House Passes Bipartisan Suicide Prevention and Veterans in STEM Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Last night, the House of Representatives considered and passed H.R. 4704, the "Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act," by a recorded vote of 385-8 and S. 153, the "Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act," under suspension of the rules. H.R. 4704, the "Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act," authorizes the National Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research to better understand and prevent suicide. Read Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's (D-TX) … Continue Reading
January 24, 2020Committee Members Introduce NASA Authorization Legislation
(Washington, DC) - This afternoon, Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairwoman Kendra Horn (D-OK) along with Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX), Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced H.R. 5666, the "National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2020." H.R. 5666 reaffirms NASA's foundational authority as a multi-mission agency and emphasizes the importance of balanced … Continue Reading
January 16, 2020Chairwoman Johnson Statement on Second Warmest Year on Record Announcement
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, NASA and NOAA announced that, "The globally averaged temperature departure from average over land and ocean surfaces for 2019 was the second highest since record keeping began in 1880. NOAA also found that the ocean heat content in 2019 was the highest in recorded history." Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "For decades we have been warned that the global temperatures would rise if we didn't prescribe measures to limit … Continue Reading
January 09, 2020Science, Space, and Technology Committee Approves New Subcommittee Chairs
(Washington, DC) - Today the Democratic Caucus of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee unanimously approved the appointment of new Chairs for the Subcommittees on Energy, Environment, and Investigations and Oversight. This change in the Committee roster comes after Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Conor Lamb was appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "I would like to welcome all of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee Members to the second session … Continue Reading
January 07, 2020NSF Announces Designation of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, at the 235th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Honolulu, Hawai'i, the National Science Foundation officially announced the designation of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a National Science Foundation and Department of Energy funded facility under construction in northern Chile, as the "Vera C. Rubin Observatory." The legislation calling for this designation, H.R. 3196, the "Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act" was introduced by … Continue Reading
December 12, 2019Committee Chairs to Wheeler: “Instruct all staff at EPA to cooperate with the OIG”
"You must ensure that Agency employees cooperate with the Inspector General's independent investigations, as required by law" (Washington, DC) - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler concerning efforts by … Continue Reading
December 11, 2019Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Express Concern Over Reported Harassment at NSF
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. France Córdova expressing their concern over recent incidents of harassment at NSF. In the letter, the Chairwoman and Ranking Member request to meet with Dr. Córdova to discuss the steps NSF is taking to address this issue and how the agency will prevent such problems from occurring in the future. "As leaders on … Continue Reading
December 11, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Urges Department of Homeland Security to Reassess BioDetection 21 Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Acting Assistant Secretary Gary Rasicot urging him to address concerns pertaining to the deployment of a new biodetection system called BioDetection 21 (BD21). BioWatch is the nation's existing biodetection program that provides early warning of a bioterrorist attack. Since the program's creation, BioWatch has cost $1.6 billion … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Request GAO Evaluation on Spectrum Interference Issues
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller Gene Dodaro requesting an evaluation of how the Federal government, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) resolves spectrum interference issues and ensures that the spectrum is available to meet critical needs. Additionally, the … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Seeks Outstanding Information from Department of Commerce on Hurricane Dorian Investigation
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a follow up letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on the Department's involvement in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) actions surrounding claims that Hurricane Dorian would impact Alabama. This letter follows up on the Chairwoman's September 11 and October 10 requests for information. "To date, we have received no responsive materials from the Department that would address the … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019Chairwoman Johnson and Senator Coons Honor Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Awardees
(Washington, DC) - Last night in the U.S. Capitol, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), and the Sloan Foundation honored Dr. Christine Darden, Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former NASA mathematician, data analyst, and aeronautical engineer. Katherine Johnson and her family and the families of Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were also recognized at the event. The event celebrated the passage of bipartisan legislation, introduced by Chairwoman … Continue Reading
December 09, 2019House Passes Bipartisan Science Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives considered and passed five bipartisan Science, Space, and Technology Committee bills under suspension of the rules. "I am very pleased that today the House considered and passed five bipartisan Science Committee bills," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "These bills work to address U.S. competitiveness; ensure that traditionally underrepresented groups help drive U.S. innovation; and to find ways to detect online … Continue Reading
November 27, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Statement on the Loss of William Ruckelshaus
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, William D. Ruckelshaus, the first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and former Deputy Attorney General, passed away. Mr. Ruckelshaus is largely credited with helping shape the EPA in the early 1970s. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "I am deeply saddened to learn that today we lost the 'father of the EPA,' William Ruckelshaus. As the first Administrator of the EPA and later as the Administrator … Continue Reading
November 22, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Responds to Science Committee Minority Members’ Letter of Concern
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) replied to a letter she received yesterday from the Republican Members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. The Chairwoman's letter reaffirms that the Science Committee's agenda under her leadership has and will continue to be constructive, bipartisan, and address strategies to maintain American competitiveness. A signed copy of the letter to Ranking Member Lucas can be found here, and the text is below. … Continue Reading
November 15, 2019Science Committee Chairwoman Issues Subpoenas to EPA
(Washington, DC) - After eight months of delayed and insufficient responses in providing the Committee with information necessary for the oversight of the IRIS program and its review of the chemical formaldehyde, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) today issued two subpoenas to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These subpoenas follow a final request sent to the EPA on October 29 to hold a transcribed interview with Mr. David Dunlap; the response of the Office of Children's Health … Continue Reading
November 13, 2019Committee Members Seek Answers from DOE on Sole-Source Award for Production of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium
(Washington, DC) -Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairwoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Ralph Norman (R-SC) along with Energy Subcommittee Chairman Conor Lamb (D-PA) and Ranking Member Randy Weber (R-TX) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry and Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette requesting information about the process under which the DOE selected and funded an award to Centrus Energy … Continue Reading
November 08, 2019Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act is Signed into Law
(Washington, DC) - This afternoon, The White House announced that President Trump signed H.R. 1396, the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) was the lead sponsor in the Senate. "I am thrilled to hear that the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act has been signed into law by the President," said Chairwoman Johnson. "This bill was long overdue, and I would … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Statement on the Formal Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, President Trump formally notified the United Nations that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's (D-TX) statement is below. "For years, I have expressed my disapproval of President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. It is embarrassing that the U.S. has now formally abandoned not only this international agreement but the Americans who are dealing with the very real … Continue Reading
October 29, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Sends Final Request to EPA on Integrated Risk Information System Program
(Washington, DC) – This morning, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent one final letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, seeking relevant documents and transcribed interviews with EPA staff. It was a follow-up to numerous previous requests related to the decision to remove formaldehyde and nine other chemical assessments from its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program outlook. The deadline for the EPA to fully cooperate is November … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Reiterates Concerns to FCC Over Interference with Accuracy of Weather Forecasts
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to follow up on a September 30, 2019, request for information to which the Committee has yet to receive a response. That letter requested any technical analysis conducted or reviewed by the FCC on out-of-band emissions limits under consideration for the 24.25-24.75 GHz spectrum band to be discussed at the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2019, … Continue Reading