Science Committee Members Tonko and Ellzey Introduce Bipartisan Microelectronics Research Legislation
(Washington, DC) – Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Jake Ellzey (R-TX) today introduced the bipartisan Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act (Micro Act) that would empower the Department of Energy to drive up research and development of microelectronics. “Manufacturing microelectronics has proven an essential industry in the push to establish a 21st century economy,” said Representative Tonko. “Investing in this innovative technology will … Continue Reading
December 08, 2021Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Leaders Beyer and Babin Statement on House Passage of NASA Enhanced Use Lease Extension Act of 2021
(Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5746, the NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021. H.R. 5746 extends Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) authority to NASA to effectively lease any underutilized, non-excess property owned by the Federal Government, and under NASA’s jurisdiction, to private sector entities, state and local governments, academic institutions, and other Federal agencies. Under its EUL authority, NASA may retain lease revenues and … Continue Reading
December 07, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Passing of NASA Senior Advisor Mark Geyer
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mark Geyer, senior advisor to National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) associate administrator Bob Cabana, and former center director at the Agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, passed away. Mr. Geyer began his NASA career at Johnson Space Center in 1990 and later served as its 12th director. “I offer my sincere condolences to Mr. Geyer’s wife, Jackie, and his family and friends,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson … Continue Reading
December 03, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Launches Inquiry on Oil and Gas Sector Methane Leaks
(Washington, DC) – Yesterday, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent letters to ten oil and gas companies operating in the Permian Basin, to understand whether each company’s existing Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs possess the capability to achieve wide-ranging, quantifiable emission reductions in oil and gas infrastructure methane leaks. The Committee is assessing whether additional policies and research may be required to support a stronger Federal role in … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Celebrates House Passage of the Build Back Better Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House passed H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The Build Back Better Act makes critical investments in our Nation's research enterprise that will help us address the climate crisis, rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic, promote innovation, and renew and repair our research infrastructure. The bill includes transformative funding for operations at the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Aeronautics … Continue Reading
November 17, 2021Chairs Johnson and Beyer Statement on Space Debris Event from Russian ASAT Test
(Washington, DC) - On Monday, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that the Russian Ministry of Defense had performed an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test, which created a dangerous field of space debris, threatening the International Space Station (ISS), the safety of the ISS crew, and other satellites and spacecraft operating in low earth orbit. The crew of the ISS were forced to carry out emergency safety procedures and take shelter in their crew capsules to reduce the risk from a … Continue Reading
November 10, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Joins Congressional Delegation to United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26)
(Washington, DC) - This week, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland on behalf of the United States House of Representatives. In Glasgow, the delegation is participating in bilateral meetings, panel discussions, and other engagements with global leaders on top climate priorities. The Chairwoman is joined by House Science, Space, and Technology Members Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), … Continue Reading
November 08, 2021Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Asks OSTP Director Lander to Protect Spectrum Access
(Washington, DC) - On Friday, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to Dr. Eric Lander, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, recommending that he issue a charge to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to report on strategies for protecting and enabling spectrum access and quality for science and operational applications. As demand for spectrum for mobile applications has increased … Continue Reading
November 04, 2021Chairs Johnson, Beyer, and Stevens Statement on Release of Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020
(Washington, DC) - Today, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Committee for a Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 released a new consensus study, "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s." This report, also referred to as "Astro2020," is the seventh decadal survey in astronomy and astrophysics, and it presents the science goals and recommendations for the investments and activities in ground- and space-based astronomy … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Bold Commitments to Tackle Methane Emissions
(Washington, DC) - Today, President Biden and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Regan took bold steps towards cutting methane emissions. This morning, President Biden, along with the President of the European Commission, launched the Global Methane Pledge with the support of 100 nations, to reduce worldwide emissions of methane by 30% by 2030. Additionally, the EPA proposed a new Clean Air Act rule to sharply reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry, … Continue Reading
October 29, 2021Western Science Committee Dems Introduce Comprehensive Authorization Bill to Improve U.S. Preparedness, Resilience & Response to Wildfires
The National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act will identify & invest in R&D; coordinate wildfire science efforts across federal government's science agencies (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), members of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, introduced H.R. 5781, National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act, a comprehensive science authorization bill that will … Continue Reading
October 20, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Lancet Health and Climate Change Global Report
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, released its annual report: The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. The report, now in its sixth year, tracks the impact of climate change on human health. This year's report also details the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for recovery investments to help build equitable mitigation and adaptation solutions to climate change. Among other important findings, the report highlights the inequities in … Continue Reading
October 20, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Asks EPA Administrator Regan to Review Toxic Substances Control Act Systematic Review Methodology
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding concerns that the uncertainty surrounding the Systematic Review framework for risk evaluations conducted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) could undermine confidence in the chemical risk assessments currently being developed by the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution … Continue Reading
October 18, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Release of EPA’s PFAS Roadmap to Address Forever Chemicals
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its PFAS Strategic Roadmap to strengthen our approach to addressing PFAS. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals that are found in a wide range of consumer products. A growing body of evidence has shown that these "forever chemicals" have been linked to adverse health outcomes such as cancer, infertility, impaired childhood development, and thyroid disease. The Roadmap is built … Continue Reading
October 11, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Congratulates 2021 Nobel Laureates
(Dallas, TX) - Over the last week, the 2021 Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace as well as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, were announced. Each year, thousands of nominators submit candidates for the Nobel Prize, and Laureates are announced in October. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "Every year I am inspired by the groundbreaking accomplishments made by each of the individuals nominated for the Nobel … Continue Reading
October 08, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Start of National Academies Study on Advancing Anti-Racism in STEM Organizations
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) opened its call for nominations to build an interdisciplinary committee of distinguished individuals that will conduct a consensus study on "Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Organizations." The study, which was requested by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson in 2020, will review the literature on bias and racism in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Urges Swift Consideration of President’s Nominee Christopher Frey as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development
(Washington, DC) - Last week, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Dr. Christopher Frey to serve as Assistant Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD). The ORD is a non-regulatory office within EPA that conducts leading-edge research and development that underpins the Agency's decisions. "I was pleased to see President Biden's announcement of his intent to nominate Dr. Christopher Frey to serve as Assistant … Continue Reading
September 27, 2021Chairs Johnson and Beyer Congratulate NASA on the Successful Launch of Landsat 9
(Washington, DC) - Today, Landsat 9, a joint National Aeronauts and Space Administration (NASA) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) satellite mission, successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Landsat program is the longest-running spacecraft series for acquisition of satellite imagery; it's 49 years of providing continuous imagery of Earth's land surface has transformed the field of Earth science. Landsat data, which are free and available to the public, have … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Applauds President Biden’s Assembly of PCAST Members
(Washington, DC) - Today, President Biden announced the 30 members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). "The President's announcement today of the 30 esteemed members of PCAST is a testament to the Biden Administration's commitment to ensuring our nation remains competitive and will continue to lead the world in science and technology," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "I am extremely pleased to learn that this group of distinguished … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on the Passing of Former Chairman Sherwood Boehlert
(Washington, DC) - Last night, former New York Congressman and House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert passed away. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's (D-TX) statement is below. "Last night, my friend and former colleague Congressman Sherwood Boehlert passed away. Congressman Boehlert served as Chairman of the House Science Committee from 2000-2006. We served on opposite sides of the aisle, but I had no better partner in advancing legislation to strengthen the U.S. scientific … Continue Reading