Chairwomen 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
January 28, 2020House 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