Ranking 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
April 27, 2016Ranking Member Johnson Releases Staff Report on Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay
(Washington, DC) - Today, during a hearing titled, “Examining EPA’s Predetermined Efforts to Block the Pebble Mine - Part II,” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), released a staff report, The Pebble Promise in Bristol Bay: Assessing Potential Environmental Harm and Evaluating the Tactics of Pebble Limited Partnership’s Plans to Build One of the World’s Largest Open-Pit Copper and Gold Mines in Bristol Bay, Alaska. This is the third hearing the Committee has held on this topic. Pebble … Continue Reading
April 27, 2016Committee Marks Up NSF Facilities Management Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R. 5049, the “NSF Research Facility Reform Act of 2016”. The bill passed out of Committee by voice vote. The bill establishes certain cost management procedures for NSF’s major facilities projects. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-TX) statement is below. “Thank you Chairman Smith for holding today’s markup of the NSF Major Research Facility Reform Act of 2016. I also want to … Continue Reading
April 25, 2016Ranking Member Daniel Lipinski’s Statement on GAO Vehicle Cyber Security Report
(Washington, DC) –In a new report on vehicle cybersecurity, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that the Department of Transportation (DOT) clarify and document its roles and responsibilities in response to a vehicle cyberattack involving safety-critical systems, including how it would coordinate with other federal agencies and stakeholders in the response. See the full report here. See a summary here. The report, “DOT and Industry Have Efforts … Continue Reading
April 22, 2016Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s Statement on the Formal Signing of Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day
(Washington, DC) - The historic Paris climate agreement is expected to be signed by over 160 countries today in a ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The signing ceremony, which coincides with the celebration of Earth Day, will be attended by over 50 world leaders. It is notable that Secretary of State John Kerry, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of China, and Environmental Minister Prakash Javadekar of India will participate in the ceremony, representing the world’s three … Continue Reading
April 20, 2016Subcommittee Explores the Future of Fusion Energy
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing titled, “An Overview of Fusion Energy Science.” The purpose of this hearing was to examine the status of fusion energy research, including the ITER international fusion project. ITER is a collaboration of 35 nations working to build the world’s largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device, in southern France. This device has been designed to prove the potential for fusion to serve as … Continue Reading