Ranking Members Johnson, Pallone, Cummings, Grijalva Urge Inspectors General to Protect Scientists and Data
(Washington, DC) -Today House Ranking Members, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee; Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-6) of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Elijah J. Cummings (MD-7) of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee; and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-3) of the Natural Resources Committee, wrote a letter to the Inspectors General of the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, Department of Health & … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017Reps. Tonko, Johnson, Tsongas, Lowenthal Introduce Bill to Protect Scientific Integrity in Federal Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Science Committee members Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), along with Representatives Niki Tsongas (MA-3) and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), announced the introduction of the Scientific Integrity Act requiring U.S. federal agencies to adopt or strengthen policies to insulate government-directed research from the influence of political pressure and special interests. The bill was introduced with a total of 77 original … Continue Reading
February 28, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Statement Ahead of President Trump’s Address
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement regarding President Trump’s budget blueprint ahead of his address this evening to a joint session of Congress. “Though the details on the President’s proposed budget are few and far between, one thing that we know is that non-defense discretionary spending will be slashed. Non-defense discretionary spending includes the bulk of our R&D, education, and innovation programs. It is the spending that helps … Continue Reading
February 24, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Alerts Administrator Pruitt of Environmental Repercussions of Pebble Mine
(Washington, DC) -Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Scott Pruitt, to underline the known environmental impacts of developing the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Earlier this week, Chairman Lamar Smith made a recommendation to the Administrator to rescind the EPA’s 2014 decision to use Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to limit the development of the proposed mine. Canadian owned mining … Continue Reading
February 17, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Confirmation of Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator
(Washington, DC) -Today, the Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) issued the following statement: "There's not much that can be said in opposition to Scott Pruitt as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator that hasn't already been said by scores of environmentalists, former EPA employees, and my Democratic colleagues in the Senate. Mr. Pruitt is unfit to be the leader of EPA, the … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on Chairman’s Re-Issuance of Subpoenas to NY & MA Attorneys General
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee re-issued subpoenas to the New York and Massachusetts Attorney Generals. The New York and Massachusetts AG Offices are investigating potential fraud by ExxonMobil related to the alleged efforts by company executives to hide from their shareholders scientific data that identified the reality of climate change. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) issued the following statement: “These misguided … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Response to Majority Criticism of Minority’s Cybersecurity Oversight Request
(Washington, DC) - Today, during the Research and Technology Subcommittee hearing, “Strengthening U.S. Cybersecurity Capabilities”, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement in response to statements made by Majority staff in an article in The Hill yesterday and submitted the documents below for the record. The statements were made in response to a letter sent by Ranking Member Johnson, Congressman Beyer, and Congressman Lipinski regarding President Trump’s … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017Ranking Member Beyer’s Statement in Response to Majority Criticism of Minority’s Cybersecurity Oversight Request
(Washington, DC) - Today, during the Research and Technology Subcommittee hearing, “Strengthening U.S. Cybersecurity Capabilities”, Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) made the following statement and submitted documents for the record in response to statements made by Majority staff in an article in The Hill yesterday and in a Majority letter. The statements and letter were issued in response to a letter sent by Ranking Member Johnson, Congressman Beyer, … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017Democrats Announce Subcommittee Assignments and Ranking Members
(Washington, DC) - Last night, the Democratic Caucus of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology elected a Vice Ranking Member and Subcommittee Ranking Members. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “The Committee faced an unprecedented series of challenges in the 114th Congress, and I am honored to again be entrusted with the task of defending our nation’s scientific integrity. Despite many partisan battles last Congress, the Committee managed to pass some bipartisan … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017Ranking Member Johnson, Congressman Beyer and Congressman Lipinski Ask Committee Republicans to Look into President Trump’s Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Practices
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), and Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) requested that Committee Republicans investigate the numerous cybersecurity vulnerabilities and careless cybersecurity practices of President Trump and his senior White House staff. Only three weeks into his tenure, numerous media stories have already reported that President Trump and his Press Secretary’s official Twitter accounts are linked to private, … Continue Reading
February 08, 2017Republicans Cite Tabloid Story in Attacking NOAA Climate Science, Story Falls Apart within Days, Republicans Double Down
(Washington, DC) - On Sunday, Chairman Smith issued a press release making accusations against former NOAA climate scientists based on an article in the British tabloid The Daily Mail. This tabloid article made reference to accusations by Dr. John Bates, recently retired principal scientist at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, regarding the “Karl study”, a climate study that showed that the rate of global warming during the last 15 years has been as fast as or faster than that seen during … Continue Reading
January 31, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s 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: “NASA’s annual Day of Remembrance is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by American men, women, and their families in the pursuit of space exploration. Today we honor the crews of the Columbia and Challenger space shuttles and Apollo … Continue Reading
January 27, 2017Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Apollo 1 Memorial Act on the 50th Anniversary of the Tragedy
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) is introducing the “Apollo 1 Memorial Act.” This bill establishes a memorial in Arlington Cemetery to honor the astronauts who died in the 1967 Apollo 1 spacecraft fire. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “The Nation’s success in human spaceflight is well documented. Unfortunately, success in human spaceflight has come at a high cost. Brave men and women have paid the ultimate cost in the name of space … Continue Reading
January 24, 2017House Passes Energy Research and Innovation Bill
(Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. House of Representatives today unanimously approved the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (H.R. 589), introduced by Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). H.R. 589 provides policy direction to the Department of Energy (DOE) on basic science research, nuclear energy research and development (R&D), research coordination and priorities, and reforms to streamline national lab management. Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): … Continue Reading
January 17, 2017Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Passing of Eugene Cernan
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement after hearing of the passing of Eugene “Gene” Cernan, Gemini and Apollo era astronaut and the last person to walk on the Moon. “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Gene Cernan. He was a NASA legend - last person to walk on the Moon, longest lunar landing flight, and a NASA ambassador. He will forever be remembered as pioneer of early space exploration with a fierce dedication to discovery and … Continue Reading
January 11, 2017Committee Introduces Bipartisan Nuclear R&D Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) today led U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) in introducing the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (H.R. 431). Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today also introduced companion legislation in the Senate chamber. Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which will … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017House Passes Bipartisan Weather Research Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today the House passed H.R. 353, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, under suspension of the rules. If enacted, H.R. 353 will improve weather research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by advancing programs and activities that will make critical investments in the nation’s observational, computing, and modeling capabilities in support of more accurate, timely, and effective weather warnings and forecasts. Congresswoman Suzanne … Continue Reading
December 27, 2016Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Passing of Vera Rubin
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement after hearing of the passing of Dr. Vera Rubin, astrophysicist who confirmed the existence of dark matter. “I was sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Vera Rubin. Her groundbreaking work as an astrophysicist changed the field. And, her work as an advocate for women in the sciences helped open doors for all those who followed in her footsteps. Her numerous awards and accolades included the National Medal … Continue Reading
December 22, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Comments on EPA Inspector General’s Report on Preservation of Text Messages
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on the EPA’s preservation of text messages. The report, which included interviews with 70 EPA staff, concluded, “We did not find instances where the EPA used text messaging to intentionally circumvent the Federal Records Act.” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “I appreciate the work of the Inspector General and I am glad this independent oversight body … Continue Reading
December 16, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Statement on the Passage of S.3804, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act
(Washington, DC) - Last Friday night, after passing the CR, the Senate passed under unanimous consent (UC’d) a number of bills, including S.3804, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA). During a House pro forma session today, the House UC’d S.3084, sending it to the President for signature. AICA began as the Senate’s bipartisan version of a “COMPETES” like bill. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-TX) statement is below. “I am pleased to support passage of S. 3084, which … Continue Reading