Committee 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
May 17, 2012Subcommittee Reviews Activities of the U.S. Fire Administration, Hears from Fire Service Community
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and its effectiveness, priorities for future research, development, and training activities at USFA, and the fire service priorities for the USFA reauthorization. Testifying before the Subcommittee were the Administrator of USFA and representatives from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, … Continue Reading
May 10, 2012Unconventional Oil Resources Not Ready for Primetime
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing entitled, “Supporting American Jobs and the Economy Through Expanded Energy Production: Challenges and Opportunities of Unconventional Resources Technology.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine challenges and opportunities associated with expanding development and use of a range of unconventional oil and gas resources. However, the majority of the … Continue Reading
May 10, 2012Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's Floor Statement on the Consideration of H.R. 5326, the CJS Appropriations Bill
FLOOR STATEMENT ON THE CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5326, THE CJS APPROPRIATIONS BILL HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON [D-TX] Mr. Chairman, funding for research, innovation, and STEM education is an investment in our future, perhaps one of the most important investments we make as a nation. China, the European Union, and many other countries understand this and are poised to surpass the United States in innovation capacity and in the creation of a highly skilled 21st century workforce, if they have not … Continue Reading
May 09, 2012Subcommittee Hears From NSF’s Inspector General
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing entitled “Ensuring the Best Stewardship of American Taxpayer Dollars at the National Science Foundation.” Testifying before the Subcommittee was Ms. Allison C. Lerner, the Inspector General (IG) for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF, as well as every other Federal agency, has an Office of Inspector General (OIG) that provides independent … Continue Reading
May 08, 2012Surface Transportation Act Conference Statement
Uploaded FilesRanking Member Johnson's Statement at the Surface Transporation Act Conference … Continue Reading
April 25, 2012Subcommittee Misses Opportunity to Understand the Impact of National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight and the House Committee on Small Business’s Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology held a joint hearing entitled, “How the Report on Carcinogens Uses Science to Meet its Statutory Obligations, and its Impact on Small Business Jobs.” The stated purpose of the hearing was to examine the Report on Carcinogens (RoC) and to provide Members an opportunity to understand … Continue Reading
April 24, 2012Ranking Member Johnson Introduces “Broadening Participation in STEM Education Act”
(Washington, DC) - Today Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) announced that she has introduced H.R. 4483, the Broadening Participation in STEM Education Act. The goals of the legislation are to increase the number of students from underrepresented minority groups earning degrees in STEM fields at the undergraduate level and expand the number of faculty members from underrepresented minority groups at colleges and universities. Ranking Member Johnson said in her floor statement, “The … Continue Reading
April 24, 2012Ranking Member Johnson's Statement on the "Broadening Participation in STEM Education Act"
Today I am introducing H.R. 4483, the “Broadening Participation in STEM Education Act.” This bill aims to increase the number of students from underrepresented minority groups who receive undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. It also seeks to increase the number of STEM faculty members from underrepresented minority groups at institutions of higher education. The U.S. faces a severe shortfall in students graduating with degrees in … Continue Reading
April 19, 2012Solar Programs Found to Support Small Businesses and Jobs
(Washington, DC) - Today, in a joint hearing of the Investigations & Oversight (I&O) and the Energy and Environment Subcommittees, Members of Congress heard reports on the effectiveness of a Recovery Act program to spur installation of solar and wind energy systems. Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ranking Member on I&O, invited a representative of a local company from Rensselaer, NY to testify about the effect of the “Section 1603” program on their business. The Section 1603 grant program … Continue Reading
April 19, 2012Subcommittee Examines the Impending Spectrum Crunch
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing entitled, “Avoiding the Spectrum Crunch: Growing the Wireless Economy through Innovation.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the issues surrounding the growing demand for spectrum, Federal research and development activities related to spectrum, and what can and should be done by the Federal government to increase the availability of spectrum for … Continue Reading
April 17, 2012Oil Company Executives Agree: Obama Not to Blame for High Gas Prices
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled, “Tapping America’s Unconventional Oil Resources for Job Creation and Affordable Domestic Energy: Technology and Policy Pathways.” The stated purpose of the hearing was to examine policy and technology pathways to developing unconventional oil resources such as oil shale and oil sands. However, witnesses were asked to comment on areas ranging from the economic impacts of high energy prices, … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012Subcommittee Democrats Stress the Need for Reliable Weather and Climate Forecasting
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) develops, evaluates, and executes plans to deliver the best and most cost effective data necessary for severe weather prediction and other observational needs. Two panels of witnesses testified at the hearing. The first panel included witnesses from the three most relevant offices … Continue Reading