House Science Committee Democrats Ask Chairman to Invite EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to Testify
(Washington, DC) - Today, all sixteen Democratic Members of the Committee on Science, Space & Technology wrote a letter to Chairman Lamar Smith requesting that he invite Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to testify before the Committee. The Science Committee has jurisdiction over EPA’s scientific research; the Committee has an obligation to conduct appropriate oversight of the EPA; and issues of potential mismanagement, financial abuse, and unethical … Continue Reading
November 03, 2017SST and E&C Committee Leaders Send Letter to Administrator Pruitt Opposing Harmful Changes to EPA Scientific Advisory Panels
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Members of the Committees on Science, Space & Technology and Energy & Commerce sent a letter to Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly opposing the directive he issued imposing severe limitations on the scientific advice and expertise that the Agency’s science advisory committees may receive. The directive would bar scores of the nation’s most qualified scientists from sitting on these committees. It also … Continue Reading
October 31, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Detrimental Changes to EPA Advisory Panels
(Washington, DC) - Today, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced a new policy prohibiting scientists who receive agency funding from serving on independent science panels that advise the agency. He dismissed current science advisers who received agency grants and replaced them with industry representatives and Republican state environmental officials. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) gave the following statement. Today’s announcement by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt leaves … Continue Reading
October 26, 2017SST Committee Opens Bipartisan Investigation into Alleged Sexual Harassment by Boston University Professor
(Washington, DC) – U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) today initiated a bipartisan investigation into allegations of assault and sexual harassment against a Boston University professor who has received nearly $5.5 million in federal grants. According to media reports, the director of Boston University’s Antarctic Research Group allegedly assaulted and sexually … Continue Reading
October 24, 2017Bipartisan ARPA-E Reauthorization Garners Outpouring of Support
In September, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), introduced H.R. 3681, the ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2017. This bipartisan bill authorizes reasonable growth in funding for ARPA-E through 2022. Increased funding for ARPA-E is consistent with the strong and sustained recommendations of many respected industrial and academic institutions and organizations in recent years. The bill also includes a provision that ensures that sensitive proprietary business information collected by … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Appointed as a Conferee for National Defense Authorization Act
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) was selected to be a member of the conference committee of lawmakers designated to reconcile the House and Senate variations of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018. The portions of the legislation that Ranking Member Johnson will be negotiating include the commercialization of innovative federal technologies and successful small business research and development efforts, in addition to … Continue Reading
October 10, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Condemns Repeal of Clean Power Plan
(Washington, DC) -Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposal to eliminate the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan. This follows an executive order signed in March 2017 ordering the EPA to review the landmark climate change rule, as well as a decision by the Trump Administration to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. “I am profoundly saddened that the … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017Facts Contradict Science Committee Majority’s Attack on NOAA’s Climate Scientists
(Washington, DC) - On Sunday, the British tabloid The Mail on Sunday, was forced to publish an “adverse adjudication” against it by the Independent Press Standards Organization (IPSO), the independent regulator of the British newspaper and magazine industry, regarding a climate change story it published on February 5, 2017, by controversial reporter David Rose. The article, with the original online headline: Exposed: How world leaders were duped into investing billions over manipulated global … Continue Reading
September 06, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Bipartisan ARPA-E Reauthorization
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 3681, the ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2017. This bipartisan bill authorizes reasonable growth in funding for ARPA-E through 2022. Increased funding for ARPA-E is consistent with the strong and sustained recommendations of many respected industrial and academic institutions and organizations in recent years. The bill also includes a provision which ensures that sensitive proprietary business information … Continue Reading
September 06, 2017Science Board Applauds EPA’s IRIS Program Ahead of Committee Hearing
(Washington, DC) - Last Friday, the members of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt praising the progress made by EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program over the past several years. “The changes are so extensive and positive that they constitute a virtual reinvention of IRIS,” wrote the Chair of the SAB, Dr. Peter Thorne. The IRIS program provides critical risk assessments of chemicals, such as … Continue Reading
August 08, 2017Ranking Members Johnson, Bonamici, and Beyer Respond to Draft Climate Science Report
(Washington, DC) - Following President Trump’s formal communication to the United Nations last Friday of the United States’ intent to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement, the New York Times yesterday released a draft of the Climate Science Special Report, an authoritative assessment of the science of climate change, which provides the scientific foundation for the Fourth National Climate Assessment. This special report, due for final publication this fall, is a stand-alone report … Continue Reading
July 21, 2017Ranking Members Johnson, Beyer, and Bonamici Request Information from Administrator Pruitt on Proposed “Red Team - Blue Team” Exercise
(Washington, DC) - Democratic leaders of the House Science, Space, & Technology Committee sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt today requesting that he provide more information on his proposed “red team-blue team” exercise, where the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change would be debated. The letter was signed by Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Science, Space & Technology Committee; Donald S. Beyer … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on House Vote to Establish Apollo 1 Memorial
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives voted to establish a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the crew of the Apollo 1 mission, who perished in a spacecraft fire 50 years ago. It was included as an amendment by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) in H.R. 2810, the “National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2018” (NDAA). The House approved NDAA this morning by a vote of 344-81. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson made the following statement after the … Continue Reading
June 26, 2017Ranking Members Johnson, Bonamici, and Beyer Request Investigation into EPA Interference with Environmental Scientist’s Testimony to Committee
(Washington, DC) – Democratic leaders of the House Science, Space, & Technology Committee sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Inspector General (IG) yesterday requesting that he investigate potentially illegal attempts by senior EPA officials, particularly Ryan T. Jackson, the EPA’s Chief of Staff, to interfere with Democratic witness, Dr. Deborah Swackhamer’s, testimony to the Science Committee last month. The Members also sent a separate … Continue Reading
June 14, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on DOE Release of All FY 2016 ARPA-E Funds
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Department of Energy announced that it will release the remainder of FY 2016 funds previously frozen for over thirty competitively selected Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) awardees. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-TX), statement is below. “It greatly concerned me when I learned that the Administration was unjustifiably withholding funds from dozens of competitively selected ARPA-E awardees, arguably violating the … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on Announcement the President is Pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement
(Washington, DC) - Today, President Trump announced that he is pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-TX), response is below. “When the U.S. signed onto the Paris climate agreement, I spoke of how I was proud that we were taking a leadership role in protecting our environment and preserving our planet for generations to come. Today, I am not proud. I am saddened and embarrassed that this country will not be working in coordination with … Continue Reading
May 25, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Introduces STEM Opportunities Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 2653, the STEM Opportunities Act of 2017. The legislation is similar to legislation she has introduced several Congresses in a row, including H.R. 467 in the 114th Congress. Ranking Member Johnson said, “The need for full engagement in STEM by women and underrepresented minorities goes beyond enabling individuals to fulfill their dreams of becoming a scientist. Our economic future relies on what we do now … Continue Reading
May 23, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Statement on President Trump’s FY18 Budget
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, President Trump released his FY18 budget proposal. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. “With this budget request, President Trump has made it very clear that he has no intention of prioritizing investments in the R&D that drives our economy, keeps our nation competitive, and protects the environment and public health. This ill-conceived budget request would make a devastating 36% cut to the Department of Energy’s science … Continue Reading
May 18, 2017Democratic Committee Leaders Request Information on the Dismissal of Members of the EPA Board of Scientific Counselors
(Washington, DC) - Democratic leaders of the Science, Space & Technology Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt today expressing concerns and raising questions about the recent dismissal of nine members of the EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors. The letter was signed by Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Responds to EPA Settlement Decision Regarding Proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska
(Washington, DC) -Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pebble Limited Partnership, the subsidiary of the foreign-owned mining company Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., reached a settlement agreement regarding the company’s litigation against the Agency. The settlement will permit the company to apply for a federal mining permit for its proposed massive open-pit gold and copper mine at the heart of Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the largest natural sockeye salmon fishery in the … Continue Reading