Chairwoman Johnson Statement on the Need for Racial and Ethnic Data Concerning COVID-19 Tests, Diagnoses, and Treatments
(Dallas, TX) - Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the first Federal report showing that people of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Particularly, this early data shows that minority populations are being hospitalized and dying at higher rates than others living in the very same town, city, or state. Pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can lead to more severe complications if a person is … Continue Reading
April 24, 2020Chairwomen Johnson and Horn Statements on the 30th Anniversary of the Hubble Telescope
(Washington, DC) - Today marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope from Kennedy Space Center aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. "The Hubble Space Telescope is an incredible testament to American ingenuity and innovation," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "Thanks to Hubble, over the last thirty years we have been able to see into the depths of our universe and explore its many mysteries from here on Earth. From capturing the evolution of galaxies … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Expresses Concern Over Reassignment of Health and Human Services Dr. Rick Bright
(Dallas, TX) - Earlier this week, Dr. Rick Bright, the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response was removed from his posts and transferred to a lesser role at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Bright said his dismissal was ordered in retaliation after he sought to prioritize investments into proven treatments and resisted political … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Statement on the 50th Earth Day Celebration
(Dallas, TX) - 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. "For 50 years, we have marked Earth Day by celebrating our remarkable planet and by joining together in support of environmental protection. This year we are facing an unprecedented public health crisis that has caused Earth Day celebrations to go … Continue Reading
April 15, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Urges President Trump to Restore U.S. Funding of World Health Organization
(Dallas, TX) - Yesterday, the President announced at a coronavirus press briefing that he plans to instruct his "administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus." Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "I am shocked and deeply disturbed by President Trump's decision to investigate and halt U.S. … Continue Reading
April 09, 2020Chairwomen Johnson and Horn Comment on Independent Review of Space Station National Laboratory R&D Management
Earlier this week, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released the results of an evaluation of the not-for-profit entity that manages non-NASA research and development (R&D) on the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS). Along with it, NASA released their planned actions in response to the review. The report of was conducted by an independent review team (IRT). "I appreciate the independent … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Extended Comment Period for Supplemental to EPA Science Rule
(Dallas, TX) - Earlier today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee that the Agency intends to extend the comment period on the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science supplemental notice to the proposed rulemaking from April 17, 2020, to May 18, 2020. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "While this extension is a step in the right direction, it is unreasonably optimistic to expect … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Questions CDC Decision-making on COVID-19 Testing Protocols
(Dallas, TX) -Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Dr. Robert Redfield, requesting the Agency preserve the records that address CDC decision-making on diagnostic test protocols as coronavirus emerged in the United States in early 2020. In January, CDC decided not to deploy test kits that had been made available by the World Health Organization (WHO). In February, the test kits developed independently by … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Trump Rollback of Emissions Standards
(Dallas, TX) - Yesterday, despite pushback from major automakers, the Trump Administration announced the final rule to roll back Obama-era fuel efficiency standards for tailpipe emissions from vehicles. This new rule will loosen fuel efficiency standards for automakers that would lead to an increase of nearly a billion more tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of vehicles built during this rule. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "I am … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Lucas Request GAO Evaluation of DOE’s Management of Waste Cleanup Technology Development
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller Gene Dodaro requesting an evaluation of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) science and technology (S&T) development priorities that would aid in efficiently and expeditiously implementing its cleanup mission. DOE's EM is responsible for most of the Department's cleanup activities of … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Unproven Claims of Chemicals that Prevent and Treat COVID-19
(Dallas, TX) - Earlier this week, inaccurate rumors began to spread about chloroquine and other chemicals' supposed ability to protect against and treat COVID-19. Following the spread of those claims, reports emerged of individuals in multiple countries ingesting chemicals to prevent contracting the virus. On Monday, one American was reported dead and his wife was put under critical care after both ingested chloroquine phosphate. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Requests Extension of Public Comment Opportunities for Proposed “Strengthening Transparency” Rule
(Dallas, TX) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler requesting he extend the public comment period, hold public hearings when it is safe to do so, and brief staff on the most recent version of the proposed Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science rule. Chairwoman Johnson's letter follows the publication of the new version of the rule in the Federal Register, initiating a 30-day public comment … Continue Reading
March 12, 2020Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Introduce National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) together with Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), and Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced H.R. 6216, the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020. This legislation would accelerate and coordinate Federal investments and facilitate new public-private partnerships in research, standards, and education in artificial intelligence, in order … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Urge NOAA Leadership to Ensure Success of Future Numerical Weather Prediction
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acting Administrator, Dr. Neil Jacobs, regarding the upcoming release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC). The EPIC program's goal is to advance U.S. weather prediction by fostering collaboration within the weather community to address the longstanding gaps in … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Statement on EPA Supplemental Rule to Undercut Agency Science
(Washington, DC) - On Tuesday, the Environmental Protection Agency posted its supplemental proposal to its "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science" rule, first issued in April 2018. The rule stipulates that for regulations and key scientific activities, EPA can only consider a study "if the data and models are available in a manner sufficient for independent validation." This undercuts EPA scientists' ability to consider broad swaths of public health data protected by patient privacy … Continue Reading
March 03, 2020Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Express Concern Over Recent Data Breach at Clearview AI
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to the CEO of Clearview AI, Mr. Hoan Ton-That, expressing their concern over reports of the company's recent data breach. Clearview AI's facial recognition technology and other services are used widely by law enforcement agencies. In the letter, the Chairwoman and Ranking Member are requesting answers on how Clearview AI collects, uses, and protects data and how data breaches … Continue Reading
February 24, 2020Chairwoman Johnson’s Statement on the Passing of Katherine Johnson
(Dallas, TX) - This morning, Katherine Johnson, the former NASA mathematician whose calculations played a critical role in the early successes of the U.S. space program, passed away at 101 years old. Katherine Johnson was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on November 8, 2019, after Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's (D-TX) bill, H.R. 1396, the "Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act," was signed into law. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "Today … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Questions EPA’s Proposed Guidance on Science Advisory Board Engagement
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler requesting information on the effects of a draft memorandum titled, "Science Advisory Board Engagement Process." The draft memorandum lays out new guidance for engaging with the EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) on any proposed criteria document, standard, limitation, or regulation. "I am particularly troubled by the timing of this draft … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020Chairwoman Johnson's Response to the President’s FY21 Budget Proposal
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, President Trump's Fiscal Year 2021 budget request was released. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "While I am still reviewing the President's Fiscal Year 2021 budget request, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with the destructive cuts to important civilian R&D and science and technology programs it contains. While there are bright spots, overall this proposal damages vital parts of our nation's federal science … Continue Reading
January 30, 2020Chairwomen Johnson and Horn Statement on NASA Day of Remembrance
(Washington, DC) - Today is NASA's Day of Remembrance, a day designated to honor those NASA employees who lost their lives "while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery." "Today we pay tribute to the brave men and women of NASA who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation in the name of discovery and exploration," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "Human spaceflight is a difficult undertaking and our NASA astronauts and crew members courageously take on the … Continue Reading