Committee Leaders Request GAO Review of Cybersecurity Risks at NASA
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), along with Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Don Beyer (D-VA), and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Brian Babin (R-TX) sent a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a review of the cybersecurity risks to the sensitive data associated with the National Aeronautics and Space … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021Committee Leaders to Introduce Bipartisan Department of Energy Science for the Future Act
(Washington, DC) - Tomorrow, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Subcommittee on Energy Ranking Member Randy Weber (R-TX) will introduce the bipartisan Department of Energy Science for the Future Act. The bill provides comprehensive policy guidance and funding authorization for the major research programs stewarded by the Department of Energy's (DOE) … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021Chairs Johnson and Beyer Statement on GAO Report on NASA Lunar Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, "NASA Lunar Programs: Significant Work Remains, Underscoring Challenges to Achieving Moon Landing in 2024." The report was the result of an Appropriations request for GAO work on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) lunar programs. NASA has initiated eight programs as part of its goal of returning humans to the surface of the Moon by 2024. The report evaluated NASA's progress on its … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Results of the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress
(Washington, DC) - Today results were released from the 2019 administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Grade 4, 8, and 12 assessments in physical science, life science, and earth and space sciences. The NAEP, also known as The Nation's Report Card, is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of student proficiency in subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, U.S. history, civics, and geography. The National Center for Education … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Urges Americans to Prepare for 2021 Hurricane Season as NOAA Releases Hurricane Outlook
(Washington, DC) - Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center released its outlook for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict another active season with a sixty percent chance of an above-normal season. Last year, the storm activity reached historic levels with 30 named storms and record high costs of storm related damages. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30. "We must ensure Americans are … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Request DOE Briefing on Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Granholm to request a briefing on the Colonial Pipeline Company ransomware attack. The cyberattack on the company prompted a temporary shutdown of 5,500 miles of pipeline. "The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has broad authority over "all energy research, development, and demonstration" along with the "commercial application of … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021Chairwoman Johnson and Congresswoman Bonamici Celebrate House Passage of Ocean Acidification Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1447, the "Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats (COAST) Research Act of 2021". This bipartisan legislation addresses ocean acidification, the gradual decrease in oceanic pH due primarily to the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide by seawater, by reauthorizing and updating the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act. The bill was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Suzanne … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Statement on Passage of Legislation to Strengthen U.S. STEM Pipeline
(Washington, DC)-Today, the House passed H.R. 210, the Rural STEM Education Research Act; H.R. 144, the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act; H.R. 204, the STEM Opportunities Act; H.R. 2027, the MSI STEM Achievement Act; and H.R. 2695, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act. Each of the bills will help make significant advancements to improve and strengthen the U.S. STEM pipeline. "We are proud that the House has passed five bipartisan bills addressing different aspects of our … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021Committee Members Statement on Scientific Integrity Task Force
(Washington, DC) - Today, the federal scientific integrity task force convened for the first time. The 46-person task force, comprised of members from more than two dozen government agencies, was mandated by the Biden Administration in a January memorandum, Restoring Trust in Government through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policy Making. Its mission is to review then effectiveness of agency scientific integrity policies developed since the Presidential Memorandum of March 9, 2009 … Continue Reading
May 10, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Colonial Pipeline Cyber Attack
(Dallas, TX) - On Friday, the Colonial Pipeline Company was the target of a cyber attack which subsequently caused the company to shut down 5,500 miles of pipeline that services the East Coast. Today, the FBI confirmed that a hacking group called DarkSide was responsible for the attack. "The Colonial Pipeline cyber attack remains an active threat to the nation's energy security as fuel supplies remain stranded at refineries in Texas," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "I am … Continue Reading
May 07, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on UNEP Global Methane Assessment
(Dallas, TX) - Yesterday, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a Global Methane Assessment report outlining the benefits and costs of mitigating methane emissions. The report, launched by the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), sets forth an agenda that could reduce human-caused methane emissions by 45 percent this decade. "Mitigating the climate crisis requires swift action across all aspects of human activity," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "The … Continue Reading
May 04, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on NCEI New U.S. Climate Normals
(Dallas, TX) - Today NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) released a decadal update of new Climate Normals for the U.S. This update includes the latest information for 1991-2020, incorporating averages and statistics for temperature, precipitation, and other parameters that put our current weather into a context that is vital for making climate-related decisions. "The impacts of the climate crisis are already present in our daily lives, and we must effectively plan … Continue Reading
April 30, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Responds to President Biden’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress
(Washington, DC) - On Wednesday, President Joe Biden made his first address to a Joint Session of Congress. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement. "On Wednesday evening, President Biden spoke directly to Americans across the nation on the progress made in his first 100 days and the ambitious goals the Biden-Harris Administration has set out to achieve for the United States, from combating the climate crisis to ending gun violence. I support these priorities … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021Chairs Johnson and Beyer Statements on Passing of NASA Astronaut Michael Collins
(Washington, DC) - Today, NASA astronaut Michael Collins passed away at 90 years old after a battle with cancer. Collins had a distinguished career as an Air Force pilot and a NASA Astronaut, followed by other positions in public service. First setting an altitude record on Gemini 10, Collins is most remembered as pilot of the Apollo 11 command module. During the Apollo 11 mission, Collins remained in lunar orbit while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the lunar surface. "I'd like … Continue Reading
April 23, 2021House Members Request OMB and OSTP Support for RISE Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) with Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Fred Upton (D-MI), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Shalanda Young and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Acting Director Kei Koizumi asking for their support of H.R. 869, the "Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act." "We believe it is vital that the … Continue Reading
April 23, 2021Chairwomen Johnson and Stevens Applaud Appointment of DOT Chief Science Officer
(Washington, DC) - On Wednesday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced that Dr. Robert Hampshire will serve as the Chief Science Officer for the Department of Transportation. "I am pleased that Secretary Buttigieg has designated Dr. Robert Hampshire, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, to be the first Chief Science Officer for the Department of Transportation in more than 40 years," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "The research and … Continue Reading
April 23, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Applauds Nomination of Dr. Rick Spinrad for NOAA Administrator
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate former Chief Scientist of NOAA, Dr. Rick Spinrad, to serve as Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. "I am excited to see the Biden-Harris Administration name Dr. Rick Spinrad to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration." said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "A distinguished scientist with many accomplishments in the field of oceanography, Dr. Spinrad is … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on President Biden’s New Emissions Target and Leaders Climate Summit
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Biden Administration announced that United States would submit a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The White House also convened a two-day virtual Leaders Summit on Climate with forty invited world leaders in an effort to "galvanize efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis." The Summit … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Earth Day
(Washington, DC) - Every year on April 22, communities around the world celebrate Earth Day, a day dedicated to bringing attention to the health and protection of the environment. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "Every Earth Day, we celebrate our planet by taking action to protect our environment. Due to the ongoing public health crisis, we must celebrate with a mixture of outdoor and virtual events for the second year in a row. Though we continue to … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on American Lung Association’s ‘State of the Air’ Report
(Washington, DC) - Today, the American Lung Association (ALA) released their annual "State of the Air" report. For the past 22 years, the ALA has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile this report. Top-line findings: More than four in ten Americans (41.1% - more than 135 million Americans) live in counties that had unhealthy ozone or particle pollution in 2017-2019. Close to 20.7 million people, or 6.3% of Americans, live in the 13 counties that failed all three … Continue Reading