Ranking Member Lofgren Celebrates the Enactment of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
(WASHINGTON, DC) — Today, President Biden signed S. 870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 into law. This bipartisan bill was cosponsored by Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “I’m very proud to see President Biden sign the Fire Grants and Safety Act into law today,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “Due to extreme heat and drought brought on by the climate crisis, wildfire season is now year-round—leaving our nation’s firefighters in great need of support from Congress. Sadly, we have an … Continue Reading
June 28, 2024ICYMI: McClellan Introduces First-Ever Federal Legislation to Establish Celestial Time Standardization
Bill Will Support American Leadership in Space Exploration (WASHINGTON, DC). - This week, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced H.R. 8837, the Celestial Time Standardization Act, the first piece of federal legislation directing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a time standard for the Moon and other celestial bodies. United States leadership of a sustained presence on the Moon and in deep space is essential for advancing science, … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024Committee Leaders Lofgren and Lucas Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reinforce U.S. Microchip Manufacturing Edge
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK)—along with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), introduced the Chip Equipment Quality, Usefulness, and Integrity Protection Act of 2024 (Chip EQUIP Act), bipartisan and bicameral legislation to prevent companies that receive CHIPS and Science Act funding from purchasing specialized manufacturing tools or equipment made by entities … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024Ranking Member Foushee's Opening Statement at Hearing on State-Level Locomotive Regulation
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight is holding a hearing titled, Environmentalism Off the Rails: How CARB will Cripple the National Rail Network. Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Valerie Foushee's (D-NC) opening statement as prepared for the record is below: Thank you Chairman Obernolte, and thank you to our witnesses for appearing before the Subcommittee today. Since joining … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024Ranking Member Lofgren's Opening Statement at Hearing on State-Level Locomotive Regulation
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight is holding a hearing titled, Environmentalism Off the Rails: How CARB will Cripple the National Rail Network. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren's (D-CA) opening statement as prepared for the record is below: Good afternoon, and thank you to Chairman Obernolte for this opportunity to discuss how our shared home state of California is working to protect the health of our … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024Lucas and Salinas Introduce Bill to Advance Geothermal Energy
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR) introduced legislation to advance supercritical geothermal energy. Supercritical geothermal, sometimes referred to as superhot rock energy, is a category of enhanced geothermal systems that requires deep drilling technologies to access dry rocks at temperatures around 400°C or greater. Water or other liquids are then injected at depths of 4 kilometers … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds Biden-Harris Administration Efforts to Bolster Fusion Energy in the US
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) made several announcements for cutting-edge programs that will advance fusion energy efforts in the United States. First, DOE released its Fusion Energy Strategy 2024, which bolsters the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to advance the commercialization of fusion energy in the United States by closing research gaps and capitalizing on external partnerships. Next, DOE announced $180 million in funding for Fusion Innovative Research … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024Lucas and Salinas Introduce Legislation to Advance Agricultural Research
(WASHINGTON, DC) - This week, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR) introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen a longstanding interagency research partnership between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). H.R. 8613, the NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act, authorizes the NSF and USDA to carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development to enhance … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen Celebrate Boeing Starliner Arrival at the ISS
(WASHINGTON, DC)—On Wednesday, NASA successfully launched its Boeing Starliner spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard. Today, the astronauts arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) after a successful docking. The spacecraft and its crew will spend the next several days at the ISS as Starliner undergoes further testing, before returning the two-person crew to Earth. “Congratulations to NASA, the Boeing team, and … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024Ranking Member Lofgren's Statement for Hearing on NOAA's FY25 Budget Proposal
(WASHINGTON, DC) --Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Environment is holding a hearing titled, An Overview of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2025. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren's (D-CA) opening statement for the record is below: Thank you, Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Ross for holding this hearing on NOAA’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request. Welcome back Dr. Spinrad, and thank you for your … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024Committee Leaders Seek Answers Regarding Optica’s Use of Undisclosed Funds from Huawei to Back U.S. Research
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Elizabeth Rogan, CEO of the Optica Foundation, expressing their concern over recent reporting that Optica has accepted millions of dollars from Huawei — a China-based company whose operations are restricted in the United States — to fund research prizes. The reporting found that Optica masked the fact that Huawei was a source of research grant funds, leaving grant recipients unaware of … Continue Reading
May 10, 2024Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds Announcement of Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation Board Members
(WASHINGTON, DC) -- Yesterday, the Department of Energy announced the inaugural board of directors for the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI). “FESI has the potential to be a transformational resource as we work to achieve our clean energy future,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “I was a steadfast advocate through the appropriation process this past year for providing the necessary funds to launch this foundation, and I’m delighted to see the board of directors … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024Committee Leaders Call for Continued Diligence by NASA After GAO Outlines Cybersecurity Risks
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Last week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) cybersecurity requirements in its spacecraft development contracts. The report, which is the first in a set of GAO reviews on NASA cybersecurity issues being carried out in response to a 2021 request by Science Committee leaders, highlights potential actions that NASA could take to shore up its cybersecurity posture. In the report GAO states, … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024House Passes Two Bipartisan Science Committee Bills to Support Firefighters and Structure Safety
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed two Science Committee bills: H.R. 4143, the National Construction Safety Team Enhancement Act of 2024 and S. 870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023. “Both of these bipartisan bills will help to improve the lives and safety of Americans across the nation,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “Last year, coastal flooding in California left communities across the state vulnerable. In my district, the Pajaro … Continue Reading
May 02, 2024Lucas and Lofgren Praise Appointment of New Commerce IG
(WASHINGTON, DC) - House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) praised the appointment of a new acting Inspector General (IG) at the Department of Commerce yesterday. The appointment followed a letter from the committee leaders requesting the immediate replacement of the current acting IG. “Yesterday, President Biden notified the Congress about the appointment of Jill Baisinger, of the Department of Interior OIG, to serve … Continue Reading
April 30, 2024House Passes Six Bipartisan Science Committee Bills
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed six bipartisan Science Committee bills, covering a range of issues from energy and environment to research and technology. “The bills passed on the House Floor represent our committee’s continuous commitment to advancing and strengthening our country’s research and science enterprise,” said Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK). “From improving our weather forecasting and modeling to developing cleaner energy production methods, these … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024Ranking Members Lofgren and Ross Applaud New EPA PFAS Rule
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a first of its kind drinking water standard to remove per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that are known to cause adverse health impacts, including cancer. The new rule establishes enforceable levels for several PFAS chemicals known to occur in drinking water. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Deborah … Continue Reading
April 10, 2024Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen Applaud NASA’s New Space Sustainability Strategy
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released the first part of its integrated Space Sustainability Strategy to address a rapidly changing space environment and ensure its preservation for future generations. The strategy will help establish new methods of reaching sustainability goals while incentivizing best practices across the global space community. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Ranking Member … Continue Reading
April 05, 2024Ranking Members Lofgren and Ross Applaud Biden-Harris Administration 20B Investment to Advance Climate Solutions Across the Nation
(WASHINGTON, DC) —Yesterday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the grant recipients of 20 billion dollars in funding for community-focused climate solutions. The funding falls under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act. The GGRF is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that funds clean energy and climate projects in communities across the nation, specifically in historically underserved communities. Ranking Member Zoe … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024Science Committee Members Bonamici, Salinas, and Sykes Celebrate CHIPS & Science Funding for Oregon and Ohio
(WASHINGTON, DC) — Earlier this week, President Biden announced that Intel will receive $8.5 billion in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act to expand operations in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon. “Investments from the CHIPS and Science Act in Oregon’s Silicon Forest will help our region remain one of the world’s most important semiconductor and technology ecosystems," said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1). "I’m thrilled that Intel will expand Oregon’s world-class research and … Continue Reading