Ranking Member Johnson Comments on U.S.-China Deal to Cut Emissions
(Washington, D.C.) - Following the announcement of a deal between the U.S. and China that would set a new target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement: "I was very pleased to hear about the agreement between the U.S. And China to cut carbon emissions. This is a true game changer for climate change mitigation efforts. I commend the President and his team on their work and I look forward to learning more about the … Continue Reading
November 11, 2014Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus
(Washington, DC) - Today, President Barack Obama announced that the Presidential Medal of Freedom will be awarded to Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus. Dr. Dresselhaus is a professor of physics and electrical engineering at MIT and is widely considered one of the most prominent physicists, electrical engineers, and material scientists of her generation. Her work led to a greater understanding of condensed matter systems and the atomic properties of carbon, in addition to providing key advances in … Continue Reading
November 03, 2014Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Release of the IPCC Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report
(Washington, DC) - Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the final part of the Fifth Assessment Report, the Synthesis Report. The Synthesis Report brings together the finding of the reports of the three working groups, and two special reports. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “This IPCC assessment sends a stark message to our nation’s leaders and the international community, namely: the adverse effects of climate change are evident today and … Continue Reading
October 29, 2014Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Failed Antares Launch
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement regarding the failure of the Antares rocket launch yesterday. “While I am disappointed that yesterday's launch of Orbital's resupply mission to the International Space Station was unsuccessful, I am thankful that no one was hurt. It is also my understanding that there are sufficient supplies on the ISS so that our astronauts are not at any risk from yesterday's loss. Yesterday's launch failure is … Continue Reading
September 18, 2014Committee Discusses Research to Support Individuals with Dyslexia
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to discuss research related to dyslexia and the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia. The Committee heard testimony from two panels. The first panel consisted of the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, Science Committee Member Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “This hearing demonstrates how important it is to fund … Continue Reading
September 17, 2014Political Theater in the Science Committee: Majority Authorizes Subpoenas for Documents and Testimony Already Promised by White House
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Oversight held a business meeting to issue subpoenas to the White House for documents and testimony related to the former Chief Technology Officer at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the development of Healthcare.gov. In a party-line vote of 4-3, the Majority authorized the subpoenas. Ironically, just the day before, the Counsel to the President pledged to provide … Continue Reading
September 17, 2014Science Committee Democrats Call for Immediate Action to Combat Climate Change - Republicans Continue Denial of Climate Science
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to discuss the Administration’s Climate Action Plan with a focus on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposals to cut carbon emissions. The hearing was titled, “The Administration’s Climate Plan: Failure by Design.” The Full Committee heard testimony from Dr. John Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President and Ms. Janet McCabe, … Continue Reading
September 16, 2014Ranking Member Johnson comments on American Academy of Arts & Sciences Report on the Nation’s Research Investments
(Washington, DC) - The American Academy of Arts & Sciences released a report today titled, “Restoring the Foundation - The Vital Role of Research in Preserving the American Dream.” The report details how the U.S. is currently falling behind in global R&D investments and it argues for renewed national commitment to reversing this trend. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology released the following statement: “Today we heard again about the … Continue Reading
September 16, 2014Science Committee Democrats Congratulate Boeing and SpaceX on NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Awards
(Washington, DC) - Today, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected Boeing and SpaceX to continue the development, test, and certification activities needed before the agency can eventually select a provider or providers for commercial crew transportation services to the International Space Station (ISS). Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said of the awards: “I want to congratulate Boeing and SpaceX on receiving these awards. With the Shuttle fleet … Continue Reading
September 16, 2014House Passes Manufacturing and Innovation Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (RAMI). “In every corner of our country, the transformation of the manufacturing industry is creating jobs and expanding access to opportunity for millions of Americans,” said Congressman Kennedy (D-MA). “Today’s bipartisan passage of RAMI by the House of Representatives is another step towards the kind of domestic manufacturing policy our country needs to stay on … Continue Reading
September 10, 2014Subcommittee Discusses NASA’s Planetary Science
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing to review numerous issues facing planetary exploration of the solar system and to discuss H.R. 5063, the American Space Technology for Exploring Resource Opportunities in Deep Space (ASTEROIDS) Act. The bill concerns space property rights related to asteroid mining. Ranking Member Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) said in her opening statement, “The accomplishments in planetary science … Continue Reading
September 09, 2014Subcommittees Hold Hearing to Discuss Safety of Transporting Bakken Crude Oil
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the characteristics of Bakken crude oil. The hearing follows a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) report released in July 2014 that detailed the characteristics of various types of crude oil, including volatility, which is a material’s propensity to vaporize. The subcommittees heard from two panels. The first panel … Continue Reading
September 09, 2014Joint Committee Hearing Examines Changes Needed at DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology and the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies held a hearing to review the strategy, mission, programs, projects, and other activities of the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS S&T) and to examine other research and development (R&D) activities at … Continue Reading
September 08, 2014House Passes Tsunami Warning and Super Computing Bills
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5309 and H.R. 2495. H.R. 5309 - The Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014 - reauthorizes and strengthens the tsunami detection, forecast, warning, research, and mitigation program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee, Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), author of H.R. 5309, said of her legislation, “So much of our ability to prepare, respond, and … Continue Reading
August 26, 2014Bipartisan Letter to Commerce IG Todd Zinser Warns Him Not to Target Whistleblowers
(Washington, DC) - Today, Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, along with Chairman Paul Broun (R-GA) and Ranking Member Dan Maffei (D-NY) of the Oversight Subcommittee, sent a letter to the Department of Commerce’s Inspector General (IG) Todd Zinser, after receiving multiple allegations about ongoing efforts within the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to identify and potentially retaliate against … Continue Reading
July 31, 2014Subcommittees Highlight the Need for Better Planning and Coordination of the Department of Homeland Security’s Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research & Technology and Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing to examine expert recommendations on how the Department of Homeland Security can optimize its research and development efforts on border security technologies. The subcommittee Members focused on what the Department needs to do improve the transition of these technologies to the field. Testifying before the Committee were David … Continue Reading
July 31, 2014Science Committee Members Introduce Bipartisan Tsunami Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee, Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) introduced H.R. 5309, the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014. Full Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and are original cosponsors of the legislation. A tsunami is a series of ocean waves generated by sudden shifts in the sea floor, landslides, or volcanic activity. These waves can grow to be … Continue Reading
July 30, 2014Committee Holds Hearing on EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held the first in what the Committee Majority says will be a series of hearings on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to cut carbon emissions from existing power plants known as the “Clean Power Plan”. In September 2013, EPA proposed a rule to establish carbon pollution standards for new power plants, a prerequisite for the current proposal, the Clean Power Plan, which establishes … Continue Reading
July 29, 2014Subcommittee Reviews Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to review the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NERHP). Testifying before the Committee were two panels of witnesses. The first panel consisted of representative from the four relevant agencies. The second panel consisted of outside stakeholders. More information on the witnesses can be found here. Congress originally created NERHP in 1977, … Continue Reading
July 25, 2014Bipartisan Effort Passes Manufacturing Bill out of Science Committee
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act. H.R. 2996 would direct the Secretary of Commerce to support the establishment of institutes across the country dedicated to improving U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing, increasing domestic production and accelerating the development of an advanced manufacturing workforce. Each institute will be a public-private … Continue Reading