Chairwoman 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
April 20, 2021Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Introduce the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) along with Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced the "Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act." This bill would expand research efforts to better understand the causes and consequences of sexual harassment impacting individuals in the STEM workforce. The bill will also provide support to examine policies to reduce the prevalence and negative impacts of such harassment. "The academic workplace, when compared to the … Continue Reading
April 19, 2021Chairwoman Johnson and Subcommittee Chairman Beyer Celebrate the Success of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Flight
(Washington, DC) - Early this morning, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter succeeded in the first powered, controlled flight on another planet and demonstrated that rotorcraft flight is possible in the thin Martian atmosphere. During Ingenuity's 39.1 seconds of flight, the Perseverance Rover assisted in communicating data from Ingenuity between Mars and Earth. The rover also captured several images of Ingenuity during its flight. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter landed on Mars in February, attached … Continue Reading
April 16, 2021Chairs Johnson and Beyer Applaud Nomination of Pam Melroy for NASA Deputy Administrator
(Washington, DC) - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate former astronaut and U.S. Air Force officer, Pamela Melroy, to serve as Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). "I am pleased that President Biden has nominated Pam Melroy, who will bring an extraordinary level of space experience, depth of technical expertise, and commitment to public service to the role of NASA's Deputy Administrator," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice … Continue Reading
April 16, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on NASA’s Artemis Human Landing System Award
(Washington, DC) - Today, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced it has selected SpaceX to continue development of the Human Landing System (HLS) that will transport astronauts to the lunar surface under the Artemis program. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "I am disappointed that the Acting NASA leadership decided to make such a consequential award prior to the arrival of a new permanent NASA Administrator and Deputy … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Requests EPA Administrator Regan Review Rules on Chlorpyrifos
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to encourage the Agency to review rules on chlorpyrifos, a toxic chemical currently used widely in agriculture as a pesticide. The chemical has been found to have acute impacts on the nervous system, causing nausea and dizziness and, in extreme cases, vomiting, muscle tremors, convulsions, and … Continue Reading
April 12, 2021House Science and Armed Services Committee Chairs Look to Collaborate with President Biden to Address Risks to US Research Enterprise
(Washington, DC) - Last Friday, Members of both the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their interest in collaborating with the Administration on taking a measured and balanced approach to strengthen the security and integrity of the country's academic research enterprise. The letter was signed by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA), Research and Technology … Continue Reading
April 09, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on President Biden’s FY22 Discretionary Budget Request
(Dallas, TX) - Today, President Biden released his Fiscal Year 2022 discretionary budget request. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "I am pleased to see strengthened investments in federal research and development in President Biden's budget request announced today. The Biden Administration has made it clear we are moving forward with science at the forefront of decision making-a vitally important move to bolster our innovation enterprise and provide a … Continue Reading
April 07, 2021Chairwomen Johnson and Sherrill Applaud EPA Administrator on Actions to Strengthen Environmental Justice
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan directed all EPA offices to immediately integrate environmental justice considerations into their plans and actions. Additionally, the Administrator is engaging environmental justice leaders and underserved communities directly to discuss the importance of EPA leadership as it relates to the burden of pollution on those communities. This announcement comes just one week after the White House formed … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Biden’s American Jobs Plan
(Dallas, TX) -Today, President Joe Biden unveiled his infrastructure proposal, the American Jobs Plan. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "It is well past time that we make significant investments in the country's transportation infrastructure, but that alone is far from sufficient to meet the needs of this moment. We must also make broad investments to update our energy grid, clean up our environment, help make communities across the country more … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Overhaul of Science Advisory Committees at EPA
(Dallas, TX) - Today, it was reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is overhauling the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Council (CASAC), two advisory committees that were seriously damaged by Trump-era appointments and management decisions. The decision to dismiss and reconstitute these committees serves as a corrective measure following the impacts of a prohibition on EPA grant recipients that was in place from 2017 until it was declared illegal … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021Chairwoman Johnson Lauds the Formation of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
(Dallas, TX) - Today, the White House announced the membership of the newly-formed White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the President on strategies for providing clean air, land, and water for all communities regardless of race, culture, or economic status. "I commend the White House for convening such a distinguished group to inform its policy choices in support of environmental justice," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice … Continue Reading