Ranking Member Johnson comments on proposed EPA Rule
(Washington, DC) - Following today’s release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to regulate carbon emissions of existing power plants, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology released the following statement: “The impact of climate change on American citizens is being felt today and the consequences are growing more severe. Acting on climate change is not only an environmental imperative, but a public health … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014Ranking Member Johnson's Floor Statement for General Debate on the CJS Appropriations Bill
Mr. Chairman, funding for research, innovation, and STEM education is an investment in our future, perhaps the single most important investment we make. Many of our competitors understand this and are striving to surpass the United States in innovation capacity and in the creation of a highly skilled 21st century workforce. It used to be that the world’s best and brightest flocked to our shores. Now many of our own best and brightest are finding better opportunities in other countries, or we … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014Committee Discusses Process for Developing U.N. Climate Report
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine the process used by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to develop the recently completed Fifth Assessment Report. Testifying before the Committee today were Dr. Richard S.J. Tol, Professor of Economics at the University of Sussex; Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs in the Department of Geosciences … Continue Reading
May 28, 2014Committee Democrats Oppose FIRST Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology completed the markup of H.R. 4186, Frontiers in Innovation, Research, Science, and Technology Act of 2014 (FIRST). Last week, the Committee began consideration of the FIRST Act. Roll call votes on amendments and on final passage were delayed until today. Congress passed bipartisan Competes legislation in 2007 and 2010 which laid out bold policy directions for U.S. scientific research and innovation. The FIRST Act … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014House Science Committee Postpones Completion of FIRST Act Markup
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee marked up the FIRST Act, legislation that has been widely criticized by industry and the research and university communities. Democratic Members offered numerous amendments in an effort to improve the bill. Many of those amendments would help strengthen our competitiveness by authorizing or reauthorizing critical programs to spur innovation and secure the future of American manufacturing. Democratic Members also … Continue Reading
May 20, 2014Subcommittee Discusses Nanotechnology Investments and Opportunities
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to examine the current state of U.S. nanotechnology and the potential for further growth in this important field. Ranking Member Dan Lipinski (D-IL) of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology said in his opening statement, “Federal investments in nanotechnology research have already led to job creation in my state and across the nation, and I believe the … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014Subcommittee Discusses Space Traffic Management
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Space Traffic Management: How to Prevent a Real Life ‘Gravity.’” The purpose of the hearing was to explore the roles agencies have in dealing with orbital debris, authorities granted by Congress to oversee these agencies, and Administration plans to coordinate orbital debris activities. Testifying before the Subcommittee were Lieutenant General John W. “Jay” … Continue Reading
May 06, 2014Ranking Members Johnson and Bonamici Comment on the Third National Climate Assessment
(Washington, DC) - Today the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC) released the final version of the Third National Climate Assessment. The report addresses the serious impacts of climate change on the U.S. and the potential consequences of continued inaction. The National Climate Assessment brings together the expertise of hundreds of the nation’s top scientists along with input from of the American public and concerned organizations. The Administration is … Continue Reading
April 30, 2014Subcommittee Reviews FY2015 Budget Request for NOAA
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to review the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Testifying before the Committee was the Administrator of NOAA, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan. Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) said of NOAA in her opening statement, “NOAA is a critically important agency tasked with helping our communities, economy, … Continue Reading
April 29, 2014Committee Marks Up NASA Reauthorization
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R. 4412, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2014. The bill authorizes funding for one year and provides policy direction for NASA. In July 2013, the Committee passed H.R. 2687, the “National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2013, by a party-line recorded vote. Over the past several months, Majority and Minority Members and staffers … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014Committee Discusses DOE Science and Technology Priorities
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine the Department of Energy’s (DOE) science and technology priorities and discuss the Administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget request for the Department of Energy’s research and development portfolio. Testifying before the Committee was the Honorable Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. In her opening statement, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) praised … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014Subcommittee Examines Scientific Prize Competitions
(Washington, DC) – Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to examine the role of scientific competitions in furthering innovation and scientific discovery. Testifying before the subcommittee was Mr. Christopher Frangione, Vice President of Prize Development for XPRIZE; Mr. Donnie Wilson, Founder and CEO of Elastec American Marine; Mr. Narinder Singh, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Appirio and … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014Space Subcommittee Approves Bipartisan NASA Authorization Act
(Washington, D.C.) - The Space Subcommittee today approved the NASA Authorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4412) with unanimous bipartisan support. The bill updates the previously committee-approved bill to reflect the funding agreement reached in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014. The Subcommittee also approved a bipartisan Palazzo-Edwards amendment that ensures sustainability of purpose and budget for high-priority NASA programs. The amendment reaffirms Congress’s commitment to space … Continue Reading
April 01, 2014House Passes the Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2413, the Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014. The bill passed under a suspension of the rules and had strong bipartisan support from members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H.R. 2413 helps restore American leadership in weather forecasting and prediction. The bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to prioritize weather-related activities for the protection of lives … Continue Reading
April 01, 2014Bipartisan Call to Terminate Commerce Officials Who Retaliated Against Whistleblowers
(Washington, D.C.) - All of the Members on the Oversight Subcommittee sent a bi-partisan letter today to the Commerce Department Inspector General (IG) Todd Zinser demanding he immediately terminate two senior officials based on the results of a nearly year-long investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). The OSC is the federal agency charged with investigating allegations of whistleblower retaliation and found that two whistleblowers from the Department of Commerce’s IG Office were … Continue Reading
March 31, 2014Ranking Member Johnson Hosts Climate Change Panel in Dallas
(Dallas, TX) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a panel discussion on climate change at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. The event, titled “A Panel Discussion on Climate Change: How Climate Change Affects Texas and How Texas Can Adapt and Prosper”, included experts from industry, academia, and government. The panel included Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Associate Professor at Texas Tech University and Director of the … Continue Reading
March 27, 2014Subcommittee Reviews the NASA Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2015
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing to review the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. testified before the Subcommittee. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said in her prepared statement, “I hope that my friends across the aisle will agree with me that NASA and its programs are worth a … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014Committee Examines the R&D Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2015
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled “A Review of the President’s FY2015 Budget Request for Science Agencies.” Testifying before the Committee was Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said in her opening statement, “The fiscal year 2015 budget request makes it clear that the … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014Subcommittee Holds Markup of Republican FIRST Act, Democrats Voice Opposition
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a markup of H.R. 4186, Frontiers in Innovation, Research, Science, and Technology Act of 2014 (FIRST). Congress passed bipartisan Competes legislation in 2007 and 2010 which laid out bold policy directions for U.S. scientific research and innovation. The FIRST Act, introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Bucshon and cosponsored by Chairman Smith, attempts to replace parts of … Continue Reading
March 12, 2014Democrats Support EPA Action to Address Climate Change at Joint Subcommittee Hearing
(Washington, DC) - Today the Subcommittee on Environment and the Subcommittee on Energy held a joint hearing to discuss the performance standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for regulating carbon dioxide emitted from new power plants. Members highlighted the need for EPA to continue to regulate pollution from power plants and the impact those regulations have in promoting technology development in the marketplace, as well as protecting public health. In contrast … Continue Reading