Ranking 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
July 14, 2015Subcommittee Discusses NOAA’s Use of Commercial Weather Data
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing titled, “Advancing Commercial Weather Data: Collaborative Efforts to Improve Forecasts, Part Two” to examine weather data policies and acquisition strategies of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Today’s hearing supplemented a prior hearing held on May 20, 2015. Testifying before the Committee was the Honorable Manson Brown, Deputy Administrator, … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015Hearing Reaffirms Congressional Commitment to the Success of the International Space Station
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Subcommittee on Space held a hearing to discuss operational challenges facing the International Space Station (ISS). In the past year the space community has experienced a number of challenges related to ISS operations, including three failed resupply launches. The subcommittee heard testimony from Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA; Mr. John Elbon, Vice President and General Manager, Space … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015Ranking Member Johnson Statement on GAO Report on Commerce Office of Inspector General
(Washington, DC) – In a new report on the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that the Commerce OIG augment its performance audits of the agency’s smaller bureaus and offices, monitor the internal control activities of its Hotline operations and develop an action plan to address the poor employee morale and employee concerns. See the full report here. See a Democratic Committee staff summary of the GAO … Continue Reading
July 09, 2015Ranking Member Johnson and Committee Democrats Recognize the Valuable Work of the EPA
(Washington, DC) - Today the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to receive testimony from the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Honorable Gina McCarthy, on the recent work of EPA on the Clean Power Plan, the Clean Water Rule, and National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “EPA’s job is as hard as it is important. For two generations, we have relied on EPA to be the one Federal … Continue Reading
July 08, 2015Joint Subcommittee Hearing Examines the OPM Data Breach
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Research and Technology and Oversight held a hearing to examine the recent data breaches at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), discuss the implications of this breach for employees, and discuss ongoing challenges for protecting information technology from future cyber-attacks. Ranking Member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) said, “Cybercrime and … Continue Reading