that historic bill, we must promote cross-cutting interagency research activities—this bill will do just that. I was proud to join in leading this bill with my colleague Representative Jim Baird and I look forward to seeing this effort to the finish line.”

“Operating in a silo is never the best practice, especially when conducting scientific research,” said Rep. Jim Baird. “I’m pleased the House is prioritizing interagency cooperation at the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation by passing my legislation directing them to coordinate regularly and share their findings. I’d like to thank Congresswoman Stevens for her support in passing this bill, and I urge the Senate to take up this legislation without delay.”

H.R. 2988, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act, led by Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Sorensen (D-IL) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Williams (R-NY), will improve interagency coordination between DOE and NASA. The two agencies have a long history of collaboration on fundamental research, particularly on nuclear propulsion and power for spacecraft.

“NASA and the Department of Energy have enjoyed a decades-long, successful partnership that has improved our understanding of the universe,” said Ranking Member Sorensen. “I was thrilled to lead the ‘DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act’ alongside my colleague and Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, Congressman Williams. This bill seeks to build and expand upon the productive legacy of NASA and DOE by advancing their coordination on fundamental and applied science. This bill will make a real-world impact for my constituents and the rest of the country—and I was proud to see it pass the House today. When we send the first humans to Mars, they will rely on capabilities made possible by the technology we develop today.”

“H.R. 2988, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act, is a crucial piece of legislation that will help reinvigorate the government’s role in promoting American technological innovation and space travel. This act authorizes the Department of Energy and NASA to enhance cooperation in critical R&D areas like nuclear propulsion systems, quantum information sciences, and high-energy physics,” said Chairman Williams. “Congress must remain committed to U.S. leadership in space and science. The passage of H.R. 2988 in the House of Representatives demonstrates our commitment to scientific exceptionalism, and I am proud to have introduced this legislation.”

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