Science Committee Democrats Ask for Top-to-Bottom Review of Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General
(Washington, DC) - Four senior Members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) yesterday requesting a comprehensive review of the Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Office of Inspector General (OIG). Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Dan Maffei (D-NY), Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici … Continue Reading
February 26, 2013Subcommittee Discusses E15
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to examine the scientific, technical, and economic impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to allow the sale of E15, a gasoline blended with up to 15 volume percent ethanol. The Subcommittee also discussed draft legislation requiring further assessment of E15. The EPA granted a waiver that would allow, but not mandate, the introduction of … Continue Reading
February 26, 2013Subcommittees Discuss Cybersecurity R&D to Prepare for Legislation
(Washington, DC) - - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Technology and Research held a joint hearing to review cybersecurity research and development (R&D) efforts. Specifically, the hearing examined how current federal efforts align with current and emerging threats. Witnesses included Mr. Michael Barrett, the Chief Information Security Officer at Paypal; Dr. Fred Chang, President and Chief Operating Officer of 21CT, a small technology company; and … Continue Reading
February 14, 2013Subcommittee Discusses the NITRD Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research held a hearing to discuss the practical applications and benefits of the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program. Testifying before the Subcommittee were Dr. Kelly Gaither, Director of the Visualization Lab at the Texas Advanced Computing Center; Dr. Kathryn McKinley, Principal Researcher at Microsoft; and Dr. Ed Lazowska, Bill and Melinda Gates … Continue Reading
February 14, 2013Subcommittee Democrats Stress Environmental Protection and Economic Vitality
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held its first hearing of the 113th Congress. The purpose of the hearing was to assess broad environmental trends and indicators, including an examination of factors such as air and water quality, chemical exposure, environmental and human health, and climate change. Much of the discussion centered around the impact of environmental regulations. Democratic Members presented a broad … Continue Reading
February 13, 2013Energy Subcommittee Discusses Dynamics of the Energy Marketplace
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy held its first hearing of the 113th Congress. The purpose of the hearing was to provide an overview of the current energy landscape in the U.S. and a forum for discussing what the future might hold for various energy technologies and resources. Testifying before the Subcommittee were the Honorable Adam Sieminski, Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at the … Continue Reading
February 13, 2013Ranking 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’s assertion, ‘Now is not the time to gut job-creating investments in science and innovation. Now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the … Continue Reading
February 11, 2013Ranking Member Edwards’ Comments on the Successful Launch of Landsat Satellite
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) launched successfully from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Landsat program is an ongoing joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, which began in 1972 to study the surface of the Earth. This will be the eighth satellite in the history of the program. Ranking Member of the Space Subcommittee Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) made the following statement. “I want to congratulate all of the people involved in making this … Continue Reading
February 06, 2013Ranking Member Johnson Responds to Majority Leader’s Call to Cut Social Science Funding
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Majority Leader Eric Cantor gave a speech in which he called for the social sciences to be defunded, specifically pointing to political science funding. He said, “Funds currently spent by the government on social science - including on politics of all things - would be better spent helping find cures to diseases.” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-TX) response is below. “I’m starting to feel like a broken record but I’m just going to keep saying it - the … Continue Reading
February 06, 2013Committee Democrats and Witnesses Emphasize Importance of Continued Federal Investments in R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held its first hearing of the 113th Congress. It was entitled, “American Competitiveness: the Role of Research and Development.” Testifying before the Committee were Mr. Richard Templeton, the President and CEO of Texas Instruments; Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and Dr. Charles Vest, the President of the National Academy of Engineering. Witnesses and Democratic Members … Continue Reading
February 05, 2013Smith Hosts Bipartisan Retreat for Science Committee Members
Washington, D.C. — Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today hosted a bipartisan retreat for members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This is the first time that the Committee has held a bipartisan retreat at the beginning of a Congress. Chairman Smith: “Newspaper headlines insist that Capitol Hill is hopelessly gridlocked. I want the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to be the exception; a place where members on both sides can work together to promote policies that … Continue Reading
February 01, 2013Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson: We must remain steadfast on space flight safety
Today, on the tenth anniversary of the space shuttle Columbia tragedy, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) has a post on The Hill discussing the need to remain steadfast on space flight safety. To read the post, click here or see below: We must remain steadfast on space flight safety Ten years ago, the U.S. space program and the Nation suffered a tragedy that was a stark reminder of the challenges and risks involved in human spaceflight. On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia … Continue Reading
February 01, 2013Ranking Member Johnson Congratulates Recipients of the 2011 National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) joined President Obama at the White House to honor the recipients of the 2011 National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Ranking Member Johnson said, “I sincerely congratulate all of these recipients. Their accomplishments are significant achievements. Not only has their work made important contributions to their fields, but they also serve to inspire future generations to pursue … Continue Reading
January 24, 2013Democrats Announce Subcommittee Assignments and Ranking Members
(Washington, DC) - The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held an Organizational Meeting, Wednesday, January 23, to approve the Committee rules, oversight plan, and subcommittee rosters. The Democratic Caucus elected Subcommittee Ranking Members and selected subcommittee assignments yesterday. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “I look forward to working with Chairman Smith and all the Members of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and I am hopeful that we … Continue Reading
January 09, 2013Ranking Member Johnson’s Statement on 2012 Being the Warmest Year on Record for the U.S.
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) issued the following statement on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) recent announcement that 2012 was the warmest year on record for the contiguous United States. “This data from NOAA confirms what many of us already know too well - our world is getting warmer. According to NOAA, 2012 was part of a long-term trend of hotter, drier, and potentially more extreme weather for the country. While this … Continue Reading
December 20, 2012Ranking Member Johnson and Rep. McNerney Applaud Inclusion of Support to Firefighters and First Responders in Defense Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, upon House passage of the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, H.R. 4310, by a vote of 315-107, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered the following comment: “I am pleased that the conference report adopted legislative provisions similar to H.R. 2269, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011, which I introduced along with Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Fire … Continue Reading
December 12, 2012Committee Examines NASA’s Strategic Direction
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine issues surrounding NASA’s strategic direction, including reviewing critical capabilities that underpin the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) role as the world’s preeminent civil space exploration and aeronautics research and development agency, discussing potential steps to preserve and promote them, and reviewing the findings of a National Research Council (NRC) … Continue Reading
December 05, 2012Rep. 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 remain Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for the 113th Congress. Ranking Member Johnson said the following: “I am honored to continue our work at the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. I stand eager to continue to work with my colleagues on the Committee to help rebuild our nation’s economy through the enhancement of STEM education, … Continue Reading
November 30, 2012Subcommittee Hears Familiar Arguments for Taxpayer-Funded Oil and Gas Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held the latest in a series of hearings on unconventional oil and gas research and development titled, “Tapping America’s Energy Potential Through Research and Development.” The purpose of the hearing was to discuss research needs related to unconventional oil and natural gas resources, as well as to receive testimony on H.R. 6603, the “Tapping America’s Energy Potential … Continue Reading
November 28, 2012Subcommittee Examines Report on Solar Research Priorities
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to examine the recommendations in the National Research Council’s (NRC) decadal survey, Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society. The recommendations addressed both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) and National Science Foundation’s (NSF) solar and space physics programs and the application of this research to an … Continue Reading