Committee Democrats Discuss R&D to Detect Terrorist Threats, Including the Vital Role of Social and Behavioral Sciences
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled, “Keeping America Secure: the Science Supporting the Development of Threat Detection Technologies.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine research and development of threat detection technologies across the federal government. Testifying before the Committee were representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) … Continue Reading
July 18, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Praises Report on Advanced Manufacturing
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a report, Capturing Domestic Competitive Advantage in Advanced Manufacturing, which offered a series of recommendations to revitalize and transform American manufacturing by enabling innovation, securing the talent pipeline, and improving the business climate for U.S. industry. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “I welcome PCAST’s report on advanced manufacturing and … Continue Reading
July 18, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Applauds President Obama’s Plan to Create a Master Teacher Corps
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Obama Administration announced the President’s plan to create a national science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Master Teacher Corps. The plan is based on a key recommendation in the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s (PCAST) report, Prepare and Inspire, on how to recognize and help retain America’s most talented STEM teachers, build a community of practice among them, raise the profile of the STEM teaching profession, and … Continue Reading
July 16, 2012Subcommittee Discusses NSF’s I-Corps Program
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a field hearing in Chicago, IL on Innovation Corps (I-Corps), a new National Science Foundation (NSF) program to promote technology innovation and leverage the federal government’s investment in scientific research. Launched in 2011, I-Corps is a public-private partnership that helps propel scientific and engineering discoveries into useful technologies, … Continue Reading
July 13, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Forensic Science Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 6106 to help prevent wrongful convictions by bringing reliable, science-based standards to forensic evidence. The legislation, the Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2012, comes amid growing concerns nationally that many criminal justice proceedings use evidence developed through flawed forensic work. Ms. Johnson’s bill would strengthen forensic science and standards, yielding evidence that judges, … Continue Reading
July 12, 2012Democrats Highlight Importance of the Nation’s Investments in NASA that Strengthen the American Economy, and Improve Our Daily Lives
(Washington, DC) -- Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing entitled, “Spurring Economic Growth and Competitiveness through NASA Derived Technologies.” The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the direct economic and societal benefits that investment in NASA has generated and to examine how best to ensure that continued investments will maintain a pipeline for future economic growth. Testifying before the … Continue Reading
July 12, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Reacts to NOAA’s “2011 State of the Climate” Report
(Washington, DC) -On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in coordination with the American Meteorological Society (AMS), released the “2011 State of the Climate” report that details global climate indicators, notable weather events, and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments on land, sea, ice, and sky. It includes details on a number of extreme weather events such as the deadly tornado outbreaks in the U.S. and the extreme … Continue Reading
July 09, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Legislation to Help American Manufacturers Remain Competitive
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced H.R. 6081, the Advancing Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2012, to accelerate research, development, and innovation in advanced manufacturing and improve the competitiveness of American manufacturers. The legislation is part of the House Democrats’ “Make It In America” agenda, a plan to support job creation today and in the future by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the U.S. and sell … Continue Reading
June 28, 2012Subcommittees Review Progress on Weather Satellite Programs
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Investigations and Oversight and Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine two of NOAA’s weather satellite programs, the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - R Series (GOES-R). Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on both satellites were released at the hearing today, Geostationary Weather Satellites, Design Progress … Continue Reading
June 27, 2012Subcommittee Discusses the Future of America’s Research Universities
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the challenges faced by the Nation’s research universities. A recent National Research Council (NRC) report that examines the health and competitiveness of our nation’s research universities, Research Universities and the Future of America, was discussed. The hearing also reflected on the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act (P.L. 37-108) … Continue Reading
June 22, 2012Problems in Managing Critical Isotopes May Leave the US Subject to Surprise Shortages
(Washington, DC) -The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report today that examines the Department of Energy’s management of its Isotope Program which provides more than 300 critical isotopes for sale to commercial entities and research facilities for use in nuclear medicine, homeland security, industrial applications and a wide-range of research activities. The report titled “Managing Critical Isotopes: DOE’s Isotope Program Needs Better Planning for Setting Prices and Managing … Continue Reading
June 21, 2012Democrats Highlight DOE User Facilities as Critical Tools for Supporting U.S. Technological Innovation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine the role the Department of Energy’s (DOE) national scientific user facilities play in enabling research that drives innovation and economic growth. Additionally, the hearing also examined some challenges and opportunities associated with user facilities planning and management. As a central part of its National Laboratory system, DOE constructs and … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012Committee Democrats Review OSTP’s Initiatives and Challenges
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held an oversight hearing on the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to examine its roles, responsibilities, operations and management, and its function in helping shape our national science policy. Testifying before the Committee was Dr. John P. Holdren, Director of OSTP and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Policy. OSTP was established by Congress in 1976 with a broad mandate to … Continue Reading
June 19, 2012Subcommittee Discusses Technology Transfer from Universities
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing entitled, “Best Practices in Transforming Research into Innovation: Creative Approaches to the Bayh-Dole Act.” The purpose of the hearing was to learn about different approaches universities are taking to transfer the results of federally-funded research to the private sector. Testifying before the Subcommittee were representatives from the Association … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012Subcommittee Democrats Examine Issues Surrounding Potential Extension of Commercial Space Launch Indemnification Provisions
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing entitled, “An Examination of Future Commercial Launch Markets and FAA’s Launch Indemnification Program.” The purpose of the hearing was to explore the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) implementation of the existing commercial space launch indemnification program and whether it is necessary to require a government-backed risk-sharing program in order for … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012Democrats Call for Thoughtful Discussion of EPA Regulatory Costs and Benefits
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing intended to examine the process used by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in evaluating the costs and benefits of federal environmental regulations. Testifying before the Subcommittee were several witnesses representing industry interests. EPA was not invited to testify before the Subcommittee. … Continue Reading
May 31, 2012Subcommittee Examines Proposal to Help Revitalize Manufacturing
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Testifying before the Subcommittee was Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Ranking Member Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), in her opening statement, stressed the importance of … Continue Reading
May 25, 2012Science Committee Democrats Congratulate SpaceX and NASA on Successful Berthing to the ISS
(Washington, DC) -Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Costello (D-IL) today congratulated the SpaceX and NASA teams following the successful capture and berthing of the Dragon cargo vehicle at the International Space Station (ISS): Ranking Member Johnson said “If the promise of the International Space Station (ISS) is to be achieved, it is essential that a reliable and cost-effective means to transport cargo to the ISS be … Continue Reading
May 18, 2012Ranking Member Johnson's Statement on H.R. 5826 and H.R. 5827
Extension of remarks Friday, May 18, 2012 by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas Introduction of Clean Water Research Bills Mr. Speaker, I rise today to describe two bills I am introducing regarding clean water research - H.R. 5826, The Coordinating Water Research for a Clean Water Future Act of 2012, and H.R. 5827 the Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2012. These two bills will help focus the federal government’s research efforts on clean water, a critical natural … Continue Reading
May 18, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Introduces Clean Water Research Bills
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced two pieces of clean water research legislation, H.R. 5826, the Coordinating Water Research for a Clean Water Future Act of 2012, and H.R. 5827, the Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2012. Both bills aim to ensure that the nation will have access to clean and reliable water supplies for future generations. Similar bills passed the House in the 111th Congress in a bipartisan fashion. Ms. Johnson said in … Continue Reading