Committee Celebrates Detection of Gravitational Waves
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing titled Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe: Gravitational Waves. This hearing was held to celebrate the successful detection of gravitational waves at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatories (LIGO). This discovery was a century in the making, helping to confirm Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity and opening a new window to the universe. Testifying before the Committee, today, … Continue Reading
February 12, 2016Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Detection of Gravitational Waves
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, David Reitze, executive director of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), publicly announced that gravitational waves have successfully been detected. Scientists, up until this point, could only use electromagnetic waves, including visible light, to probe the wonders of the universe. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered the following statement on the announcement: “I am delighted to congratulate all of the scientists, … Continue Reading
February 12, 2016Democratic Members of the Science Committee Call on GAO to Investigate California Methane Gas Leak and Pipeline Infrastructure Issues
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Democratic Members of the Committee on Science, Space & Technology sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that they examine safety, oversight, and public health issues related to the massive methane gas leak at the Southern California Gas Company’s (SoCalGas) underground natural gas storage facility in Los Angeles, California. The letter also asks GAO to review issues related to pipeline leak detection capabilities, technical … Continue Reading
February 11, 2016Republicans Sabotage Bipartisan FAA R&D Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R 4489, the “FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act.” Prior to the markup, a bipartisan agreement had been reached on the bill. However, the Majority dumped a number of amendments, which the Chairman supported, on the Minority the night before, after close of business, that sabotaged his own bipartisan agreement. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) then … Continue Reading
February 10, 2016House Passes Bill to Politicize Grant Making at the National Science Foundation
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House passed H.R. 3293, the Republicans’ “Scientific Research in the National Interest Act,” requiring the National Science Foundation to publicly justify every research award according to how it meets specific, Republican-proposed criteria for benefiting the national interest. The bill passed by a vote of 236 – 178. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said of H.R. 3293 in her floor statement, “At its core, this bill is … Continue Reading
February 10, 2016Committee Democrats Examine Public Health and Economic Benefits of Federal Regulations
(Washington, DC) - Today the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled, “Midnight Regulations: Examining Executive Branch Overreach.” This hearing was another attempt by the Majority to criticize President Obama, and suggest that his Administration is heavy handed; careless; and is in a rush to implement politically motivated regulations. Democrats took this opportunity to explore the environmental and public health benefits that have resulted from the President’s … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the President’s FY2017 Budget Request
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered the following statement after the release of the President’s FY2017 Budget. “As in past years, the President’s Budget will help ensure that the U.S. can compete in a 21st Century global economy and solidify America’s place as a scientific and technological leader. The investments in the full range R&D and STEM including advanced manufacturing research, prioritizing basic research, investing in clean transportation and civil … Continue Reading
February 04, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Introduces FAA R&D Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 4464, the Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2016. The bill aims to ensure that federal research and development in support of civil aviation remains at the forefront of addressing challenges confronting the Nation’s air transportation system. The Science, Space, and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over the R&D portions of the larger FAA Reauthorization legislation … Continue Reading
February 04, 2016Subcommittees Consider Recommendations for NSF Project Management Reform
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Research & Technology and Oversight held a joint hearing entitled, “A Review of Recommendations for NSF Project Management Reform.” The goal of this hearing was to review recommendations made by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) in their recent report, National Science Foundation Use of Cooperative Agreements to Support Large Scale Investment in Research. Several years ago, the National … Continue Reading
February 03, 2016Subcommittee Stresses the Need for a Solid Plan for Getting Humans to Mars
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Charting a Course: Expert Perspectives on Human Exploration Proposals.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the possible options for various architectures and intermediate steps to develop the capabilities and skills necessary to land humans on Mars while maintaining constancy of purpose through the next presidential administration. Testifying before the … Continue Reading
February 02, 2016Democrats Explore Economic and Health Benefits Made Possible by the Paris Climate Agreement
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled, “Paris Climate Promise: A Bad Deal for America.” This hearing is a follow-up to a December 1, 2015 hearing titled “Pitfalls of Unilateral Negotiations at the Paris Climate Change Conference.” The hearing served as another forum for the Majority to continue their attacks against the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan, the well-established science of climate change, and the legal … Continue Reading
January 30, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Computer Science for All
(Dallas, TX) - Today, in his weekly address, President Obama announced the Computer Science for All initiative, a plan to "empower a generation of American students with the computer skills they need to thrive in a digital economy." Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said the following. "I was excited to hear the announcement about Computer Science for All. "The importance of computer science education cannot be overstated. The current disconnect between the high demand for … Continue Reading
January 28, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on NASA’s 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.” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) issued the following statement: “As NASA employees, contractors, and partners in the academic community gather on January 28th to pay tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, a tribute particularly significant this year in light of the … Continue Reading
January 20, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Announcement that 2015 was the Warmest Year on Record
(Dallas, TX) - Today, NASA and NOAA announced that, “The globally averaged temperature, over land and ocean surfaces for 2015, was the highest since record keeping began in 1880.” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said the following. “Today’s announcements by NOAA and NASA that 2015 was the warmest year on record and that 16 of the hottest years have occurred over the past two decades should come as no surprise to anyone, but they should be a wake-up call that we need to take action. … Continue Reading
January 17, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Comments on Launch of Jason-3 Satellite
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Jason-3 Mission successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Jason-3 is the extension of an international partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Jason-3 will continue observations of global sea surface height that … Continue Reading
January 14, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Chairman’s Letters Regarding Clinton Server
(Dallas, TX) - Today, Chairman Smith (R-TX) sent letters to a number of companies that provided software and services to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton related to her private email server, requesting, as he says in his press release, “all documents and communications related to Secretary Clinton’s private server as well as information about any security breaches that may have occurred during her tenure.” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement in … Continue Reading
January 12, 2016Committee Approves Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Bill
(Washington, DC) - The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology today approved the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (H.R. 4084), a bipartisan bill to support federal research and development (R&D) and stimulate private investment in advanced nuclear reactor technologies in the United States. The bill was introduced by Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber (R-Texas) along with Full Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). The … Continue Reading
January 08, 2016Subcommittees Discuss Best Cybersecurity Practices
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Subcommittee on Research and Technology and the Subcommittee on Oversight held a joint hearing titled, “Cybersecurity: What the Federal Government Can Learn from the Private Sector,” to discuss cybersecurity practices and potential opportunities for public-private partnerships. This hearing was called in part as a response to breaches at federal agencies including those at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). There have also been significant recent private … Continue Reading
December 19, 2015Ranking Member Johnson Statement on President’s Veto of Anti-Climate Change Resolutions
(Dallas,TX) - Today, President Obama vetoed S.J. Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24, resolutions that would have nullified regulations on new and existing power plants. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said: “The President made clear that he would veto S.J. Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24, the joint resolutions that Congressional Republicans passed to undermine the President during the Paris climate change negotiations and to undercut the EPA’s efforts to protect the health of the public and the … Continue Reading
December 12, 2015Ranking Member Johnson Statement on Paris Climate Accord
(Washington, DC) - Today, a landmark climate accord was reached by nearly 200 countries to lower greenhouse gas emissions to help avoid the worst effects of climate change. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said: “I am excited to hear the news coming out of Paris that an agreement has been reached by nearly 200 countries on a climate accord. Despite some disagreement over whether the accord does too much or not enough, the importance of this step cannot be underestimated. Today, the … Continue Reading