Committee Holds Another Hearing to Attack EPA
(Washington, DC) - Today, The Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ms. Gina McCarthy testified before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The ostensible purpose of the hearing was to examine EPA’s recent regulatory agenda, the scientific and technical justification for these regulations, and these regulations’ impacts on the American people, but the de facto purpose was to provide another venue for the Majority to attack the actions of both the Agency … Continue Reading
June 16, 2016Subcommittee Discusses SBIR and STTR Programs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to review the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the role the programs play in the mission of federal science agencies, and to examine the process for moving federally funded research and development results to the private sector and into the marketplace. The SBIR Program was first authorized in … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016Subcommittee Discusses Healthcare for Former Astronauts
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Human Spaceflight Ethics and Obligations: Options for Monitoring, Diagnosing, and Treating Former Astronauts.” The purpose of this hearing was to discuss potential development of a statutory change that would allow the National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA) to perform comprehensive care for active and former astronauts. According to NASA, medical experts have … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016Committee Examines DOE Basic Energy Sciences Program
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Innovation in Solar Fuels, Electricity Storage, and Advanced Materials.” This hearing examined the research and development activities of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Basic Energy Science (BES) program. BES supports five light sources, two neutron scattering facilities, and five nanoscale research centers. In addition to this unique set of user … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Republicans’ Wrong Way Anti-Science Economic Agenda
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Speaker Paul Ryan released the economy portion of Republicans’ “A Better Way” agenda. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement addressing the pieces of the agenda that touch on issues before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. “It is glaring that for an agenda that talks about a ‘better way to grow our economy’, it says not one word about investing in the R&D that spurs innovation. Perhaps this is not surprising in … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Attends United State of Women Summit Workshop
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson attended a United State of Women Summit workshop hosted by the Department of Energy, “Crafting the Big Picture: Empowering Women and Girls in STEM.” Ranking Member Johnson’s prepared remarks are below. “Thank you to the Department of Energy and to Amber Haggins for inviting me to participate in your Forum this morning. “I am so pleased that you are having this gathering. You all understand how important it is for us to continue to … Continue Reading
June 14, 2016House Passes Networking Information Technology R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5312. H.R. 5312 - the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016 - (Passed by a vote of 385 to 7 under suspension of the rules) The NITRD Program grew out of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) Act of 1991. The HPC Act established a framework for interagency coordination, management, and review of the Program (which was later renamed NITRD), and included specific agency guidance … Continue Reading
June 14, 2016House Passes NSF Facilities Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5049 - the NSF Major Research Facility Reform Act of 2016 - (Passed by a vote of 412 to 9 under suspension of the rules). The bill establishes certain cost management procedures for NSF’s major facilities projects. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson said, “The intent of this bill is a good one. It is to ensure proper oversight and accountability for the National Science Foundation’s investments in major research facilities. … Continue Reading
June 08, 2016Subcommittee Emphasizes Importance of National Weather Service
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing titled, “Private Sector Weather Forecasting: Assessing Products and Technologies.” The purpose of this hearing was to discuss how the ongoing partnership between the National Weather Service (NWS), academic institutions, and the private weather industry may evolve to meet the diverse needs of the public. NWS provides core support for weather collecting industries by … Continue Reading
June 03, 2016State Attorneys General, Environmental Groups, and Democratic Members Respond to Majority’s Latest Attack on Climate Science
(Washington, DC) - Last month, 13 Republican Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology sent letters to 17 state attorneys general (AGs) and eight environmental organizations requesting documents related to their work on misinformation regarding climate change. The AGs and environmental groups have begun sending responses. Congressional leaders from Virginia, Maryland, and DC - Reps. Edwards, Norton, Van Hollen, Connolly, and Scott - joined Rep. Beyer, Ranking Member of … Continue Reading
May 26, 2016Subcommittee Democrats Emphasize Benefits of Clean Power Plan
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to further examine the legality and effectiveness of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan. This is the fifth hearing called by the Majority within the past twelve months to criticize the Clean Power Plan. Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee, Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), said in her opening statement, “The Clean Power Plan builds on the … Continue Reading
May 26, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Selected as a Conferee for Major Energy Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) was appointed as a member of the conference committee of lawmakers selected to reconcile the House and Senate versions of major energy legislation. Ranking Member Johnson will be negotiating the portions of the legislation that fall under the Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s jurisdiction, primarily research, development, and demonstration activities carried out by the Department of Energy (DOE). Ranking Member Johnson … Continue Reading
May 25, 2016Committee Discusses Scientific and Ecological Aspects of the Zika Virus
(Washington, DC) – Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled, “The Science of Zika: The DNA of an Epidemic.” The Zika virus is typically spread to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aeqypti mosquito. Although the mosquito is the primary way people become infected with Zika, the virus can also be spread through sexual contact, from mother to fetus, and potentially through blood transfusions. Globally, since 2007, the Zika virus has … Continue Reading
May 24, 2016Committee Marks Up NITRD Reauthorization
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Modernization Act. The bill was negotiated in a bipartisan manner and passed the Committee by a bipartisan voice vote. The NITRD Program grew out of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) Act of 1991. The HPC Act established a framework for interagency coordination, management, and review of the Program (which was later … Continue Reading
May 19, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Majority Letters to State Attorneys General and Environmental Groups
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, 13 Republican Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology sent letters to 17 state attorneys general and eight environmental organizations requesting documents related to their work on misinformation regarding climate change. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered the following statement: “I have just received copies of the letters and want to review them before making any extended comment. However, I find it ironic that … Continue Reading
May 18, 2016Subcommittee Discusses Future of Deep Space Habitats on Mars
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Next Steps to Mars: Deep Space Habitats.” Deep space habitats are one critical element needed to achieve the goal of sending humans to Mars. This hearing focused on both the challenges and opportunities related to the development of habitats for deep space, as well as the importance of public interest in Mars and the humans-to-Mars goal. This is the second subcommittee … Continue Reading
May 17, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Nation's Report Card for Technology and Engineering Literacy
(Washington, DC) - Today, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released results of the first Nation's Report Card: Technology and Engineering Literacy. The assessment measured how students use and evaluate technology and principles of engineering to solve real-world problems. Students were also asked where and how they developed the skills they were using on the assessment. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered following statement. “I am pleased that NAEP will … Continue Reading
May 12, 2016Subcommittee Examines FDIC Data Breaches
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing to examine recent data breaches at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), two of which occurred in October 2015 and February 2016, and to examine broader issues surrounding the FDIC’s cybersecurity posture. The FDIC is the insurer of more than 4,100 U.S. institutions with assets of more than $2.6 trillion dollars. FDIC insures deposits, supervises financial … Continue Reading
May 12, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on EPA’s Finalized Methane Rules
(Washington, DC) - Earlier today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released three final rules to reduce methane pollution. These standards aim at reducing millions of metric tons of methane emissions and smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new, modified, and reconstructed sources in the oil and gas industry. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered the following statement on the rules: “I am pleased that the Administration has finalized new methane rules. … Continue Reading
May 11, 2016Committee Discusses Fossil Energy R&D Priorities
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the research and development activities of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE). FE’s research focuses on reducing the environmental impacts of fossil fuel extraction and utilization. Testifying before the Committee was the Honorable Chris Smith, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. Ranking Member Alan Grayson … Continue Reading