Committee Democrats: “We can have a strong economy and a clean environment”
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held its third hearing this year examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, a primary component of smog. Democratic Members of the Committee emphasized the strong scientific evidence in support of EPA’s decision to lower the standard to 70 parts per billion, including the thousands of studies used by the Agency in setting the new standard. They … Continue Reading
October 22, 2015Cleaning the Air and Protecting Public Health with EPA’s New Ozone Standard
(Washington, DC) - A compilation of public comments on the EPA's new ozone rule, assembled by Democratic staff, shows near universal support by the public health and medical community for the EPA's efforts to lower the levels of ozone pollution. "Cleaning the Air: A Selection of Public Comments on the EPA’s New Ozone Rule,” provides a snapshot of the public’s wide-ranging support for the new EPA rule released on October 1, 2015. Major national medical organizations, including the American … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson and L’Oréal to Discuss Challenges and Opportunities for Women in STEM
(Washington, DC) - Tomorrow, October 22, 2015, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson will be speaking at the L’Oréal panel discussion for leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. STEM fellows from American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the 2015 L’Oréal USA for Women in Science programs will partake in the panel discussion. The participants will share experiences and discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM. There will also … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015Subcommittees Discuss Electric Power Grid Cybersecurity
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Energy and Research and Technology held a hearing to examine efforts by federal agencies, industry and the Department of Energy national labs to mitigate cybersecurity threats to U.S. power systems, and to specifically explore solutions to mitigate threats that were identified in the joint Energy and Oversight Subcommittee hearing entitled Examining Vulnerabilities of America’s Power Supply held … Continue Reading
October 16, 2015ICYMI – The Hill: EPA Right to Go After Methane
The EPA recently proposed to reduce methane emissions from one of its largest sources -- the oil and gas industry. Methane is more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its greenhouse gas effects and as such, cutting methane emissions is critical to addressing climate change. This proposal is one piece of the broader effort we need to ensure our children and grandchildren have a healthy environment and vibrant future in the face of climate change. As a Texan, I know both the … Continue Reading
October 14, 2015Ranking Member Johnson Commends 2015 Nobel Laureates
(Washington, DC) - Recently, the 2015 Nobel Prize was awarded to researchers in the fields of chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, and economics for their valuable contributions to the sciences. The list of Honored Laureates consists of: Dr. Thomas Lindahl, Chemistry Dr. Paul Modrich, Chemistry Dr. Aziz Sancar, Chemistry Dr. Takaaki Kajita, Physics Dr. Arthur B. McDonald, Physics Dr. William C. Campbell, Physiology or Medicine Dr. Statoshi ?mura, Physiology or Medicine Dr. Youyou Tu, … Continue Reading
October 09, 2015Subcommittee Discusses Deep Space Exploration
(Washington, DC) – Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Deep Space Exploration: Examining the Impact of the President’s Budget.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the Administration’s management of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew vehicle development programs. The hearing also evaluated NASA’s plans for future major tests and milestones and how the budget requested by … Continue Reading
October 08, 2015Committee Marks Up Dyslexia Research and NSF Grant Review Process Bills
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R. 3033, the Research Excellence and Advancements for Dyslexia (READ) Act, and H.R. 3293, the Scientific Research in the National Interest Act. H.R. 3033 would require a line item in the annual Congressional budget request to Congress for the Research in Disabilities Education program at NSF. Additionally, the bill would require NSF to devote at least $5 million a year to dyslexia research, … Continue Reading
September 30, 2015Committee Discusses Dyslexia Research Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to review H.R. 3033, the Research Excellence and Advancements for Dyslexia (READ) Act. H.R. 3033 would require a line item in the annual Congressional budget request to Congress for the Research in Disabilities Education program at NSF. Additionally, the bill would require NSF to devote at least $5 million a year to dyslexia research, including in the areas of early identification; professional … Continue Reading
September 29, 2015Committee Assesses Progress in the Search for Life beyond Earth
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to review the current state of the science related to the search for life in the universe. Testifying before the Committee were Dr. Ellen Stofan, Chief Scientist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Professor, Director of Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University; Dr. Jacob Bean, Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of … Continue Reading
September 18, 2015Joint Subcommittee Hearing Examines Concerns Over Management of the NSF’s National Ecological Observatory Network
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Research & Technology and Oversight held a hearing to discuss the management of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), a major research facility under construction by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The hearing focused on a recently projected $80 million cost overrun to the $433 million project. The project will be kept within budget by a de-scoping plan initiated by NSF and … Continue Reading
September 11, 2015Subcommittee Democrats Stress Importance of Clean Power Plan and Taking Action Now
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to understand the perspective of States on the final Clean Power Plan rule released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on August 3, 2015. According to EPA, the Clean Power Plan will reduce carbon emissions by 32% by the year 2030. Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) of the Environment Subcommittee said, “The mission of EPA is important yet simple - to protect … Continue Reading
September 10, 2015Subcommittees Hold Hearing on Electric Grid Vulnerabilities
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Oversight and Energy held a hearing titled, “Examining Vulnerabilities of America’s Power Supply” to review and discuss the various vulnerabilities of and potential threats to the nation’s electrical grid. Members and witnesses emphasized the need for greater investments in addressing our aging energy infrastructure, microgrids, battery storage, and preventative measures that can address some of … Continue Reading
September 09, 2015Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Surface Transportation R&D Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 3458, the Connected Transportation Research and Innovation Act of 2015. The bill would reauthorize research and development activities within the Department of Transportation (DOT). The title reflects the national effort to increase implementation of intelligent transportation systems, particularly connected vehicle technology, as well as to reflect the need to move towards a more intermodal transportation … Continue Reading
September 09, 2015Committee Holds Hearing on Animas River Spill
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing on the August 5th spill of contaminated mine wastewater from the Gold King mine into the Animas River. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a team of contractors accidentally caused the release of 3 million gallons of wastewater during an exploratory effort to find solutions for remediating the flow of toxic mine wastewater into the Animas River Watershed. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Clean Power Plan
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the Clean Power Plan, a rule that will reduce carbon emissions in the United States 32 percent by 2030. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement: “I am pleased by the President’s commitment to confront the most important environmental and public health challenge of our time—climate change. The Clean Power Plan is the bold and necessary step forward our nation needs to address the … Continue Reading
July 28, 2015Committee Discusses New Accomplishments in the Exploration of the Solar System
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled “The Exploration of Our Solar System: From Mercury to Pluto and Beyond,” to review recent planetary scientific discoveries in the exploration of our solar system and to assess missions under development, including a mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. Testifying before the Committee were Dr. John Grunsfeld, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA; Dr. Alan Stern, … Continue Reading
July 23, 2015Subcommittees Discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard
(Washington, DC) - Today the Subcommittees on Energy and Oversight held a joint hearing titled, “The EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Mandate” to discuss the economic and environmental impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The RFS requires that the total amount of transportation fuel sold or introduced in the U.S. must include a minimum volume of biofuels. It was signed into law in 2005 and expanded in 2007 under the Energy Independence and Security Act. Ranking Member of the Energy … Continue Reading
July 15, 2015Chairman Chooses Political Theater over Real Oversight Related to Commerce Inspector General and the National Weather Service
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing after issuing subpoenas to two retired National Weather Service officials. The two witnesses invoked their constitutionally protected 5th Amendment right and did not answer questions. The Chairman continued to question the witnesses for several minutes on the topic after the individuals clearly invoked their 5th Amendment right. After numerous points of order from Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) contesting the … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015Ranking Member Johnson Statement on New Horizons Pluto Flyby
(Washington, DC) - Tonight, the New Horizons mission team received the probe’s “phone home” confirming the successful flyby of Pluto. Ranking Member Johnson Statement on New Horizons Pluto FlybyRanking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said: “I am elated and quite proud to congratulate NASA and the New Horizons team on a successful flyby. This has truly been a historic mission. It was exciting to see increasingly detailed images taken by New Horizons as the spacecraft approached Pluto, and … Continue Reading