Subcommittee Discusses Updating the Commercial Space Launch Act
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing, “Necessary Updates to the Commercial Space Launch Act” to examine the various changes in the commercial space launch industry and what, if any, accompanying changes are necessary to the Commercial Space Launch Act. Testifying before the Subcommittee were Dr. George Nield, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation at the Federal Aviation Administration … Continue Reading
January 31, 2014Ranking Members Johnson and Edwards Comment on NASA’s Day of Remembrance
(Washington, DC) - Today is NASA’s Day of Remembrance, a day designated to honor those NASA employees who lost their lives “while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery.” Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said “Today, we remember the brave pioneers who have lost their lives in the name of space exploration and scientific discovery. Their contributions to mankind and the indelible mark they left on this world will be forever remembered. This day is also an … Continue Reading
January 29, 2014Ranking Member Johnson Responds to the President's State of the Union Address
(Washington, DC) - In response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) issued the following statement: "As Ranking Member on the Committee with jurisdiction over almost all non-defense federal scientific research and development, I could not agree more with the President ‘that the nation that goes all-in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow. This is an edge America cannot surrender. Federally-funded research helped lead … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014Committee Holds another Politically Motivated Hearing on Healthcare.gov
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held its second hearing on alleged security issues of Healthcare.gov. Testifying before the Committee were four private IT security experts, including the Minority witness Mr. Waylon Krush, currently the CEO of Lunarline, a cyber-security consulting firm, where he works with federal and commercial clients. Mr. Krush is also a founding member of the Warrior to Cyber Warrior program, a free cybersecurity training … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Passage of the FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act
(Washington, DC) -Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement after the passage of Fiscal Year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act. “I am pleased that we passed the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations bill. We have been moving from budget fight to budget fight for far too long. This bill gives our agencies much-needed funding stability for the next nine months. By partially repealing the devastating sequester cuts, this is a step in the right direction. … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014Subcommittee Examines Scientific Research at the Smithsonian Institution
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to examine the ongoing research, partnerships, and education efforts at the Smithsonian Institution. The witnesses for today’s hearing were Dr. Wayne G. Clough, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Eva Pell, the Under Secretary for Science; and Dr. Kirk Johnson, Director of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). The Smithsonian is home to … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014Subcommittee Discusses STEM Education Support from Private Companies, Universities, and the Federal Government
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to discuss the growing role of private investments and continued support from the Federal government and universities in America’s STEM education efforts. The first panel before the Subcommittee included Mr. Dean Kamen, Founder of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) and Founder and President of DEKA Research & Development Corporation; … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014Ranking Member Johnson and Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Edwards Comment on Proposed Extension of International Space Station Operations
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. John P. Holdren, announced the Obama Administration’s proposed extension of operations of the International Space Station (ISS) to at least 2024. The ISS is authorized under the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 [P.L. 111-267] to operate until at least 2020. Weighing over 900,000 pounds and spanning the area of a football field, including end zones, with its large solar arrays, the development … Continue Reading
December 14, 2013Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the Passing of Dr. Charles M. Vest
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) released the following statement after hearing of the passing of Dr. Charles M. Vest. "I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Charles M. Vest's passing. He was a great friend to this Committee and I am grateful for the wisdom and guidance he provided as a witness on a number of issues. His contributions to science and engineering and U.S. innovation policy are innumerable. He served as a professor and a dean of engineering; became … Continue Reading
December 12, 2013Subcommittee Discusses Bipartisan Manufacturing Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing to examine H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (RAMI) introduced by Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY). H.R. 2996 directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Network for Manufacturing Innovation program to improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing and increase domestic production; stimulate … Continue Reading
December 12, 2013Committee Approves NASA Termination Liability Bill
(Washington, DC) - The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology marked up H.R. 3625, “To provide for termination liability costs for certain National Aeronautics and Space Administration projects, and for other purposes.” A Manager’s amendment and the bill were approved by a bipartisan voice vote and reported favorably out of Committee. Ranking Member of the Space Subcommittee Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) said in her opening statement, “I believe that Committee Members on both sides of the … Continue Reading
December 11, 2013Subcommittee Discusses Climate Change Impacts on Severe Weather
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing entitled “A Factual Look at the Relationship between Climate and Weather.” The stated purpose of the hearing was to examine the relationship between climate change and extreme weather events. Members emphasized the prevailing scientific consensus that anthropogenic climate change is real, and discussed the need to better understand the relationship between severe weather … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013Committee Marks Up Several Pieces of Legislation
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup to consider four pieces of legislation: H.R. 2413, the “Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2013,” H.R. 2431, the “National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2013,” H.R. 2981, the “Technology and Research Accelerating National Security and Future Economic Resiliency Act of 2013,” and H.R. 3625, “To provide for termination … Continue Reading
December 04, 2013Committee Holds Hearing on Astrobiology
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled, Astrobiology: Search for Biosignatures in our Solar System and Beyond. The purpose of the hearing was to assess the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of astrobiology research, including the role astrobiology plays in space missions; examine the techniques and capabilities necessary to determine the potential for the existence of biosignatures within our Solar System; investigate what … Continue Reading
December 03, 2013Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on the 2012 PISA Results
(Washington, DC) - Today, the results of the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) were released. PISA is a system of international assessments that measures the performance of 15-year-olds around the world in reading, math, and science literacy every three years and is sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Each PISA data collection effort assesses all three areas but one of the three subject areas in greater depth. In 2012, 65 … Continue Reading
December 02, 2013House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Extend Liability Protection for Commercial Space Launches
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act (H.R. 3547) by a vote of 376 to 5. H.R. 3547 is a bipartisan bill that extends for one year a commercial space transportation risk-sharing and liability regime that was established by Congress in 1988 with passage of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments. The bill extends provisions of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments, which cover third-party liability … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013Committee Democrats Comment on the National Space Transportation Policy
(Washington, DC) -Today, the President signed The National Space Transportation Policy, to “ensure that the United States stays on the cutting edge by maintaining space transportation capabilities that are innovative, reliable, efficient, competitive, and affordable, and that support U.S. interests.” Subcommittee on Space Ranking Member Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) said, “I am pleased that there are many similarities between the NASA Authorization Act of 2013 bill I introduced in July and the … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013Bipartisan Bill Extends Liability Protection
Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of Science, Space, and Technology Committee leaders today introduced a bill to extend for one year a commercial space transportation risk-sharing and liability regime that was established by Congress in 1988 with passage of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments. The Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act (H.R. 3547) extends provisions of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments, which cover third-party liability for licensed … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013Subcommittee Discusses Commercial Space
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space held a hearing to examine ways in which companies are utilizing federal support and government policies to grow their commercial space businesses; to address what government policies would be helpful to the U.S. commercial space industry; and to discuss H.R. 3038, the Suborbital and Orbital Advancement and Regulatory Streamlining (SOARS) Act. Testifying before the Subcommittee were Majority … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013Science Democrats Congratulate NASA on 15th Anniversary of the International Space Station
(Washington, DC) - Today marks the 15th anniversary of the start of construction of the International Space Station (ISS). On November 20, 1998, the Zarya Module, the first of many modules to form an ever expanding orbital laboratory, was launched into orbit. Completed in 2011, the station, including its large solar arrays, now spans the area of a football field, including the end zones, and weighs over 900,000 pounds. The ISS is an unprecedented technological and political achievement. … Continue Reading