Senate Passes Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Senate considered and passed the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act. This bill awards the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress's highest civilian honor, to Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, Christine Darden, and all the women computers, mathematicians, and engineers at NASA, and its precursor organization the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), who devoted their talents in service to the United States from the 1930s to the … Continue Reading
October 15, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Congratulates Nobel Laureates
(Washington, DC) - Over the last week, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine as well as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, established in 1968 in memory of Alfred Nobel, were announced. Each year, thousands of nominators submit candidates for the Nobel Prize and winners are announced in October. The list of Honored Laureates consists of: Dr. James Peebles, Physics Dr. Michel Mayor, Physics Dr. Didier Queloz, Physics Dr. John Goodenough, Chemistry Dr. M. … Continue Reading
October 10, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Follows Up on Investigation Into Reported Directives Regarding Hurricane Dorian
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Department of Commerce (Commerce) Secretary Wilbur Ross to follow up on the Department's involvement in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) actions surrounding claims that Hurricane Dorian would impact Alabama. Though the Committee has yet to receive any responsive materials from Commerce, NOAA's Acting Administrator, Dr. Neil Jacobs did agree to meet for a briefing with Science … Continue Reading
September 30, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Seeks Response to 5G Spectrum Studies
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai requesting any technical analysis that the FCC has conducted or reviewed on out-of-band emissions limits under consideration for the 24.25-24.75 GHz spectrum band to be discussed under Agenda Item 1.13 at the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), slated to begin October 28. Attached to the letter are two studies prepared by NOAA and … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019House Passes STEM Opportunities Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives considered and passed Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's (D-TX) legislation H.R. 2528, the "STEM Opportunities Act" under suspension of the rules. This bill addresses the underrepresentation of women and racial and ethnic minority groups in research careers at institutions of higher education and at Federal laboratories. "This bill has been a long time coming," said Chairwoman Johnson. "Women already comprise 50 percent of the … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019Chairwoman Johnson’s Statement on IPPC Ocean and Cryosphere Special Report
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. This is the third special report to be released out of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment and is the first report to focus exclusively on the impacts of climate change on the world's oceans and ice. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "The findings of the IPCC Special Report on the … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019House Passes Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives considered and passed under suspension of the rules H.R. 1396, the "Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act." This bill, cosponsored by 314 Members of Congress, awards the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress's highest civilian honor, to Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, Christine Darden, and all the women computers, mathematicians, and engineers at NASA, and its precursor organization the National Advisory Committee for … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019Committee Members Introduce Minority Serving Institution STEM Achievement Act
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) along with Congressman Michael Waltz (R-FL) introduced H.R. 4372, the "MSI STEM Achievement Act." H.R. 4372 directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research to better understand the challenges minority serving institutions (MSIs) face, their contributions to the STEM workforce, and effective approaches to enhancing their capacity to compete for Federal STEM education and research funds. The bill also ensures … Continue Reading
September 16, 2019Committee Leaders Demand Answers from EPA on Agency’s Efforts to Systemically Weaken the Role of Science
Washington, D.C. - Leaders of the Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology Committees sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler today demanding answers for the Agency's ongoing attempts to undermine and discredit the role of science. In October of 2018, EPA disbanded the panel of independent science experts that typically supports the work of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). The Committee leaders are concerned … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019Committee Leadership Continues to Investigate Reported NOAA Directives Concerning Hurricane Dorian
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Environment Subcommittee Chair Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairwoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acting Administrator, Dr. Neil Jacobs, requesting information related to NOAA's involvement in the actions surrounding claims that Hurricane Dorian would impact Alabama. The House Science, Space, and Technology … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019Committee Launches Investigation into Commerce Department’s Involvement in NOAA Actions Regarding Hurricane Dorian
(Washington, DC) - Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairwoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross requesting information related to the Department's involvement in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) actions surrounding claims that Hurricane Dorian would impact Alabama, as well as requesting a briefing with Department of Commerce employees who may have been involved in any … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019Chairwoman Johnson’s Reaction to Reported Threats by Commerce Secretary to Fire NOAA Officials Following Hurricane Tweets
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the New York Times reported "Secretary of Commerce threatened to fire top employees at NOAA on Friday after the agency's Birmingham office contradicted President Trump's claim that Hurricane Dorian might hit Alabama, according to three people familiar with the discussion." Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "I am extremely disturbed by the directive that NOAA leadership sent on September 6, which threatens the integrity and … Continue Reading
September 05, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Voices Concerns Over White House Video of Altered Hurricane Forecast Map
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to President Donald Trump questioning the contents of a video released yesterday afternoon by the White House Twitter account. In the video, the President was shown holding an out-of-date forecast of Hurricane Dorian that appeared to have been modified to suggest a forecasted impact to Alabama. "In times of emergency, the American public need to have confidence in the information being provided by the White … Continue Reading
July 31, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Introduces ARPA-E Reauthorization
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) along with Energy Subcommittee Chairman Conor Lamb (D-PA) introduced H.R. 4091, the "ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2019." H.R. 4091 would authorize a substantial increase in ARPA-E's authorization level, starting with the FY 2020 House Energy & Water Appropriations mark of $428 million, and then rising to $1 billion in FY 2024. This level is consistent with the original recommendations of the National Academies for … Continue Reading
July 20, 2019Chairwoman Johnson on the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing
(Washington, DC) - Today marks 50 years since humankind first walked upon the surface of the moon. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. "In the morning of July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin lifted off from NASA's Cape Kennedy. That day, millions watched in awe as NASA launched Apollo 11's Saturn V rocket and began the long journey to accomplish the goal set by President Kennedy less than 10 years earlier, to land a man on the … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Demands EPA Explain Removal of Formaldehyde Assessment from IRIS Program Outlook
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler demanding responses 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-cutting short reviews already in process. Despite numerous opportunities over the past five months, the EPA has failed to provide a reasonable … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019Committee Leaders Introduce Legislation to Preserve Apollo 11 Moon Landing Sites
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 3766, the "One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act" with Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics' Chairwoman Kendra Horn (D-OK) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX). This bill would require that all licenses issued by the U.S. government for space operations have requirements concerning preservation of the Apollo landing sites. The bill also contains a … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019Chairwoman Johnson Seeks Information on Implementation of FACA Executive Order
(Washington, DC) - Following President Trump's July 14, 2019, Executive Order on Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent letters to the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Oceanic and Atmospheric … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019Chairwoman Johnson’s Statement on Stalled White House Climate Panel
(Washington, DC) - According to recent media reports, the proposed White House panel within the National Security Council (NSC) that would conduct a review of climate science has been indefinitely delayed. In February 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) of the House Science, Space & Technology Committee, along with the Chairmen of the Armed Services, Energy & Commerce, and Natural Resources Committees wrote to President Trump to express concerns about the proposed panel. … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019Chairwomen Johnson and Horn React to the Reassignment of NASA’s Gerstenmaier and Hill
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) leadership reassigned Mr. William H. Gerstenmaier from his post as Associate Administrator of the Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. He will now serve as special assistant to NASA's Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard. Mr. William Hill, who served with Gerstenmaier as Deputy Associate Administrator of HEO, was also reassigned to now serve as a special advisor to NASA's Associate … Continue Reading