Subcommittees 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 report here. … 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
June 28, 2015Ranking Members Johnson and Edwards Statements on SpaceX CRS-7 Launch Vehicle Failure
(Washington, D.C.) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) released the following statements after the failed launch of the SpaceX CRS-7 resupply mission to the International Space Station: Ranking Member Johnson said, “The loss of today’s SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station is a reminder that spaceflight is still not a routine undertaking. While the loss of the mission is disappointing, I am … Continue Reading
June 25, 2015Joint Subcommittee Hearing Examines NSF’s Utilization and Management of Rotating Staff
(Washington, DC) - Today the Subcommittee on Oversight and the Subcommittee on Research & Technology held a joint hearing to review the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) rotating staff program. “Rotators” are temporary staff who rotate through NSF on assignments of up to four years, and they typically come from U.S. universities. The vast majority of rotators come to NSF through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 and are commonly referred to as IPAs. Currently, rotators make up … Continue Reading
June 24, 2015Subcommittee Democrats Highlight the Benefits of the Clean Power Plan
(Washington, DC) - Today the Subcommittees on Environment and Energy held a joint hearing to review the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) recent report, Analysis of the Impacts of the Clean Power Plan. The report consists of several long-term projections of the CPP’s potential impacts on the energy sector through 2040. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said in her opening statement. “I suspect that some Members and witnesses will be making the same old argument that EPA … Continue Reading
June 17, 2015Energy Subcommittee Examines Research at DOE Energy Innovation Hubs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the research at the Department of Energy’s Energy Innovation Hubs. The Hubs program started five years ago and employs a unique model of multidisciplinary partnerships across national laboratories, universities, and businesses to address key barriers to clean energy technologies. The directors for each Hub testified before the Committee: Dr. Harry A. Atwater, Director of … Continue Reading
June 16, 2015Subcommittee Discusses Gene Editing Technologies
(Washington, DC) - Today the Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to discuss gene editing technologies, the need to develop a framework for their use in humans, and the need for U.S. leadership. Ranking Member Dan Lipinski (D-IL) said, “I am pleased we convened this hearing to learn more about the science behind these technologies as well as how the United States can be a leader in addressing the safety and ethical concerns associated with them. The National Academies has … Continue Reading
June 12, 2015Subcommittee Discusses Transportation R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today the Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to review surface transportation research, development, and technology programs within the Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the relationship between the Department and non-federal entities that also conduct transportation research. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shares jurisdiction over transportation R&D with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Committees typically … Continue Reading
June 11, 2015Subcommittee Discusses NASA’s and FAA’s Work to Foster Technologically Advanced, Environmentally Responsible, and Safe Air Travel
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Transforming America’s Air Travel” to examine the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) efforts to maintain a safe national airspace, while integrating new technologies and capabilities into the National Airspace System (NAS) that are central to preserving U.S. leadership and global competitiveness in civil aviation. Ranking Member Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) … Continue Reading