Ranking Members Johnson and Edwards Applaud NASA’s Successful EFT-1 Test of the Orion Exploration Crew Vehicle
(Washington, DC) - Today, NASA conducted its Exploration Flight Test-1 of the Orion exploration crew vehicle, which launched this morning aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The unmanned flight test lasted approximately four and a half hours and ended with a successful splashdown of Orion in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The test, which sent the Orion capsule more than 3,600 miles above the surface of the Earth, will provide … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014Hearing to Discuss Audits of NSF Program Proves Untimely and Unproductive
(Washington, DC) -Today the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to discuss two audits of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). Testifying before the Committee were the Honorable Allison Lerner, Inspector General of NSF and the Honorable Anita Bales, Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Due to the timing the witnesses were only able to speak on preliminary observations regarding management fee policies at … Continue Reading
November 26, 2014Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the EPA’s Proposed Ozone Standard
(Washington, DC) -Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed new standard for ozone, the pollutant that causes smog. The proposal would lower the current standard of 75 parts per billion to a standard in the range of 65-70 parts per billion, while taking public comment on a level as low as 60. According to the EPA analysis, “strengthening the standard to a range of 65 to 70 ppb will provide significantly better protection for children, preventing from 320,000 to … Continue Reading
November 20, 2014Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Reelected as Ranking Member of Committee
(Washington, DC) -Today, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) was elected by her colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to continue as Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for the 114th Congress. Ranking Member Johnson said the following. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology over these past two Congresses, and I am eager to continue to work with my colleagues on the Committee. Though the … Continue Reading
November 19, 2014House Passes Pernicious EPA Scientific Advisory Board Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today the House passed H.R. 1422, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act, 232-195. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “H.R. 1422 is a continuation of the Majority’s anti-science agenda. It benefits no one but industry, and it harms public health. The bill before us today “reforms” EPA’s Science Advisory Board not for the better, but for the worse. The supposed intent of H.R. 1422 is to improve the process of selecting advisors to serve on the agency’s … Continue Reading
November 19, 2014Republicans' Search for Political Scapegoat Comes Up Empty
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held an Oversight Subcommittee hearing to question former White House Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Todd Park, on his involvement in the development of the Healthcare.gov website prior to October 1, 2013. The hearing came in the wake of a Majority staff report released in October that alleged Mr. Park had misled the Congress in testifying before another Committee. Under aggressive questioning from Members, Mr. Park’s … Continue Reading
November 19, 2014House Passes another Bill to Undermine EPA
(Washington, DC) - Today the House passed H.R. 4012, the Secret Science Reform Act, 237-190. The Majority claims that H.R. 4012 increases EPA's transparency and accountability by ensuring that its regulations are based on public data that can be verified and reproduced. In reality, H.R. 4012 prevents EPA from functioning effectively and using the best available scientific data-including data that is legally protected from public disclosure. Any effort to limit the scope of science that can be … Continue Reading
November 18, 2014House to Consider Partisan Anti-Science Bills Aimed at Hamstringing EPA
(Washington, DC) - This week the House will consider three particularly partisan bills, two of which previously passed out of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The two bills considered at the Committee, were strongly opposed by the Democratic Members. These bills represent another installment in the ongoing attempt by the Majority to hamstring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as it attempts to carry out its mission. Republicans will claim that H.R. 4012, the Secret … Continue Reading
November 12, 2014Ranking 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