Ranking Member Sorensen Statement on Mars Sample Return Independent Review
WASHINGTON D.C.—Mars Sample Return (MSR) is a NASA planetary science mission being carried out in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) to return the first samples from the surface of Mars back to Earth for scientific study and analysis. MSR has been recommended as the top priority by the 2011 and 2022 National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine decadal survey reports for planetary science. In May, the Associate Administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate called … Continue Reading
August 14, 2023Science Committee Leaders Applaud National Academies Decision on IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde
(WASHINTGON, DC) -- Last week, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) issued its review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) draft assessment on formaldehyde. The draft assessment, first issued in April 2022, concludes that there is a causal relationship between formaldehyde exposure and myeloid leukemia. The expert NASEM panel finds that the assessment’s conclusions follow from the evidence … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren Applauds Latest Fusion Ignition Result
SAN JOSE, CA – In late July, Lawrence Livermore National Lab’s (LLNL) National Ignition Facility (NIF) conducted an experiment that repeated the achievement of fusion ignition and yielded the highest energy gain ever produced at NIF. "NIF’s latest breakthrough is a shining example of what can happen when we prioritize advancing research and development in fusion science,” said Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA). “I am thrilled about NIF’s substantial improvement … Continue Reading
August 09, 2023Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren Celebrates One Year of CHIPS and Science, Calls for Action to Support American Science
SAN JOSE, CA – Today marks the first anniversary of the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act. CHIPS and Science was spearheaded by Members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and was signed into law by President Biden on August 9, 2022. “When President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law one year ago, Democrats in Congress and the Administration made it clear to the world: the United States can and will lead in science and innovation,” said … Continue Reading
August 04, 2023Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren Applauds Fusion Energy Awards
SAN JOSE, CA—This week the Department of Energy (DOE) announced three sets of fusion energy research and development awards, including several to Bay-Area institutions. “It’s an exciting time for fusion energy development,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “After the breakthrough achievement of fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility at LLNL last year, I’m happy to see the Biden Administration doubling down with investments in this critical … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023Lucas and Lofgren Tell Commerce IG to Stop Withholding Documents
WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday last week, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Commerce regarding her refusal to share critical documents related to the Committee’s ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct by her. The Committee began the investigation of IG Peggy Gustafson in April. On June 6, Lucas and Lofgren … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Statement on House Passage of FAA Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the activities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. The bill includes research and development provisions that moved on a bipartisan basis through the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Science Committee has jurisdiction over all R&D activities at FAA. “The FAA reauthorization that passed the House today will help usher a strong future for the organization and … Continue Reading
July 12, 2023Congresswomen Lofgren and Bonamici Introduce Comprehensive Bill to Strengthen US Wildfire Response
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) was joined by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to introduce the National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act, a comprehensive science authorization bill that will identify and invest in research and development, set up warning and forecast systems, develop observation and sensing technologies, and standardize data collection efforts to improve the nation’s preparedness, resilience and response to wildfires. The … Continue Reading
June 27, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren Honors Nobel Laureate John Goodenough
WASHINGTON, DC - On Sunday, Dr. John Goodenough passed away at the age of 100. Dr. Goodenough was a renowned scientist who developed the lithium-ion battery. He was awarded the Nobel Prize of Chemistry in 2019 for his work. “The life and legacy of John Goodenough will continue to impact generations upon generations,” said Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA). “Dr. Goodenough was a trailblazing scientist whose life’s work was the key to bringing about the lithium-ion battery. … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023Committee Leaders Lofgren and Lucas Introduce Bill to Enhance Safety of Critical Structures
WASHINGTON, DC—Yesterday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced H.R. 4143, the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Enhancements Act. The NCST Enhancements Act updates a previously enacted law to expand the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) authority to investigate failures of structures other than buildings to inform engineering standards and codes. NIST will be able to use this authority to investigate major … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023Congressmen Lieu and Merkley Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Address Methane Emissions
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led the introduction of the Methane Emissions Research Act in both the House and Senate. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) also joined introducing the bill. This legislation creates a pilot study at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use direct measurements to quantify methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure in the United States. The bill addresses knowledge gaps that were identified … Continue Reading
June 07, 2023Lucas, Lofgren Request Documents from Commerce Inspector General for Ongoing Investigation
WASHINGTON, DC - House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce today requesting documents as part of an ongoing bipartisan investigation into reports that she engaged in whistleblower retaliation and misconduct. "Retaliatory behavior from within offices of inspectors general against their own staff fundamentally undermine the purpose of the OIG and will … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023ICYMI: Science Committee Requests DOT Transparency in Rail Safety Efforts
WASHINGTON, DC—Yesterday, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Members sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting information about the research, development, and technology (RD&T) efforts being made to improve the transportation of hazardous material by rail in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. The letter was signed by Science Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Member Zoe … Continue Reading
May 26, 2023Science Committee Members Meet Artemis II Crew
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology met with the crew of Artemis II. The Artemis II crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The Artemis II mission is slated for late 2024 and will be the first crewed Artemis mission to fly around the Moon. The discoveries and knowledge gained from this mission will pave the way for Artemis III, set to return humans to the Moon for the first time in … Continue Reading
May 25, 2023Ranking Members Lofgren & Bowman Celebrate Funding to Advance Clean Energy Efforts at NREL
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $150 Million in upgrades for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. Revitalizing the infrastructure of our national labs has been a priority of the Science Committee for several years, and this announcement is a direct result of Committee efforts. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Subcommittee on Energy Ranking Member Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) made the following statement. … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023Ranking Member Lofgren and Senator Padilla Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans from Toxic Chemical Exposure
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) introduced the Supercomputing for Safer Chemicals (SUPERSAFE) Act. The legislation would establish a SUPERSAFE Consortium led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify chemicals that are safe to use in commerce through science-backed decision making. “I’m proud to be introducing the House companion to the SUPERSAFE Act with Senator Padilla today,” … Continue Reading
May 12, 2023House Passes Legislation to Fight Spread of Dangerous Synthetic Opioids
(Washington, DC) - This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1734, the TRANQ Research Act, sponsored by Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) and Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), with broad bipartisan support. The TRANQ Research Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to deepen its partnerships and strategically focus on the science needed to detect, identify, and better understand synthetic … Continue Reading
May 09, 2023House Passes Two Bipartisan Science Committee Bills
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives considered and passed two bipartisan Science, Space, and Technology Committee bills: H.R. 676, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2023 and H.R. 1715, the Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act. “I applaud the passage of these two bipartisan pieces of Committee legislation,” said Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK). “Improved community engagement with Indian Tribes, as well as state and local … Continue Reading
May 08, 2023Ranking Member Celebrates Fusion Ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Lab
(Washington, DC)—Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) attended an event at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to celebrate the December 2022 milestone of achieving fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility. “I was delighted to celebrate the monumental achievement of fusion ignition at Livermore Lab today,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “As the Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I’m proud of and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2023Science Committee Leaders Lofgren and Stevens Applaud Biden Announcement of Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Tech
(Washington, DC)—This morning, the White House announced a National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies. Standards are the guidelines used to ensure the technology Americans routinely rely on is universally safe and interoperable. The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) will lead in implementing this strategy. “Maintaining U.S. leadership in technical standards is essential to maintaining our competitiveness in advanced industries,” … Continue Reading