Ranking Member Johnson Statement on the Ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday a gathering of European nations voted and formally signed the Paris Climate Agreement. This addition brought the count to 74 countries that have ratified the accord--accounting for 58.82% of global emissions; officially exceeding the number of countries and percentage of emissions required for the pact to take effect. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered the following statement. “I am excited and proud that the Paris climate agreement has received … Continue Reading
September 29, 2016Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Research Regulations
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to raise concerns about the patchwork of federal laws, regulations, and reporting requirements that have led to greater time and resources being spent on complying with federal requirements, and to review recent recommendations made by the National Academies and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) for streamlining federal regulations on academic … Continue Reading
September 27, 2016Subcommittee Examines China’s Space Exploration Capabilities and Achievements
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing entitled, “Are We Losing the Space Race to China?” The purpose of this hearing was to discuss China’s technological advancements and increasing capabilities in space. Ranking Member of the Space Subcommittee, Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) said in her opening statement, “President John F. Kennedy stood before Congress on May 25, 1961 proposing that ‘this nation should commit itself … Continue Reading
September 23, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Apollo I Memorial Act
(Washington, DC) - Last night, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 6147, the “Apollo I Memorial Act.” This bill establishes a memorial in Arlington Cemetery to honor the astronauts who died in the 1967 Apollo I spacecraft fire. In addition to Ranking Member Johnson, original cosponsors of the bill include Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) of the Committee on Veterans Affairs; Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL); Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) of the Committee on Veterans Affairs; … Continue Reading
September 21, 2016Bipartisan Astronaut Health Bill Passes Out of Committee
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of several bills, one of those bills was H.R. 6076, the “To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act” (TREAT Astronauts Act). The legislation would provide NASA with statutory authority to perform monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment for former astronauts for medical or psychological conditions that the NASA Administrator deems to be associated or potentially associated with human … Continue Reading
September 20, 2016PCAST Report Calls for Strengthening Forensic Science Legislation Addressing the Issue Introduced in the House and Senate
(Washington, DC) - Today, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a report explaining that expert evidence based on a number of forensic tools, such as bite-mark analysis and firearm analysis, lacks adequate scientific underpinnings. PCAST offers recommendations on Federal actions that could be taken to strengthen forensic science and promote its more rigorous use in the courtroom. In July, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 5795, … Continue Reading
September 15, 2016Subcommittee Democrats: EPA’s Methane Rule is a Solution to a Recognized Problem
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing titled, “A Solution in Search of a Problem: EPA’s Methane Regulations.” The purpose of this hearing was to examine the EPA’s final methane rule that aims to reduce methane emissions from new, reconstructed, and modified oil and gas sources. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide during the first 20 years … Continue Reading
September 14, 2016Democratic Members of the Committee Push Back Against Majority's "Investigation" in Defense of ExxonMobil
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine the Committee’s investigative authority with respect to the Majority’s “investigation” into state Attorneys General and environmental groups. Following a series of recent investigations by non-profit organizations and media outlets that raised questions about what the oil and gas industry internally knew about the impact fossil fuel production was having on global warming, when they … Continue Reading
September 09, 2016Ranking Member Johnson and Rep. Matt Cartwright Introduce Energy-Water Nexus Legislation
(Washington, DC) – Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced H.R. 5979, the “Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2016.” Ranking Member Johnson’s statement on the bill is below. “I first want to thank my friend, Mr. Cartwright, for joining me in introducing this legislation, which calls attention to the critical link between energy and water and instructs the Department of Energy to ensure due … Continue Reading
September 07, 2016Subcommittee Discusses Future of Commercial Remote Sensing
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the House Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, "Commercial Remote Sensing: Facilitating Innovation and Leadership." The purpose of this hearing was to examine new technologies and operational approaches of the commercial remote sensing industry and whether changes in current policies and regulations need to be considered to support the industry's developments. In 1992, the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act (P.L. 102-555) … Continue Reading
August 22, 2016Ranking Member Johnson's Response to Issuance of Subpoenas in Investigation into Clinton Email Server
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement in response to Chairman Smith issuing subpoenas as part of his “investigation” into Secretary Clinton’s email server. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-TX) statement is below. “I am outraged that the Chairman is recklessly abusing the Committee’s investigatory powers to brazenly do the bidding of the Trump campaign. I am certain that the Science Committee will not uncover any ‘smoking … Continue Reading
August 02, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on White House Commitments to Accelerate the Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(Washington, DC) - Safe integration of unmanned aircraft is challenging. It requires careful incorporation with the highly-complex network that comprises the National Airspace System which is made up of air navigation and air traffic control facilities, airports, technology, and the appropriate rules and regulations. Today, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced steps to promote the safe integration and innovative adoption of unmanned aircraft systems across … Continue Reading
July 14, 2016Committee Holds Hearing on FDIC Cybersecurity
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine the cybersecurity posture of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the agency’s prior Congressional testimony, and the agency’s responses to Committee requests for information. This is a follow-on hearing to the May 12, 2016, Oversight Subcommittee hearing entitled “FDIC Data Breaches: Can Americans Trust that Their Private Banking Information Is Secure?” Ranking Member Eddie … Continue Reading
July 13, 2016Statement in Response to the Committee’s Issuance of Subpoena
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) issued the following statement on the Chairman’s issuance of eleven subpoenas to the Massachusetts and New York attorneys general (AGs) and a number of non-governmental organizations. “We strongly condemn the Science Committee Majority’s unlawful subpoenas issued today to the New York … Continue Reading
July 13, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Response to “Ramp Up” of Investigation into Clinton Email Server
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement in response to the letters from Chairman Smith and Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, in which they “ramp up” their “investigation” into Secretary Clinton’s email server. “This action takes the Science Committee one more step down a path of increasingly ideological and partisan-driven ‘investigations.’ As I said when Chairman Smith … Continue Reading
July 12, 2016Subcommittees Discuss Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrobiology
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittees on Space and Research and Technology held a joint hearing titled "Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrobiology: An Assesment." The purpose of the hearing was to examine space and ground-based astronomy, astrophysics, and astrobiology programs, projects, and activities at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), academia, and the private sector. Ranking Member of the … Continue Reading
July 12, 2016House Passes NIST Reauthorization and other Science Committee Bills
(Washington, DC) - Last night, the House passed H.R. 5639, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016 under suspension of the rules by voice vote. The House also passed H.R. 5636, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Campus Security Act, H.R. 5640, the Electricity Storage Innovation Act, and H.R. 5638, the Solar Fuels Innovation Act under suspension of the rules. Ranking Member Johnson’s statement on H.R. 5639 is below. “I rise today in support of … Continue Reading
July 07, 2016Subcommittee Discusses NOAA Satellite Systems
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing titled, “Examining the Nation’s Current and Next Generation Weather Satellite Programs.” The purpose of this hearing was to examine the current status of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) weather satellite programs and its long-term plans for the next generation of polar and geo-stationary satellite systems. NOAA operates two complementary … Continue Reading
July 07, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Response to the Chairman’s Subpoena Threat
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement in response to the Chairman’s latest letters in which he “ramps up” his investigation into state attorneys general and environmental groups related to potential fraud investigations into the fossil fuel industry regarding climate change. “I am disappointed to see that the Chairman is continuing his illegitimate ‘investigation’ into state attorneys general and environmental groups. The … Continue Reading
June 24, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Letter on the Majority’s Illegitimate Investigation into State and Territorial Attorneys General and Environmental Groups
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Chairman Smith in response to his second letter to 17 state and territorial attorneys general and eight environmental organizations demanding documents related to potential fraud investigations into the fossil fuel industry regarding climate change. You can find the signed copy of Ranking Member Johnson’s letter here. You can find all of the relevant letters relating to this matter here, including response … Continue Reading