Ranking Members Lofgren and Ross Statement on NOAA 2023 Arctic Report Card
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2023 Arctic Report Card. Since 2006, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published its annual Arctic Report Card, which tracks environmental changes over time for the region. The 2023 Arctic Report Card details that over the past year, Arctic temperatures exhibited an alarming progression of warming. Surface air temperatures were the sixth warmest since 1900 with summer … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023Science Committee Leaders Stress Importance of Diligence in NIST AI Safety Research Funding
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie Locascio regarding the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) at NIST. Subcommittee on Research and Technology Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) along with Subcommittee on Investigations and … Continue Reading
December 12, 2023ICYMI: Ranking Member Lofgren Joins CAPAC Chair and Oversight Committee Ranking Member to Request GAO Review of Federal Investigations into Foreign Influence on Research
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, leading Members of Congress requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a formal review of ongoing federal efforts to investigate allegations of foreign influence in federally funded research. The Members seek to ensure that researchers are not facing discriminatory treatment while federal agencies implement policies to protect U.S. research security. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) joined Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) … Continue Reading
December 11, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Statement on Announcement of Preliminary Terms of CHIPS and Science Act Support for U.S. National Security Project with BAE Systems
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the first preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with BAE Systems Electronic Systems. Once finalized, through funding authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, BAE Systems will receive $35 Million in federal incentives to make necessary improvements to their Microelectronics Center in Nashua, New Hampshire. The project will replace aging tools and quadruple the production of chips necessary for critical defense programs … Continue Reading
December 08, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds DOE Establishment of Inertial Fusion R&D Hubs
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the Department of Energy announced the establishment of three multi-institutional hubs to support research and development in inertial fusion energy technologies under a new program called Inertial Fusion Energy Science and Technology Accelerated Research (IFE-STAR). These hubs will build on the groundbreaking achievement of ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility last year, as well as other important advances in fusion … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023House Advances Science Committee Research Partnership Bills
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three bipartisan Science Committee bills which leverage the unparalleled expertise, resources, and research of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). H.R. 1713, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act, led by Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Lucas (R-OK), authorizes cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities between DOE and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Our … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023Science Committee Bill to Combat Spread of Synthetic Opioids Sent to President’s Desk
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1734, the TRANQ Research Act, which directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to deepen its partnerships and strategically focus on the science needed to detect, identify, and better understand synthetic opioids. This critical piece of legislation, led by Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) and sponsored by 24 Republican and … Continue Reading
December 03, 2023Ranking Member Applauds Finalization of Biden-Harris Administration Methane Rule
(SAN JOSE, CA)— On Saturday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that aims to reduce methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas operations. The rule’s finalization comes as world leaders meet in Dubai for the COP 28 Climate Summit. The rule aims to sharply reduce methane and other harmful air pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry, including from hundreds of thousands of existing sources nationwide, promote the use of cutting-edge methane detection … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds Biden Administration National Strategy to Address GHGs
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Yesterday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a National Strategy to strengthen U.S. greenhouse gas measurement and monitoring capabilities. Among other efforts, the Strategy leverages the capabilities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and directs them to lead a U.S. Greenhouse … Continue Reading
November 16, 2023Lofgren and Lucas Expand Committee’s Investigation into Handling of Sexual Assault in the U.S. Antarctic Program
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent letters to the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the CEO of Leidos, Inc. demanding answers as part of their investigation into sexual harassment and assault in the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). The Committee first began its scrutiny of sexual misconduct in the USAP in 2017, when it opened an investigation into allegations of … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Statement on the 2023 Lancet Health and Climate Change Global Report
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)— Yesterday, The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, launched its 2023 Countdown on Health and Climate Change Global Report and U.S. Policy Brief. The report and brief highlight the severe and escalating impact of climate change on public health. The report reveals alarming projections for the near future, pointing out that in 2022, individuals were exposed to an average of 86 days of health-threatening high temperatures, primarily driven by human-caused climate change. … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Calls for Solutions after Release of Fifth National Climate Assessment
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA 5). Conducted by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), the Assessment analyzes the impacts of climate and global change in the United States. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) made the following statement: “This assessment, and other sweeping climate reports like it, should be a catalyst for swift action to put every tool we have to use in addressing the climate crisis. … Continue Reading
November 09, 2023Science Committee Passes Bipartisan Weather Act Reauthorization
The Weather Act Reauthorization of 2023 includes five bills led by Democratic Members. (WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Yesterday, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology passed H.R. 6093, the Weather Act Reauthorization of 2023 through Committee. The bill was reported favorably to the House and includes five bills led by Democratic Members of the Committee this Congress. The provisions in this bill were developed over the course of many months, with rigorous stakeholder input on what the … Continue Reading
November 03, 2023Science Committee Leaders Introduce Bill to Advance and Secure Quantum Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to advance quantum science and technology in the United States and maintain our global leadership position. As competing nations like China and Russia are actively investing in the development of quantum systems, continuing our success in this field is critical to our economic competitiveness … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Reacts to Biden Administration Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Today, President Biden signed a sweeping Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Order intends to create a safe, secure, and trustworthy AI landscape and ensure the U.S. is positioned to lead in this quickly moving technology. The Executive Order builds upon the work of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s National AI Initiative Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. “I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration on this sweeping executive order to … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Criticizes Republican Majority for Thwarting US Competitiveness with Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Yesterday, H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act passed the House of Representatives. This bill will decide how much funding the Department of Energy (DOE) will receive in the FY 2024 budget. The bill lacks support for areas that are critical to the competitiveness of our nation, including fusion energy research and development.“The Republicans’ Energy and Water Appropriations bill that moved through the House yesterday is a huge … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023Lofgren, Lucas and Science Committee Members Introduce Weather Act Reauthorization to Advance National Weather Forecasting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced comprehensive legislation to continue to strengthen and advance the U.S. weather system. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) delivers critical services to millions of Americans across the country each and every day. The Weather Act Reauthorization ensures NOAA’s work is modern, reliable, and at the forefront of accurate … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Applauds NOAA Effort to Use AI to Translate Forecasts and Warnings into Spanish and Chinese
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Today, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced an experimental language translation website that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to translate NWS forecasts and warnings into Spanish and Simplified Chinese. In preliminary testing, forecasters using the AI model reduced the time needed to translate National Hurricane Center information from one hour to less than ten minutes. "Translating NOAA's life-saving alerts is a key step in ensuring we can keep everyone … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Congratulates National Medal of Science and National Medal of Innovation and Technology Laureates
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, President Biden awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Americans who have made an outstanding impact in their respective fields. Both medals are the nation’s highest honor in science and technological achievement. The Laureates are listed below.“Congratulations to the Laureates on this tremendous and well-deserved honor,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “As a California Representative, I’m proud to see several of … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023Science Committee Members Celebrate CHIPS and Science Act Tech Hub and Strategy Development Grant Awards
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, the Biden Administration designated 31 communities across the country that will serve as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs. Also known as the Tech Hubs Program, this program was enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act to establish and support regional innovation centers across the country. The Tech Hubs will leverage the strengths of their community, regional industry, and geographical location to build and scale their Innovation and Technology Hub. In … Continue Reading