Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Biden Administration Plan to Address Methane Emissions
(Washington, DC)—Today at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, President Biden announced the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) supplemental proposal to reduce methane and other harmful pollution from oil and natural gas operations. This supplemental proposal comes as an update and expansion of EPA’s November 2021 proposal to reduce methane emissions. “Addressing methane emissions is vital to America’s ability to confront the climate crisis and reach its … Continue Reading
November 10, 2022Science Committee Chairs Applaud Successful Launch of JPSS-2 Satellite
(Washington, DC)—Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) mission was successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. JPSS-2 is the third satellite in the polar satellite series. The satellite will orbit the Earth from the North pole to South pole—capturing critical data to improve weather forecasts, helping scientists predict and prepare for extreme weather events and monitor climate … Continue Reading
November 08, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Celebrates National STEM Day
(Washington, DC)— Every year on November 8, the United States celebrates National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Day to encourage students of all ages to explore opportunities in these fields. “On National STEM Day we celebrate science, technology, engineering, math, and all those who work in and pursue these ever-evolving fields,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “On this special day we must also double down on our efforts to … Continue Reading
November 07, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Biden-Harris Administration Announcement of 1.5 Billion for U.S. National Labs
(Washington, DC)—Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced $1.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to build and make updates to America’s national laboratories. “I am very pleased that the Biden Administration is distributing $1.55 billion for research infrastructure at the National Laboratories stewarded by the Department of Energy,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “This funding, made … Continue Reading
October 18, 2022Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Send Letter to OSTP Director Prabhakar Requesting Implementation Details of New Memorandum on Access to Federally Funded Research
(Washington, DC)—Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a joint letter on public access to federally funded research to the newly confirmed Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Dr. Arati Prabhakar. The letter follows OSTP’s August 25, 2022 Memorandum to Executive Departments and Agencies on Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research. Among other policy changes, the new … Continue Reading
October 07, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Statement on the National Strategy for the Arctic Region
(Dallas, TX)—Today, the White House released the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, an update of its 2013 predecessor. This strategy is a framework to guide the federal government’s approach to tackling challenges and opportunities in the Arctic. Through its four pillars, the strategy addresses security for the U.S. and our allies, the climate crisis, improving livelihoods for local communities, and sustaining international cooperation … Continue Reading
October 04, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Applauds the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights
(Dallas, TX)—Yesterday, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights to help guide the design, development, and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and other automated systems. The five-point framework aims to protect the rights of the American public in an increasingly automated world. “The Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights is a critical step to ensure … Continue Reading
September 29, 2022Chairwoman Stevens Applauds House Passage of SBIR and STTR Extension Act
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House passed S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. S. 4900 reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization. “The … Continue Reading
September 28, 2022Chairman Beyer Introduces Bill to Address Methane Super-Emitters in Oil and Gas Operations
(Washington, DC)—Today, the Methane Super-Emitter Strategy Act of 2022 was introduced to the House of Representatives. The bill addresses a finding of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s investigation into oil and gas sector methane leaks and June 8, 2022 hearing on the same topic, which determined that oil and gas companies are failing to address super-emitting leaks. These leaks are known as a primary driver of methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Chairman … Continue Reading
September 28, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Introduces Bill to Address Research Gaps in Methane Emission Monitoring
(Washington, DC)—Today, the Methane Emissions Research Act was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill would create a pilot study at the Environmental Protection Agency to use direct measurements to quantify methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure in the United States. The bill addresses knowledge gaps that were identified by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s investigation into oil and gas sector methane leaks earlier this year, as well as a … Continue Reading
September 27, 2022Science Committee Leaders Send Letter to FCC on Orbital Debris Mitigation Standards
(Washington, DC) – Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Don Beyer (D-VA), and Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX) sent a letter to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the FCC's potential consideration of new regulations for orbital space debris at its upcoming open Commission meeting. The letter is a follow … Continue Reading
September 26, 2022Chairman Beyer Statement on NASA DART Mission
(Washington, DC)—Today, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, successfully carried out the first-ever planetary defense test mission. The Double Asteroid Redirect Test (DART) mission demonstrated kinetic impactor technology to affect the asteroid Dimorphos’s speed and trajectory. Dimorphos is part of the double-asteroid system Didymos. “I’m excited … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Senate Ratification of Kigali Amendment to Reduce HFCs
(Dallas, TX)—Today, the U.S. Senate passed the minimum threshold of 67 votes needed to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Kigali Amendment commits the United States to join global governments in phasing down production and use of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. HFCs are greenhouse gases that have a global warming potential over 1,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide and are commonly used for cooling and refrigeration. The phase-out of HFCs is expected to … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022Science Committee Leaders Urge Transparency in FAA Investigation of Blue Origin Booster Failure
(Washington, DC) – Today, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Don Beyer (D-VA) and Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX) led a letter to Acting Administrator Billy Nolen of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the FAA’s investigation into the booster failure experienced this Monday by Blue Origin’s New Shepard-23. In the letter, the Subcommittee leaders assert the seriousness of the situation and note the … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Applauds President Biden Actions to Advance U.S. Bioeconomy
(Washington, DC)— On Monday, President Biden signed an Executive Order on advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation for a sustainable, safe, and secure American Bioeconomy. Today the White House is hosting a Summit on biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The bioeconomy represents the intersection of products and services that come from biological resources. In August, Chairwoman Johnson’s Bioeconomy Research and Development Act became law as a provision within the … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chair Beyer Statement on Blue Origin New Shepard-23 Booster Failure
(Washington, DC)--Today, Blue Origin’s commercial suborbital launch vehicle, New Shepard-23 (NS-23), which launched from its launch site in West Texas, suffered a booster failure that caused the vehicle’s crew escape system to activate. The vehicle, which was reportedly carrying science payloads, was uncrewed and no humans were on board. However, the same booster design is used for the company’s commercial launches with humans, with six such crewed launches being carried … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Speaks at 60th Anniversary Celebration of President Kennedy’s Speech that the U.S. would Go to the Moon
(Houston, TX) – Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, other NASA officials, and Congressional colleagues at Rice University to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s speech announcing America’s intent to land humans on the Moon. “Hello, I am Eddie Bernice Johnson, and I have the pleasure of chairing the Congressional Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. So, this is a great day for us, and … Continue Reading
September 09, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Arrives in Ohio to Join President Biden at Groundbreaking of New Intel Chip Factory
(Licking County, OH) – Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson arrived in Ohio to attend the groundbreaking of Intel’s newest U.S. manufacturing site. “It is incredible to see the CHIPS and Science Act already reaping benefits across the country, including solidifying Intel’s decision to invest in its first new U.S. manufacturing site in 40 years,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “Chip shortages continue to impact Americans across the … Continue Reading
August 28, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Arrives in Florida with Science Committee Colleagues to Attend Launch of Artemis I
(Cape Canaveral, FL)—Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson arrived in Florida with several Science, Space, and Technology Committee Members to attend the launch of Artemis I, which is slated for Monday morning. “As a dedicated supporter of our space exploration program, I am very delighted to be here in Florida to attend the launch of the Artemis I mission,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “This test flight will bring us one step closer to our return to … Continue Reading
August 26, 2022Chairwoman Johnson Applauds EPA’s Proposal to Designate PFAS Chemicals as Hazardous Substances under Superfund
(Dallas, TX) – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to designate two of the most prevalent PFAS—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)— as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. Listing these PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” under Superfund would provide increased transparency around releases of PFAS and help … Continue Reading