Report of Activities of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 116th Congress — House Report 116-719
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This is House Report 116-719, Union Calendar No. 603, titled Report of Activities of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives, for the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed January 2, 2021. A letter of transmittal dated January 2, 2021 from Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman, to Speaker Nancy Pelosi submits the activities report pursuant to House Rule XI(l)(d)(l). The front matter lists the Committee and its subcommittees on Energy, Environment, Investigations and Oversight, Research and Technology, and Space and Aeronautics. The contents begin with Chapter I, Legislation Enacted into Law, listing items such as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
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1
Union Calendar No. 603
116th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – House Report 116–719
REPORT OF ACTIVITIES
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND
TECHNOLOGY
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FOR THE
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
JANUARY 2, 2021.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
42–839 WASHINGTON : 2021
E:\Seals\Congress.#13
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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY,
Washington, DC, January 2, 2021.
Hon. NANCY PELOSI,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
DEAR SPEAKER PELOSI: Pursuant to House Rule XI(l)(d)(l), I re-
spectfully submit the activities report for the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology for the 116th Congress.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON,
Chairwoman.
(III)
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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY
One Hundred Sixteenth Congress
Hon. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas, Chairwoman
Hon. FRANK LUCAS, Oklahoma, Ranking Member
Democratic Members (22) Republican Members (17)
ZOE LOFGREN, California MO BROOKS, Alabama
DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois BILL POSEY, Florida
SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon RANDY WEBER, Texas
AMI BERA, California, Vice Chair BRIAN BABIN, Texas
LIZZIE FLETCHER, Texas ANDY BIGGS, Arizona
HALEY STEVENS, Michigan ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas
KENDRA HORN, Oklahoma RALPH NORMAN, South Carolina
MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey MICHAEL CLOUD, Texas
BRAD SHERMAN, California TROY BALDERSON, Ohio
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee ANTHONY GONZALEZ, Ohio
JERRY MCNERNEY, California MICHAEL WALTZ, Florida
ED PERLMUTTER, Colorado JIM BAIRD, Indiana
PAUL TONKO, New York FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida
BILL FOSTER, Illinois GREGORY F. MURPHY, North Carolina
DON BEYER, Virginia MIKE GARCIA, California
CHARLIE CRIST, Florida THOMAS P. TIFFANY, Wisconsin
SEAN CASTEN, Illinois
BEN MCADAMS, Utah
JENNIFER WEXTON, Virginia
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania
Vacancy
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY
Hon. LIZZIE FLETCHER, Texas, Chairwoman
Democratic Members (9) * Republican Members (6) *
DANIEL LIPINKSI, Illinois RANDY WEBER, Texas,
HALEY STEVENS, Michigan Ranking Member
KENDRA HORN, Oklahoma ANDY BIGGS, Arizona
JERRY MCNERNEY, California RALPH NORMAN, South Carolina
BILL FOSTER, Illinois MICHAEL CLOUD, Texas
SEAN CASTEN, Illinois JIM BAIRD, Indiana
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT
Hon. MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey, Chairwoman
Democratic Members (9) * Republican Members (6) *
SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas,
LIZZIE FLETCHER, Texas Ranking Member
PAUL TONKO, New York BRIAN BABIN, Texas
CHARLIE CRIST, Florida ANTHONY GONZALEZ, Ohio
SEAN CASTEN, Illinois FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida
BEN MCADAMS, Utah GREGORY F. MURPHY, North Carolina
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania
(IV)
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
Hon. BILL FOSTER, Illinois, Chairman
Democratic Members (6) * Republican Members (4) *
SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon RALPH NORMAN, South Carolina,
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee Ranking Member
DON BEYER, Virginia ANDY BIGGS, Arizona
JENNIFER WEXTON, Virginia MICHAEL WALTZ, Florida
* The Full Committee Chair and Ranking Minority Member (RMM) shall serve as
ex-officio Members of all Subcommittees.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Hon. HALEY STEVENS, Michigan, Chairwoman
Democratic Members (9) * Republican Members (6) *
DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois JIM BAIRD, Indiana,
MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey Ranking Member
BRAD SHERMAN, California ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas
PAUL TONKO, New York TROY BALDERSON, Ohio
BEN MCADAMS, Utah ANTHONY GONZALEZ, Ohio
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee THOMAS P. TIFFANY, Wisconsin
BILL FOSTER, Illinois
SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS
Hon. KENDRA HORN, Oklahoma, Chairwoman
Democratic Members (9) * Republican Members (6) *
ZOE LOFGREN, California BRIAN BABIN, Texas,
AMI BERA, California Ranking Member
ED PERLMUTTER, Colorado MO BROOKS, Alabama
DON BEYER, Virginia BILL POSEY, Florida
CHARLIE CRIST, Florida MICHAEL WALTZ, Florida
JENNIFER WEXTON, Virginia MIKE GARCIA, California
Vacancy
* The Full Committee Chair and Ranking Minority Member (RMM) shall serve as
ex-officio Members of all Subcommittees.
(V)
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CONTENTS
Report on Activities of the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
116th Congress
Page
Chapter I: Legislation Enacted into Law ....................................................... 1
1.1. P.L. 116–92, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2020 (including: H.R. 2397, American Manufacturing Leadership Act;
H.R. 3038, Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019) ...... 1
1.2. P.L. 116–94, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (includ-
ing: H.R. 5213, NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2019) .... 2
1.3. P.L. 116–97, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act (H.R. 3196) 3
1.4. P.L. 116–102, Building Blocks of STEM Act (H.R. 1665/S. 737) ........... 3
1.5. P.L. 116–115, Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (H.R. 425/
S. 153) ............................................................................................................ 3
1.6. P.L. 116–181, PROSWIFT Act (H.R. 5260/S. 881) .................................. 4
1.7. P.L. 116–207, Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act
of 2019 (H.R. 1668) ....................................................................................... 5
1.8. P.L. 116–224, Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (S. 1982) ...................................... 5
1.9. P.L. 116–221, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments
Act of 2020 (S. 910) ....................................................................................... 6
1.10. P.L. 116–XXX, Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act
of 2020 (S. 914) .............................................................................................. 6
1.11. P.L. 116–XXX, IOGAN Act (H.R. 4355/S. 2904) ................................... 7
1.12. P.L. 116–XXX, One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space
Act (S. 1694) .................................................................................................. 7
1.13. P.L. 116–XXX, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133,
including the text of the Energy Act of 2020) ............................................ 8
1.14. P.L. 116–XXX, ‘‘The William M. (Mac) Thornberry’’ National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395/S. 4049) ........... 9
1.15. P.L. 116–XXX, National Landslide Preparedness Act (H.R. 8810) ..... 10
1.16. P.L. 116–XXX, Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility Act (S. 2472) ............ 11
1.17. P.L. 116–XXX, Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R.
4704) ............................................................................................................... 11
1.18. P.L. 116–XXX, EFFORT Act (H.R. 3153) .............................................. 12
Chapter II: Other Committee Legislation (bold indicates bills pri-
marily referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology) ................................................................................................................. 12
2.1. H.R. 1, For the People Act of 2019 .......................................................... 12
2.2. H.R. 34, Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2019 .... 12
2.3 H.R. 36, Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019 . 13
2.4 H.R. 206, Encouraging Small Business Innovation Act .......................... 13
2.5 H.R. 246, Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019 ... 14
2.6 H.R. 335, South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2019 .......... 14
2.7 H.R. 425, Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act .................... 15
2.8 H.R. 539, Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2019 ........................ 15
2.9 H.R. 542, Supporting Research and Development for First Responders
Act .................................................................................................................. 15
2.10 H.R. 617, Department of Energy Veterans’ Health Initiative
Act ................................................................................................................. 16
2.11 H.R. 988, NEAR Act of 2019 ................................................................ 16
2.12 H.R. 1237, COAST Research Act of 2019 .......................................... 17
(VII)
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Page
Chapter II—Continued
2.13 H.R. 1261, National Landslide Preparedness Act ................................. 17
2.14 H.R. 1314, Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act
Amendments of 2019 .................................................................................... 18
2.15 H.R. 1646, HERO Act .............................................................................. 18
2.16 H.R. 1665, Building Blocks of STEM Act* ....................................... 18
2.17 H.R. 1709, Scientific Integrity Act .................................................... 19
2.18 H.R. 1716, Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of
2019 ............................................................................................................... 19
2.19 H.R. 1837, United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Re-
gional Security Act ........................................................................................ 19
2.20 H.R. 1921, Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2019 ............... 20
2.21 H.R. 2044, Smart Building Acceleration Act .......................................... 20
2.22 H.R. 2051, Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development
Act of 2019 ................................................................................................... 21
2.23 H.R. 2397, American Manufacturing Leadership Act .................. 21
2.24 H.R. 2405, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act
of 2019 ............................................................................................................ 22
2.25 H.R. 2528, STEM Opportunities Act of 2019 ................................... 23
2.26 H.R. 2722, SAFE Act ................................................................................ 23
2.27 H.R. 2986, BEST Act ............................................................................. 23
2.28 H.R. 3038, SASTA ................................................................................... 24
2.29 H.R. 3196, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act* ........... 24
2.30 H.R. 3597, Solar Energy Research and Development Act of
2019 ............................................................................................................... 25
2.31 H.R. 3607, Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of
2019 ............................................................................................................... 25
2.32 H.R. 3609, Wind Energy Research and Development Act of
2019 ............................................................................................................... 26
2.33 H.R. 4230, CIT Act of 2019 ................................................................... 26
2.34 H.R. 4091, ARPA–E Reauthorization Act of 2019 .......................... 27
2.35 H.R. 4355, IOGEN Act ........................................................................... 27
2.36 H.R. 4372, MSI STEM Achievement Act .......................................... 28
2.37 H.R. 4373, Engineering Biology Research and Development
Act of 2019 ................................................................................................... 28
2.38 H.R. 4447, Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act ............................ 29
2.39 H.R. 4481, Securing Energy Critical Elements and American
Jobs Act of 2019 ......................................................................................... 29
2.40 H.R. 4656, Background Ozone Research Act .................................. 30
2.41 H.R 4733, Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 2019 .................. 30
2.42 H.R. 4737, Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Re-
search Act ...................................................................................................... 30
2.43 H.R. 4924, Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2019 ......................... 31
2.44 H.R. 4979, Rural STEM Education Act ............................................ 31
2.45 H.R 4990, Election Technology Research Act of 2020 .................. 32
2.46 H.R. 5213, NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of
2019 ............................................................................................................... 32
2.47 H.R. 5260, PROSWIFT Act* ................................................................. 32
2.48 H.R. 5374, Advanced Geothermal Research and Development
Act of 2019 ................................................................................................... 33
2.49 H.R. 5428, Grid Modernization Research and Development
Act of 2019 ................................................................................................... 33
2.50 H.R. 5519, Atmospheric Climate Intervention Research Act ..... 34
2.51 H.R. 5666, NASA Authorization Act of 2020 ................................... 34
2.52 H.R. 5760, Grid Security Research and Development Act .......... 35
2.53 H.R. 6084, Water Power Research and Development Act ........... 35
2.54 H.R. 6097, Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act ...... 36
2.55 H.R. 6208, Protecting American Space Assets Act ........................ 36
2.56 H.R. 6216, National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of
2020 ............................................................................................................... 37
2.57 H.R. 6388, STAR Act of 2020 ............................................................... 37
2.58 H.R. 7139, Ensuring American Leadership over International
Standards Act of 2019 ............................................................................... 38
2.59 H.R. 7214, Surface Transportation Research and Development
Act of 2020 ................................................................................................... 39
2.60 H.R. 7560, Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for Firefighters
Act of 2020 ................................................................................................... 39
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Page
Chapter II—Continued
2.61 H.R. 7713, NOPP Revitalization Act ...................................................... 40
2.62 H.R. 7931, PIRCS Act ............................................................................ 40
2.63 H.R. 8132, American COMPETE Act ..................................................... 41
2.64 H.R. 8273, Energizing Technology Transfer Act ........................... 41
2.65 H.R. 8395, COVID–19 Disinformation Research and Reporting
Act of 2020 ................................................................................................... 41
2.66 H.R. 8634, HACKED Act ....................................................................... 42
2.67 H. Res. 246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel
and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting
Israel .............................................................................................................. 42
Chapter III: Oversight, Investigations, and Other Activities of the
Committee .......................................................................................................... 43
3.1. Hearings before the Full Committee ................................................ 43
3.1(a). February 13, 2019—The State of Climate Science and Why
It Matters. Hearing Volume No. 116–1 ............................................... 43
3.1(b). March 6, 2019—Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Science and
Technology. Hearing Volume No. 116–4 .............................................. 43
3.1(c). March 13, 2019—America in Space: Future, Visions, Current
Issues. Hearing Volume No. 116–7 ...................................................... 44
3.1(d). April 2, 2019—A Review of National Aeronautics and Space
Administration FY2020 Budget Request. Hearing Volume No. 116–
10 ............................................................................................................. 44
3.1(e). May 9, 2019—Achieving the Promise of a Diverse STEM.
Hearing Volume No. 116–17 ................................................................. 44
3.1(f). May 16, 2019—Event Horizon Telescope: The Black Hole Seen
Round the World. Hearing Volume No. 116–19 .................................. 45
3.1(g). May 17, 2019—Member’s Day Hearing: House Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology. Hearing Volume No. 116–21 .......... 45
3.1(h). June 4, 2019—Nature in Crisis: Biodiversity Loss and Causes.
Hearing Volume No. 116–24 ................................................................. 45
3.1(i). June 12, 2019—Combating Sexual Harassment in Science.
Hearing Volume No. 116–28 ................................................................. 46
3.1(j). June 25, 2019—Oversight of the Department of Energy’s Re-
search and Development Enterprise. Hearing Volume No. 116–
30 ............................................................................................................. 46
3.1(k). June 26, 2019—Artificial Intelligence: Societal and Ethical
Implications. Hearing Volume No. 116–32 .......................................... 47
3.1(l). July 11, 2019—Earth’s Thermometers: Glacial and Ice Sheet
Melt in a Changing Climate. Hearing Volume No. 116–35 ............... 47
3.1(m). July 16, 2019—The Legacy of Apollo. Hearing Volume No.
116–37 ..................................................................................................... 48
3.1(n). September 10, 2019—Raising the Bar: Progress and Future
Needs in Forensic Science. Hearing Volume No. 116–43 ................... 48
3.1(o). September 19, 2019—Science and Technology at the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. Hearing Volume No. 116–46 ................... 48
3.1(p). September 26, 2019—Understanding, Forecasting, and Com-
municating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–49 ..................................................................................... 49
3.1(q). November 13, 2019—Strengthening Transparency or Silencing
Science? The Future of Science in EPA Rulemaking. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–53 ..................................................................................... 49
3.1(r). November 20, 2019—Fighting Flu, Saving Lives: Vaccine
Science and Innovation. Hearing Volume No. 116–56 ........................ 50
3.1(s). December 5, 2019—Experts Needed: Options for Improved
Science and Technology Advice for Congress. Hearing Volume No.
116–60 ..................................................................................................... 50
3.1(t). January 15, 2020—An Update on the Climate Crisis: From
Science to Solution. Hearing Volume No. 116–62 ............................... 51
3.1(u). January 29, 2020—Losing Ground: U.S. Competitiveness in
Critical Technologies. Hearing Volume No. 116–64 ........................... 51
3.1(v). February 27, 2020—A Review of the Administration’s Federal
Research and Development Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2021.
Hearing Volume No. 116–69 ................................................................. 52
3.1(w). March 5, 2020—Coronaviruses: Understanding the Spread
of Infectious Diseases and Mobilizing Innovative Solutions. Hearing
Volume No. 116–71 ................................................................................ 52
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Page
Chapter III—Continued
3.1. Hearings before the Full Committee —Continued
3.1(x). June 12, 2020—The Role of AFG and SAFER Grants in
COVID–19 Response. Hearing Volume No. 116–73 ............................ 52
3.1(y). July 14, 2020—Sweltering in Place: COVID–19, Extreme Heat,
and Environmental Justice. Hearing Volume No. 116–76 ................. 53
3.2. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Energy .............................. 53
3.2(a). February 26, 2019—The Future of ARPA–E. Hearing Volume
No. 116–2 ................................................................................................ 53
3.2(b). March 7, 2019—The Energy Water Nexus: Drier Watts and
Cheaper Drops. Hearing Volume No. 116–5 ........................................ 54
3.2(c). May 3, 2019—FIELD HEARING: How the Domestic Nuclear
Industry Boosts Local Economies, Curbs Emissions, and Strength-
ens National Security. Hearing Volume No. 116–14 .......................... 54
3.2(d). May 15, 2019—Advancing the Next Generation of Solar and
Wind Energy Technologies. Hearing Volume No. 116–18 .................. 55
3.2(e). June 19, 2019—Fossil Energy Research: Enabling our Clean
Energy Future. Hearing Volume No. 116–29 ...................................... 55
3.2(f). July 17, 2019—The Future of Electricity Delivery: Modernizing
and Securing Our Nation’s Electricity Grid. Hearing Volume No.
116–40 ..................................................................................................... 56
3.2(g). September 18, 2019—The Next Mile: Technology Pathways
to Accelerate Sustainability within the Transportation Sector.
Hearing Volume No. 116–45 ................................................................. 56
3.2(h). November 14, 2019—Water and Geothermal Power: Unearth-
ing the Next Wave of Energy Innovation. Hearing Volume No.
116–55 ..................................................................................................... 56
3.2(i). November 22, 2019—FIELD HEARING: The Future of Ad-
vanced Carbon Capture Research and Development. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–58 ..................................................................................... 57
3.2(j). December 10, 2019—Research and Innovation to Address the
Critical Materials Challenge. Hearing Volume No. 116–61 ............... 57
3.2(k). January 15, 2020—The Department of Energy’s Office of
Science: Exploring the Next Frontiers in Energy Research and
Scientific Discovery. Hearing Volume No. 116–63 .............................. 58
3.2(l). July 17, 2020—From Lab to Market: Accelerating our Progress
toward Economic Recovery and a Clean Energy Future. Hearing
Volume No. 116–77 ................................................................................ 58
3.2(m). September 11, 2020—Biological Research at the Department
of Energy: Leveraging DOE’s Unique Capabilities to Respond to
the COVID–19 Pandemic. Hearing Volume No. 116–80 .................... 59
3.3. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Environment ................... 59
3.3(a). February 27, 2019—Sea Change: Impacts of Climate Change
on Our Oceans and Coasts. Hearing Volume No. 116–3 .................... 59
3.3(b). April 30, 2019—A Review of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request. Hearing
Volume No. 116–12 ................................................................................ 60
3.3(c). May 16, 2019—The Future of Forecasting: Building a Stronger
U.S. Weather Enterprise. Hearing Volume No. 116–20 ..................... 60
3.3(d). June 5, 2019—Ocean Exploration: Diving to New Depths and
Discoveries. Hearing Volume No. 116–25 ............................................ 60
3.3(e). July 22, 2019—FIELD HEARING: Weathering the Storm: Im-
proving Hurricane Resiliency through Research. Hearing Volume
No. 116–26 .............................................................................................. 61
3.3(f). October 23, 2019—Space Weather: Advancing Research, Moni-
toring, and Forecasting Capabilities. Hearing Volume No. 116–
52 ............................................................................................................. 61
3.3(g). November 20, 2019—A Task of EPIC Proportions: Reclaiming
U.S. Leadership in Weather Modeling and Prediction. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–57 ..................................................................................... 62
3.3(h). February 27, 2020—An Examination of Federal Flood Maps
in a Changing Climate. Hearing Volume No. 116–70 ........................ 62
3.3(i). September 30, 2020—Coping with Compound Crises: Extreme
Weather, Social Injustice, and a Global Pandemic. Hearing Volume
No. 116–83 .............................................................................................. 63
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Page
Chapter III—Continued
3.4. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight ..................................................................................................... 63
3.4(a). March 27, 2019—EPA IRIS Program: Reviewing its Progress
and Roadblocks Ahead. Hearing Volume No. 116–9 ........................... 63
3.4(b). May 21, 2019—The Need for Resilience: Preparing America’s
Transportation Infrastructure for Climate Change. Hearing Volume
No. 116–22 .............................................................................................. 64
3.4(c). June 25, 2019—Election Security: Voting Technology
Vulnerabilities. Hearing Volume No. 116–31 ...................................... 64
3.4(d). July 16, 2019—Environmental Protection Agency Advisory
Committees: How Science Should inform Decisions. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–38 ..................................................................................... 65
3.4(e). September 26, 2019—Online Imposters and Disinformation.
Hearing Volume No. 116–47 ................................................................. 65
3.4(f). October 15, 2019—FIELD HEARING: Addressing the Lead
Crisis through Innovation & Technology. Hearing Volume No. 116–
50 ............................................................................................................. 65
3.4(g). February 5, 2020—Management and Spending Challenges
within the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy. Hearing Volume No. 116–66 ............................... 66
3.4(h). June 19, 2020—Repurposing Therapeutic Drugs for COVID–
19: Research Challenges and Opportunities. Hearing Volume No.
116–74 ..................................................................................................... 66
3.4(i). July 28, 2020—The Role of Technology in Countering Traf-
ficking in Persons. Hearing Volume No. 116–78 ................................. 67
3.4(j). September 23, 2020—Data for Decision-Making: Responsible
Management of Data During COVID–19 and Beyond. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–82 ..................................................................................... 67
3.5. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Research and Tech-
nology ........................................................................................................... 68
3.5(a). March 6, 2019—Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Science and
Technology. Hearing Volume No. 116–4 .............................................. 68
3.5(b). March 26, 2019—Revitalizing American Leadership in Ad-
vanced Manufacturing. Hearing Volume No. 116–8 ........................... 68
3.5(c). April 9, 2019—A Review of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request. Hearing Volume
No. 116–11 .............................................................................................. 69
3.5(d). April 30, 2019—Closing the Loop: Emerging Technologies in
Plastics Recycling. Hearing Volume No. 116–13 ................................. 69
3.5(e). May 8, 2019—A Review of the National Science Foundation
Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request. Hearing Volume No. 116–15 ....... 70
3.5(f). July 11, 2019—Bumper to Bumper: The Need for a National
Surface Transportation Research Agenda. Hearing Volume No.
116–36 ..................................................................................................... 70
3.5(g). July 17, 2019—Scientific Integrity in Federal Agencies. Hear-
ing Volume No. 116–39 ......................................................................... 70
3.5(h). July 25, 2019—Benign by Design: Innovations in Sustainable
Chemistry. Hearing Volume No. 116–42 ............................................. 71
3.5(i). September 24, 2019—Artificial Intelligence and the Future
of Work. Hearing Volume No. 116–48 ................................................. 71
3.5(j). October 25, 2019—FIELD HEARING: Smart Mobility: It’s a
Community Issue. Hearing Volume No. 116–51 ................................. 72
3.5(k). December 4, 2019—Calm Before the Storm: Reauthorizing
the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Hearing Vol-
ume No. 116–59 ..................................................................................... 72
3.5(l). February 5, 2020—America’s Seed Fund: A Review of SBIR
and STTR. Hearing Volume No. 116–65 .............................................. 73
3.5(m). February 11, 2020—More Hires, Fewer Hacks: Developing
the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce. Hearing Volume No. 116–67 ...... 73
3.5(n). March 11, 2020—Reauthorization of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology. Hearing Volume No. 116–72 .............. 74
3.5(o). September 9, 2020—The Impact of the COVID–19 Crisis on
University Research. Hearing Volume No. 116–79 ............................. 74
3.6. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics 75
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Page
Chapter III—Continued
3.6. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Space and Aero-
nautics—Continued
3.6(a). May 8, 2019—Keeping Our Sights on Mars: A Review of
National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Deep Space Ex-
ploration Programs and Lunar Proposal. Hearing Volume No. 116–
16 ............................................................................................................. 75
3.6(b). June 11, 2019—Discovery on the Frontiers of Space: Exploring
National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Science Mission.
Hearing Volume No. 116–27 ................................................................. 75
3.6(c). June 26, 2019—Exploring National Aeronautics and Space
Administration’s Aeronautics Mission: Enabling the Trans-
formation of Aviation. Hearing Volume No. 116–33 ........................... 76
3.6(d). July 10, 2019—A Review of Exploring National Aeronautics
and Space Administration’s Plans for the International Space Sta-
tion and Future Activities in Low Earth Orbit. Hearing Volume
No. 116–34 .............................................................................................. 76
3.6(e). July 25, 2019—The Commercial Space Landscape: Innovation,
Market, and Policy. Hearing Volume No. 116–42 ............................... 76
3.6(f). September 18, 2019—Developing Core Capabilities for Deep
Space Exploration: An Update on NASA’s SLS, Orion, and Explo-
ration Ground Systems. Hearing Volume No. 116–44 ........................ 77
3.6(g). November 13, 2019—Keeping Our Sights on Mars Part 2:
Structuring a Moon-Mars Program for Success. Hearing Volume
No. 116–54 .............................................................................................. 77
3.6(h). February 11, 2020—Space Situational Awareness: Key Issues
in an Evolving Landscape. Hearing Volume No. 116–68 ................... 78
3.6(i). June 23, 2020—R&D to Support Healthy Air Travel in the
COVID–19 Era and Beyond. Hearing Volume No. 116–75 ................ 78
3.6(j). September 18, 2020—Cybersecurity at NASA: Ongoing Chal-
lenges and Emerging Issues for Increased Telework During
COVID–19. Hearing Volume No. 116–81 ............................................ 79
Chapter IV: Appendix ......................................................................................... 79
4.1. History of the Committee ......................................................................... 79
4.2. Views and Estimates of the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology for FY 2020 ........................................................................................ 83
4.2(a). Minority Views and Estimates for FY 2020 ....................................... 89
4.3. Views and Estimates of the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology for FY 2021 ........................................................................................ 96
4.3(a) Minority Views and Estimates for FY 2021 ........................................ 96
4.4. Oversight plan for the 116th Congress .................................................... 100
4.5. History of Appointments ........................................................................... 106
4.6. Rules of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology ................. 108
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Union Calendar No. 603
116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–719
REPORT OF ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY
JANUARY 2, 2021.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State
of the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. JOHNSON, from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, submitted the following
R E P O R T
Chapter I: Legislation Enacted into Law
1.1. P.L. 116–92, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2020 (including: H.R. 2397, American Manufacturing Lead-
ership Act; H.R. 3038, Securing American Science and Tech-
nology Act of 2019)
Purpose
The purpose of P.L. 116–92 is to authorize the activities of the
Department of Defense and the defense capabilities of the Depart-
ment of Energy. Significant to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology’s interests, this law contains the texts of H.R. 2397
and H.R. 3038.
The purpose of H.R. 2397 is to amend the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act to reauthorize the network for man-
ufacturing innovation and make changes to the implementation of
the network. These changes include an increase in activities in
workforce development and outreach to small manufacturers, and
the development of network-wide performance metrics.
The purpose of H.R. 3038 is to establish an interagency working
group to coordinate activities and develop policy guidance to protect
federally funded research and development from foreign inter-
ference, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
S. 1790, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2020, was introduced by Senator James M. Inhofe on June 11,
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2019. The bill was reported to the Senate on June 11, 2019. On
June 27, 2019, the Senate considered S. 1790, and the bill passed
the amendment by a record vote of 86–8.
On May 2, 2019, Adam Smith introduced H.R. 2500, National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. On June 19, 2019,
H.R. 2500 was reported to the full House. On July 12, 2019, H.R.
2500 passed the House by a record vote of 220–197.
On September 19, 2019, S. 1790 was passed in the House by
Unanimous Consent and a conference was requested. On December
9, 2019, the conference committee filed a conference report. That
conference agreement was approved by the House on December 11,
2019, by a record vote of 377–48. On December 17, 2019, the con-
ference agreement was approved by the Senate by a record vote of
86–8.
On December 20, 2019 S. 1790 was signed by the President and
became Public Law 116–92.
1.2. P.L. 116–94, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020
(including: H.R. 5213, NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension
Act of 2019)
Purpose
The purpose of P.L. 116–94 is to fund certain activities of the
federal government for fiscal year 2020, and other purposes. Sig-
nificant to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s in-
terests, this law contains the text of H.R. 5213 in Division I, Title
VI. The purpose of H.R. 5213 is to extend the enhanced use leasing
authority for NASA through December 31, 2021.
Also of note, is that Division I, Title VII contains an extension
of NASA’s exemption to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Non-
proliferation Act through December 31, 2025.
Legislative History
On November 21, 2019, Kendra S. Horn introduced H.R. 5213,
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology.
H.R. 1865 was introduced in the House by Bill Pascrell Jr. on
March 25, 2019. At that time, the bill was titled: ‘‘National Law
Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act.’’ It was consid-
ered in the House on October 28, 2019, under suspension of the
rules and passed by voice vote. On November 12, 2019, the Senate
considered the bill and it passed by unanimous consent.
On December 17, 2019, the House passed the bill again, this time
amending it to include consolidated appropriations (including the
provisions related to NASA). It passed by a roll call vote of 297–
120. On December 19, 2019, the Senate passed the bill by a vote
of 71–23.
On December 20, 2019, the President signed H.R. 1865, and it
became Public Law 116–94.
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1.3. P.L. 116–97, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act (H.R.
3196)
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to designate the Large Synoptic Survey
Telescope (LSST) as the ‘‘Vera C. Rubin Observatory’’.
Legislative History
On June 11, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson intro-
duced H.R. 3196, which was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology. The Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology met to consider H.R. 3196 on Thursday, June 20, 2019
and the bill was ordered reported by voice vote. H.R. 3196 was re-
ported to the House on June 27, 2019.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 3196 was considered in the House under
suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
On December 18, 2019, H.R. 3196 was passed by the Senate by
unanimous consent.
On December 20, 2019, H.R. 3196 was signed by the President
and became Public Law 116–97.
1.4. P.L. 116–102, Building Blocks of STEM Act (H.R. 1665/S. 737)
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1665 is to direct the National Science Foun-
dation (NSF) to more equitably allocate funding for research in the
Discovery Research Pre-K–12 (DRK–12) program to studies that in-
clude a focus on early childhood (birth through age 10). In addition,
the bill authorizes two NSF grant programs.
Legislative History
On March 11, 2019, Haley Stevens introduced H.R. 1665, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 1665 was considered by the House under
suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
On March 11, 2019, Senator Jacky Rosen introduced S. 737, the
Senate companion to H.R. 1665. On August 16, 2019, S. 737 was
reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation to the Senate.
On September 26, 2019, the Senate passed S. 737 by voice vote.
On December 9, 2019, the House considered S. 737 under sus-
pension of the rules and the bill passed by voice vote.
On December 24, 2019, S. 737 was signed by the President and
became P.L. 116–102.
1.5. P.L. 116–115, Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (H.R.
425/S. 153)
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 425 is to promote veteran involvement in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) edu-
cation and careers, computer science, and scientific research.
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Legislative History
On January 10, 2019, Neal P. Dunn introduced H.R. 425, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On February 25, 2019, H.R. 425 was considered under suspension
of the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
On January 16, 2019, Senator Marco Rubio introduced S. 153,
the Senate companion to H.R. 425. On December 5, 2019, S. 153
was reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation to the Senate.
On December 18, 2019, the Senate passed S. 153 by unanimous
consent.
On January 27, 2020, S. 153 was considered in the House under
suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
On February 11, 2020, S. 153 was signed by the President and
became P.L. 116–115.
1.6. P.L. 116–181, PROSWIFT Act (H.R. 5260/S. 881)
Purpose
The PROSWIFT Act provides for the continued advancement of
heliophysics research, collection of new data and observations, and
improvements to our modeling and forecasting of space weather.
This bill also clearly delineates the roles and responsibilities of the
key federal agencies involved in space weather, including the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration, the National Science Founda-
tion, the Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion, the US Geological Survey, and the Office of Science and Tech-
nology Policy.
Legislative History
On November 22, 2019, Ed Perlmutter introduced H.R. 5260,
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services and
Natural Resources. On October 23, 2019, The Subcommittee on En-
vironment and the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a
joint hearing entitled, ‘‘Space Weather: Advancing Research, Moni-
toring, and Forecasting Capabilities.’’ On January 9, 2020, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology met to consider H.R.
5260, and the bill was ordered reported by the Committee by voice
vote.
On March 26, 2019, Senator Gary C. Peters introduced S. 881,
the Senate companion to H.R. 5260. The Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation reported S. 881 to the Sen-
ate. House and Senate committees pre-conferenced S. 881 and H.R.
5260.
On July 27, 2020, S. 881 was considered by the Senate and
passed by unanimous consent.
On September 16, 2020, S. 881 was considered in the House
under suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
On October 21, 2020, S. 881 was signed by the President and be-
came Public Law 116–181.
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1.7. P.L. 116–207, Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement
Act of 2019 (H.R. 1668)
Purpose
The Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019
would require enhanced levels of cybersecurity for federally pro-
cured Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Specifically, the bill tasks NIST with creating recommendations
for the appropriate use and management of IoT devices, including
information security requirements. The bill tasks OMB with
issuing guidelines for federal agencies consistent with NIST’s rec-
ommendations. Finally, H.R. 1668 requires NIST and OMB to pub-
lish guidance on IoT security vulnerabilities.
Legislative History
On March 11, 2019, Robin L. Kelly introduced H.R. 1668, which
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in
addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On
September 14, 2020, the Committee on Oversight and Reform re-
ported H.R. 1668 to the House and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology was discharged from further consideration.
On September 21, 2020, H.R. 1668 was considered in the House
under suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
On November 17, 2020, H.R. 1668 was passed by the Senate by
unanimous consent.
On December 4, 2020, H.R. 1668 was signed by the President
and became Public Law 116–207.
1.8. P.L. 116–224, Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (S. 1982)
Purpose
The SOS 2.0 Act seeks to improve the domestic response to ma-
rine debris, incentivize international engagement on marine debris,
and strengthen domestic waste management infrastructure to pre-
vent the creation of new marine debris.
Legislative History
On June 26, 2019, Senator Dan Sullivan introduced S. 1982,
which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation. On November 13, 2019 the Committee ordered the
bill to be reported favorably with an amendment and on January
9, 2020 the Senate passed S. 1982 by voice vote.
In the House, S. 1982 was referred to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on
Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce,
Science, Space, and Technology, and Agriculture. The Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology was discharged from further
consideration on September 28, 2020. On October 1, 2020, an
amended S. 1982 was considered under suspension of the rules by
the House, and the bill was passed by voice vote. On October 19,
2020 the bill was received with the House amendment by the Sen-
ate. Then the Senate agreed to the House amendment to the bill
by Unanimous Consent on December 1, 2020.
On December 18, 2020, S. 1982 was signed by the President and
became Public Law 116–224.
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1.9. P.L. 116–221, National Sea Grant College Program
Amendments Act of 2020 (S. 910)
Purpose
The purpose of the National Sea Grant College Program Amend-
ments Act is to amend the National Sea Grant College Program
Act to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program
through 2024 and to improve Sea Grant’s ability to enhance the
practical use and conservation of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes
resources through research, extension, and education activities.
Legislative History
S. 910 was introduced on March 27, 2019, by Senator Wicker and
was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate. On April 3, 2019, the Committee met in
open Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 910 reported
favorably with an amendment.
On December 6, 2019 the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology exchanged jurisdictional correspondence on H.R. 2405,
the Corresponding House bill to S. 910.
On September 30, 2020 S. 910 Passed the Senate with an
amendment by voice vote. October 1, 2020, the bill was held at the
desk in the House. On November 6, 2020 the Bill was considered
in the House under suspension of the rules as amended and passed
by voice vote. On December 2, 2020 the Senate agreed to the House
amendment to the Bill by Voice Vote.
On December 18, 2020, S. 910 was signed by the President and
became Public Law 116–216.
1.10. P.L. 116–XXX, Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research
Act of 2020 (S. 914)
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal
and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, to clarify the authority
of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration with respect to post-storm assessments, and to require
the establishment of a National Water Center, and for other pur-
poses.
Legislative History
On March 27, 2019, Senator Roger F. Wicker introduced S. 914.
On December 5, 2019, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported S. 914 to the Senate. On July 30, 2020, the
Senate considered and passed S. 914 by Unanimous Consent.
On December 3, 2020, S. 914, as amended, was considered in the
House under suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
On December 16, 2020, the Senate considered S. 914, as amend-
ed by the House, and passed the bill by Unanimous Consent.
On December 21, 2020, S. 914 was submitted to the President.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action had been
reported.***
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1.11. P.L. 116–XXX, IOGAN Act (H.R. 4355/S. 2904)
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for research on manipulated
or synthesized content and information authenticity, including out-
put of generative adversarial networks, otherwise known as
deepfakes and to encourage public-private partnerships to develop
standards for detecting and identifying such content.
Legislative History
On September 17, 2019, Representative Anthony Gonzalez intro-
duced H.R. 4355, Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial
Networks Act (‘‘IOGAN Act’’). The bill was referred solely to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On September 25, 2019, the Committee favorably reported the
bill, H.R. 4355, as amended, to the House with the recommendation
that the bill be approved. On December 9, 2019, H.R. 4355 was
considered under suspension of the rules and was agreed to by
voice vote.
On November 20, 2019, Senator Catherine Masto Cortez intro-
duced S. 2904, the Senate companion to H.R. 4355. On November
9, 2020, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
reported S. 2904 to the Senate. On November 18, 2020, the Senate
considered and passed S. 2904 by Unanimous Consent.
On December 8, 2020, the House considered and passed S. 2904
by Unanimous Consent.
On December 23, 2020, S. 2904 was signed by the President.
***At the time of filing of this report, a Public Law number had
not been issued.***
1.12. P.L. 116–XXX, One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in
Space Act (S. 1694)
Purpose
The purpose of the ‘‘One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage
in Space Act’’ is to require NASA to add recommendations and in-
form other relevant agencies of information relating to the principle
of due regard and the limitation of harmful interference with Apol-
lo landing site artifacts, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
S. 1694 was introduced on May 23, 2019, by Gary Peters and was
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation. On July 10, 2019 the Committee ordered the bill to be re-
ported favorably with an amendment and on July 18, 2019 the Sen-
ate passed S. 1982 by voice vote.
On July 16, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson intro-
duced H.R. 3766, One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in
Space Act.
In the House, S. 1694 was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, and then to the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs. On December 17, 2020, an amended S. 1694 was considered
under suspension of the rules by the House, and the bill was
passed by voice vote.
On December 19, 2020, the Senate passed S. 1694 by voice vote.
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On December 21, 2020, S. 1694 was presented to the President.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action had been
reported.***
1.13. P.L. 116–XXX, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R.
133, including the text of the Energy Act of 2020)
Purpose
The purpose of this law is to fund the activities of the Federal
Government for fiscal year 2021, and other purposes. Of note is
that this law contains a number of energy and environment provi-
sions in the Committee’s jurisdiction. Division S of the bill contains
a number of environmental research programs in the Committee’s
jurisdiction including the text of H.R. 1166, USE IT Act.
Division Z consists of the Energy Act of 2020. This bill is the
final product of negotiations related to the House passed H.R. 4447,
the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. Included in Division
Z are the following bills which were led by the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology: H.R. 34, the Energy and Water Re-
search Integration Act (E.B. Johnson); H.R. 617, the Department of
Energy Veterans’ Health Initiative Act (Norman); H.R. 2986, the
Better Energy Storage Technologies Act (Foster); H.R. 3597, the
Solar Energy Research and Development Act (McAdams); H.R.
3607, the Fossil Energy Research and Development Act (Veasey);
H.R. 3609, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act
(Tonko); H.R. 4091, the ARPA–E Reauthorization Act (E.B. John-
son); H.R. 4230, the Clean Industrial Technology Act (CITA)
(Casten); H.R. 4481, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and
American Jobs Act (Swalwell); H.R. 4733, the Low-Dose Radiation
Research Act (Posey); H.R. 5428, the Grid Modernization Research
and Development Act (Lamb); H.R. 5374, the Advanced Geothermal
Research and Development Act (Lucas); H.R. 6084, the Water
Power Research and Development Act (Bonamici); H.R. 6097, the
Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act (Lamb); and H.R.
8273, the Energizing Technology Transfer Act (E.B. Johnson). The
division also includes programs on produced water research devel-
opment and fusion energy research and development.
Legislative History
For further information about the legislative history of the con-
stituent bills in Division Z, please see Chapter 2 generally.
On January 3, 2019, Henry Cuellar introduced H.R. 133, United
States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act. On January 10, 2019,
H.R. 133 was considered by the House under suspension of the
rules and passed by voice vote. On January 15, 2020, H.R. 133 was
considered by the Senate and passed by Unanimous Consent.
On December 21, 2020, H.R. 133 was considered in the House
pursuant to a rule (H. Res. 1271). Pursuant to the rule, the text
of H.R. 133 was replaced with the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2021. H.R. 133 passed the House by a record vote of 359–53.
On December 22, 2020, the Senate considered H.R. 133, and the
bill passed by a record vote of 92–6.
On December 27, 2020, H.R. 133 was signed by the President.
***At the time of filing of this report, a Public Law number had
not been issued.***
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1.14. P.L. 116–XXX, ‘‘The William M. (Mac) Thornberry’’ National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395/S. 4049)
Purpose
The purpose of ‘‘The William M. (Mac) Thornberry’’ National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (‘‘NDAA’’) is to author-
ize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the
Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other pur-
poses. It also authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for mili-
tary activities of the Department of Defense, for military construc-
tion, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to pre-
scribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes.
Legislative History
On March 26, 2020, Representative Adam Smith introduced H.R.
6395, which was referred to the House Committee on Armed Serv-
ices and then to its Subcommittees. By June 23, 2020 all Sub-
committees had held their markups and forwarded the Bill to the
Full Committee by voice vote. On July 1, 2020 the Full Committee
marked up the Bill and ordered to be reported amended by record
vote, 56–0.
On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was considered under the provisions
of rule H. Res. 1053 and on July 21, 2020 the amended bill passed
the House by a record vote of 295–125.
On June 23, 2020, Senator James Inhofe introduced S. 4049, Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which was
referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services. S. 4049 was
moved for consideration before the Senate on June 29, 2020 by
record vote of 89–4. Then on July 23, 2020 an amended S. 4049
passed the Senate by record vote of 86–14.
On September 16, 2020, the House Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology transmitted a letter to the Speaker of the House
requesting the appointment of conferees from the Committee to the
anticipated House-Senate conference on the NDAA to certain provi-
sions of H.R. 6395
On November 16, 2020 H.R. 6395 passed the Senate with an
amendment by voice vote. Rep. Smith asked for unanimous consent
that the House disagree to the Senate’s amendment and request a
conference, which was agreed to without objection.
On November 18, 2020 the Speaker of the House appointed con-
ferees from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for
consideration of the following provisions of the House NDAA Bill
H.R. 6395 section 229, subtitle D of title II of division A, sections
327, 333, 341, 1744, 1771, 1806, 1807, 1821, 1824, 1825, division
E, sections 5502 and 10104. Furthermore, conferees were appointed
for sections 318, 1098, 1099, subtitle C of title LII of division E,
secs. 5231–38, and 6087 of the Senate NDAA Bill for FY 2021, S.
4049.
Several provisions that the Committee had clear jurisdictional in-
terest and had requested appointed conferees for were denied con-
ferees by the Parliamentarians according to their protocol of which
did not respect the similarity to corresponding bills referred to the
Committee and the substantial policy implications of these provi-
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sions in the House NDAA Bill H.R. 6395, theses sections were 229,
233, 247, 272, 328, 330, 341, 1633, 1705, 1721–1723, 1754, 5107,
5231–5238, and 9412. In S. 4049 bill the provisions included Sub-
title H of title LX of Division E.
Of the provisions that the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology had conferees appointed to, the following sections ulti-
mately made it into the final conference report and Public Law,
(please note that by including these provisions into the conference
report conforming changes were made to their locations in the bill
therefore these are references to the location of provisions in the
final Public Law) sections 223, 261–267 (Subtitle E of title II of di-
vision A), 334, 338, 1055, 9413, 9401–9407, 9411, 9415, 9902, 9906,
9907, 5001–5501, and 8304.
For further information about the legislative history of the con-
stituent bills (H.R. 2051, H.R. 6208, H.R. 6216, H.R. 7139, H.R.
7560, H.R. 7713, H.R. 7931, H.R. 8634) located in sections 261–267
(Subtitle E of title II of division A), 332, 338, 1055, 1613, 5001–
5501, 9401–9407, 9414 (respectively) of Public Law 116–XXX
please see Chapter 2 generally.
On December 3, 2020 the Conferees agreed to file a Conference
Report on H.R. 6395. On December 8, 2020 the Conference Report
on H.R. 6395 was agreed to in the House by a record vote of 335–
78–1. And then on December 11, 2020 the conference report on
H.R. 6395 was agreed to in the Senate by a record vote of 84–13.
On December 23, 2020, H.R. 6395 was vetoed by the President.
On December 28, 2020, the House voted to override the Presi-
dent’s veto of H.R. 6395 by a vote of 322–Y and 87–N.
On January 1, 2021, the Senate voted to override the President’s
veto of H.R. 6395 by a vote of 81–Y and 13–N.
***At the time of filing of this report, a Public Law number had
not been issued.***
1.15. P.L. 116–XXX, National Landslide Preparedness Act (H.R.
8810)
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1261 is to establish a national program to
identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, authorize the ex-
isting national 3D Elevation Program, and authorize studying,
mitigating, and restoring instances of ground subsidence.
Legislative History
On February 14, 2019, Suzan K. DelBene introduced H.R. 1261,
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in
addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On
June 3, 2019, the Committee on Natural Resources reported H.R.
1261 to the House and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology was discharged from further consideration. On June 3, 2019,
H.R. 1261 was considered in the House under suspension of the
rules and passed by voice vote.
On July 30, 2020, the Senate passed S. 529, the Senate com-
panion to H.R. 1261, by unanimous consent.
On November 24, 2020, Suzan K. DelBene introduced H.R. 8810,
which was a reintroduction of H.R. 1261. The bill was reintroduced
due to difficulties in negotiations with the Senate. On December 3,
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2020, the House considered H.R. 8810 under suspension of the
rules and the bill passed by voice vote.
On December 16, 2020, the Senate considered H.R. 8810 and the
bill passed by Unanimous Consent.
On December 24, 2020, H.R. 8810 was presented to the Presi-
dent.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action had been
reported.***
1.16. P.L. 116–XXX, Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility Act (S. 2472)
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to rename the NASA John H. Glenn
Research Center at Plum Brook Station in Ohio as the ‘‘NASA
John H. Glenn Research Center at the Neil A. Armstrong Test Fa-
cility.’’
Legislative History
On September 12, 2019, Senator Rob Portman introduced S.
2472. On February 27, 2020, the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation reported S. 2472 to the Senate. On June 24,
2020, the Senate considered S. 2472 and the bill passed by Unani-
mous Consent.
On December 16, 2020, the House considered S. 2472 under sus-
pension of the rules and the bill passed by voice vote.
On December 30, 2020, S. 2472 was signed by the President.
***At the time of filing of this report, a Public Law number had
not been issued.***
1.17. P.L. 116–XXX, Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act
(H.R. 4704)
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for multidisciplinary re-
search on the science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and
understanding of issues that may be associated with several as-
pects of suicide including intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to
areas such as wellbeing, resilience, and vulnerability.
Legislative History
On October 16, 2019, Representative Ben McAdams introduced
H.R. 4704, the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act. The bill
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On November 14, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology favorably reported the bill, H.R. 4704, as amended, to
the House with the recommendation that the bill be approved.
On January 27, 2020, H.R. 4704 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules, and upon demand of yeas and nays, was agreed
to, 385–8.
On December 14, 2020, the Senate agreed to pass an amended
H.R. 4704 by unanimous consent.
On December 31, 2020, the House passed H.R. 4704 by unani-
mous consent.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action had been
reported.***
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1.18. P.L. 116–XXX, EFFORT Act (H.R. 3153)
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 3153 is to direct the National Science Foun-
dation (NSF) to support research related to opioid addiction.
Legislative History
On June 6, 2019, Representative Jennifer Wexton, introduced
H.R. 3153, the Expanding Findings for Federal Opioid Research
and Treatment Act or the EFFORT Act. The bill was referred sole-
ly to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On June 20, 2019, the Committee favorably reported the bill,
H.R. 3153, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be
approved. The motion was agreed to by a voice vote. On July 23,
2019, H.R. 3153 was considered under suspension of the rules and
was agreed to by voice vote.
On December 22, 2020, the Senate passed H.R. 3153 by voice
vote.
On December 31, 2020, the House passed H.R. 3153 by Unani-
mous Consent.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action had been
reported.***
Chapter II: Other Committee Legislation (bold in-
dicates bills primarily referred to the Com-
mittee on Science space and Technology)
2.1. H.R. 1, For the People Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1 is to expand voter access, ensure election
integrity, and increase election security for federal elections. The
bill also reforms campaign finance laws and ethics laws for the
three branches of government.
Elements of H.R. 1 address and update NIST’s role under the
Help America Vote Act.
Legislative History
H.R. 1 was introduced by John Sarbanes on January 3, 2019.
The bill was referred to the Committee on House Administration,
and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Se-
lect); Judiciary; Oversight and Reform; Science, Space, and Tech-
nology; Education and Labor; Ways and Means; Financial Services;
Ethics; and, Homeland Security. H.R. 1 was reported from the
Committee on House Administration on March 4, 2019, and all
other committees were discharged of consideration of the bill. The
House considered H.R. 1 from March 6–8, 2019, and the bill passed
the House by record vote of 234–193 on March 8, 2019.
2.2. H.R. 34, Energy and Water Research Integration Act of
2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 34 is to ensure the intensity of energy and
water is considered in the Department of Energy’s energy research,
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development, and demonstration programs to help guarantee effi-
cient, reliable, and sustainable delivery of energy and clean water
resources.
Legislative History
H.R. 34 was introduced by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
on January 3, 2019, and the bill was referred solely to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Energy Sub-
committee held a hearing on March 7, 2019 to examine energy and
water nexus issues in support of H.R. 34. The Subcommittee on
Energy met to consider H.R. 34 on March 27, 2019. The bill was
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote. The Full Committee
met to consider H.R. 34 on May 1, 2019. The bill was ordered re-
ported by voice vote.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 34 was considered under suspension of
the rules and the bill was passed by voice vote.
On September 23–24, 2020, the House considered H.R. 4447, the
Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which contained the text
of H.R. 34. H.R. 4447 was considered under the provisions of rule
H. Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill passed the House
by a record vote of 220–185.
For further information on H.R. 34, please refer to entry 1.13
from Chapter 1.
2.3 H.R. 36, Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of
2019
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for research on the causes,
consequences and prevalence of, as well as interventions for pre-
venting, sexual harassment in the STEM workforce. The bill also
directs coordination among federal science agencies efforts to ad-
dress sexual harassment involving federally funded researchers.
Legislative History
H.R. 36 was introduced by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
on January 3, 2019, and the bill was referred solely to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology. On Wednesday, June 12,
2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a
hearing entitled Combating Sexual Harassment in Science. On
June 20, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
met to consider H.R. 36. The bill was ordered reported by voice
vote. The Committee reported the bill to the House on July 12,
2019.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 36 was considered under suspension of
the rules and passed the House by voice vote.
2.4. H.R. 206, Encouraging Small Business Innovation Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 206 is to revise certain requirements for the
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Tech-
nology Transfer Programs, in part, by including small business in-
vestment companies in the programs.
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Legislative History
H.R. 206 was introduced on January 3, 2019, by Harley Rouda,
and the bill was referred to the Committee on Small Business and
in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On January 14, 2019, H.R. 206 was considered under suspension
of the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
2.5. H.R. 246, Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of
2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 246 is to increase assistance to participants
in the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business
Technology Transfer Programs, in part by including procurement
executives from participating agencies in the SBIR and STTR pro-
grams.
Legislative History
On January 4, 2019, Abby Finkenauer introduced H.R. 246,
which was referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in ad-
dition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On
January 14, 2019, H.R. 246 was considered under suspension of the
rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
2.6. H.R. 335, South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2019
Purpose
H.R. 335 amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Re-
search and Control Act of 1998 to require the Interagency Task
Force on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Hypoxia to produce an
integrated assessment on the causes, consequences, and mitigation
options for HABs and hypoxia in South Florida, and to identify
gaps in research, monitoring and management.
It also requires the Task Force to develop an action plan, in con-
sultation with local stakeholders, in response to the integrated as-
sessment that details methods for reducing and mitigating HABs
and hypoxia in South Florida, and to provide progress reports on
the implementation of the plan biennially.
Legislative History
On January 8, 2019, Brian J. Mast introduced H.R. 335, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources. On March
7, 2019, the Environment Subcommittee held a hearing focused on
climate change impacts on our nation’s oceans and coasts, where
harmful algal blooms were discussed as a major associated impact.
On July 23, 2019, the Full Committee met to consider H.R. 335,
and it was ordered reported from the Committee by voice vote. The
bill was reported to the House on September 11, 2019, and the
Committee on Natural Resources was discharged of consideration
of the bill.
On September 26, 2019, H.R. 335 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
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2.7. H.R. 425, Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 425 is to promote veteran involvement in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) edu-
cation and careers, computer science, and scientific research.
Legislative History
On January 10, 2019, Neal P. Dunn introduced H.R. 425, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On February 25, 2019, H.R. 425 was considered under suspension
of the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
For further information on the legislative history of H.R. 425 (S.
153), see Chapter I.
2.8. H.R. 539, Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2019
Purpose
H.R. 539 expands participation in the National Science Founda-
tion’s Innovation Corps Program to Small Business Innovation Pro-
gram grantees and makes available specialized I-Corps courses in
all aspects of preparing a product to go to market.
Legislative History
On January 14, 2019, Daniel Lipinski introduced H.R. 539,
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business. On
February 25, 2019, H.R. 539 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and the bill passed the House by a record vote of 385–
18.
2.9. H.R. 542, Supporting Research and Development for First
Responders Act
Purpose
H.R. 542 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize
the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) with-
in the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology
Directorate (S&T).
Legislative History
On January 14, 2019, Kathleen M. Rice introduced H.R. 542,
which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. On
May 15, 2019, the Committee on Homeland Security met to con-
sider H.R. 542, and it was ordered reported from the Committee by
voice vote. On June 10, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology exchanged jurisdictional correspondence on H.R.
542.
On June 10, 2019, H.R. 542 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and the bill passed the House by a record vote of 395–
3.
On November 9, 2020, the Senate Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity and Government Affairs favorably reported H.R. 542 to the
Senate.
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2.10. H.R. 617, Department of Energy Veterans’ Health
Initiative Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 617 is to require the Department of Energy
to collaborate with the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct
research to improve veterans’ healthcare.
Legislative History
On January 16, 2019, Ralph Norman introduced H.R. 617, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
and in addition to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 617 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources reported H.R. 617 to the Senate.
The text of H.R. 617 was also included in Section 5502 in H.R.
6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was considered under the provisions
of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on July 21, 2020 the bill passed the
House by a record vote of 295–125. On November 18, 2020 the
Speaker appointed conferees from the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and included Committee members for con-
sideration of Section 5502. This language was taken out of the con-
ference report and added to P.L. 116–XXX, the Consolidated Appro-
priations Act 2021.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
617, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.11. H.R. 988, NEAR Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 988 is to direct the Secretary of Commerce
to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine to produce a study on the impacts of ocean acidification
and other environmental stressors on estuarine environments to
improve our understanding of these impacts and inform manage-
ment and mitigation decisions.
Legislative History
On February 6, 2019, Bill Posey introduced H.R. 988, which was
referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and
in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources. On March 7,
2019, the Environment Subcommittee of the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology held a hearing focused on climate change
impacts on our nation’s oceans and coasts, where ocean acidifica-
tion was discussed as a major associated impact.
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee on Environment met to con-
sider H.R. 988 and three other ocean acidification bills, and H.R.
988 was reported to the Full Committee by voice vote. The Full
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology met to consider H.R.
988 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, and the bill was reported to the
House by voice vote. On May 23, 2019, H.R. 988 was reported to
the House.
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On June 5, 2019, H.R. 988 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
2.12. H.R. 1237, COAST Research Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to reauthorize and update the Federal
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 by ex-
panding the scope of federal ocean acidification and coastal acidifi-
cation research, establishing an independent Ocean Acidification
Advisory Board, establishing and maintaining a data archive sys-
tem for ocean and coastal acidification data, and for other pur-
poses.
Legislative History
On February 14, 2019, Suzanne Bonamici introduced H.R. 1237,
which was referred soley to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology. On March 7, 2019, the Environment Subcommittee
held a hearing focused on climate change impacts on our nation’s
oceans and coasts, where ocean acidification was discussed as a
major associated impact.
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee on Environment met to con-
sider H.R. 1237 and three other ocean acidification bills, and H.R.
1237 was reported to the Full Committee by voice vote. The Full
Committee met to consider H.R. 1237 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019,
and the bill was reported favorably to the House by voice vote. On
May 28, 2019, H.R. 1237 was reported to the House.
On June 5, 2019, H.R. 1237 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
2.13. H.R. 1261 (S. 529, H.R. 8810), National Landslide
Preparedness Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1261 is to establish a national program to
identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, authorize the ex-
isting national 3D Elevation Program, and authorize studying,
mitigating, and restoring instances of ground subsidence.
Legislative History
On February 14, 2019, Suzan K. DelBene introduced H.R. 1261,
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in
addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On
June 3, 2019, the Committee on Natural Resources reported H.R.
1261 to the House and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology was discharged from further consideration. On June 3, 2019,
H.R. 1261 was considered in the House under suspension of the
rules and passed by voice vote.
On July 30, 2020, the Senate passed S. 529, the Senate com-
panion to H.R. 1261, by unanimous consent.
On November 24, 2020, Suzan K. DelBene introduced H.R. 8810,
which was a reintroduction of H.R. 1261. The bill was reintroduced
due to difficulties in negotiations with the Senate. For further in-
formation regarding this bill, see entry 1.15 in Chapter 1.
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2.14. H.R. 1314 (S. 914), Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act Amendments of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1314 is to reauthorize the Integrated Coast-
al and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, and for other pur-
poses.
Legislative History
On February 19, 2019, H.R. 1314 was introduced by Don Young
and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addi-
tion to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H.R.
1314 was reported from the Committee on Natural Resources on
October 11, 2019, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology was discharged of further consideration.
On July 30, 2020, the Senate companion to H.R. 1314, S. 914,
passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
2.15. H.R. 1646, HERO Act
Purpose
H.R. 1646 would require the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (the Secretary) to improve the detection, prevention, and
treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers.
Legislative History
On March 8, 2019, Ami Bera introduced H.R. 1646, which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addi-
tion to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On Sep-
tember 18, 2019, the Committee on Energy and Commerce reported
H.R. 1646 to the House and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology was discharged from further consideration.
On September 21, 2019, H.R. 1646 was considered in the House
under suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
2.16. H.R. 1665 (S. 737), Building Blocks of STEM Act *
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1665 is to direct the National Science Foun-
dation (NSF) to more equitably allocate funding for research in the
Discovery Research Pre-K–12 (DRK–12) program to studies that in-
clude a focus on early childhood (birth through age 10). In addition,
the bill authorizes two NSF grant programs.
Legislative History
On March 11, 2019, Haley Stevens introduced H.R. 1665, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 1665 was considered by the House under
suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
For further information on the legislative history of H.R. 1665 (S.
737), see Public Law 116–102 Chapter I.
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2.17. H.R. 1709, Scientific Integrity Act
Purpose
H.R. 1709 amends the America COMPETES Act to establish, in
law, scientific integrity policies at Federal science agencies, and for
other purposes.
Legislative History
On March 13, 2019, Paul Tonko introduced H.R. 1709, which was
referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On
July 17, 2019, the Research and Technology Subcommittee and the
Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee held a joint hearing
entitled ‘‘Scientific Integrity in Federal Agencies.’’ The Committee
met to consider H.R. 1709 on October 17, 2019, and the bill was
ordered reported to the House by a record vote of 25–096.
On May 15, 2020, the substance of H.R. 1709 passed the House
as part of H.R. 6800, the HEROES Act. On September 24, 2020,
the substance of H.R. 1709 was incorporate into H.R. 4447, the
Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was considered
under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the House by
a record vote of 220–185.
2.18. H.R. 1716, Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification
Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1716 is to direct the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study the socioeconomic
impacts of ocean acidification on coastal communities across the
United States.
Legislative History
On March 13, 2019, Chellie Pingree introduced H.R. 1716, which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On March 7, 2019, the Environment Subcommittee of the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing focused on
climate change impacts on our nation’s oceans and coasts, where
ocean acidification was discussed as a major associated impact.
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee on Environment met to con-
sider H.R. 1716 and three other ocean acidification bills, and H.R.
1716 was reported to the Full Committee by voice vote. The Full
Committee met to consider H.R. 1716 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019,
and the bill was reported to the House by voice vote. On May 23,
2019, H.R. 1716 was reported to the House.
On June 5, 2019, H.R. 1716 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice vote.
2.19. H.R. 1837, United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement
and Regional Security Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1837 is to authorize joint research, coopera-
tion, and security assistance programs between the United States
and Israel.
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Legislative History
On March 21, 2019, Theodore E. Deutch introduced H.R. 1837,
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in ad-
dition to the Committees on Armed Services; Science, Space, and
Technology; Agriculture; Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Home-
land Security; Transportation and Infrastructure; and, Veterans’
Affairs. The Committee on Foreign Affairs considered H.R. 1837 on
July 17, 2019, and ordered the bill reported by voice vote.
On July 23, 2019, H.R. 1837 was considered in the House under
suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.
2.20. H.R. 1921, Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 1921 is to create a federal prize competition
to spur innovation in understanding ocean acidification or devel-
oping management strategies for responding to ocean acidification.
Legislative History
On March 7, 2019, the Environment Subcommittee of the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing focused on
climate change impacts on our nation’s oceans and coasts, where
ocean acidification was discussed as a major associated impact.
On March 27, 2019, Representative Derek Kilmer introduced
H.R. 1921, the Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2019. The bill
was referred solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology.
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee on Environment favorably
reported H.R. 1921, as amended, to the Full Committee. The Full
Committee met to consider H.R. 1921 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
There were no amendments offered to H.R. 1921. The Committee
favorably reported the bill, H.R. 1921 to the House with the rec-
ommendation that the bill be approved.
On June 5, 2019, H.R. 1921 was considered under suspension of
the rules, and upon demand of yeas and nays, was agreed to, 395–
22.
2.21. H.R. 2044, Smart Building Acceleration Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 2044 is to accelerate smart building develop-
ment through the establishment of a Department of Energy (DOE)
Federal Smart Building Program. Under the program, DOE must
implement smart building technology in certain federal buildings
and demonstrate the costs and benefits of smart buildings. In addi-
tion, DOE must conduct (1) a survey of privately owned smart
buildings throughout the United States and evaluate their costs
and benefits, and (2) research and development on barriers to the
integration of advanced building technologies.
Legislative History
Representative Peter Welch introduced H.R. 2044 on April 3,
2019. The bill was referred primarily to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, in addition to the Committee on Transportation
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and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce held a subcommittee
hearing on April 10, 2019, a subcommittee markup on May 16,
2019 and on July 17, 2019 favorably reported the bill, H.R. 2044,
without amendment, to the House with the recommendation that
the bill be approved.
2.22. H.R. 2051, Sustainable Chemistry Research and
Development Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for federal coordination of
activities supporting sustainable chemistry. Rather than focusing
on cleanup and control of waste and hazardous materials, sustain-
able chemistry emphasizes redesigning industrial products and
processes to reduce or eliminate hazards at their source by reduc-
ing toxicity, quantities of waste, and energy consumption.
Legislative History
On April 3, 2019, Representative Daniel Lipinski introduced H.R.
2051, the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of
2019. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and the House Committee on the Budget.
On July 25, 2019 the Subcommittee on Research and Technology
held a hearing to assess the challenges and opportunities for ex-
panding the use of sustainable chemicals, production processes,
and stewardship practices throughout the chemical science and en-
gineering enterprise. The Committee examined the research, tech-
nologies, and strategies that are needed to support the adoption of
sustainable chemistry innovations. The Committee also received
testimony on the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development
Act of 2019.
On October 17, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology favorably reported H.R. 2051, as amended, to the
House with the recommendation that the bill be approved. On Oc-
tober 17, 2019, the Committee on the Budget was discharged of
consideration of the bill.
On December 9, 2019, H.R. 2051 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules and the bill was passed by voice vote.
The text of H.R. 2051 was included as Subtitle E of title II of di-
vision A in H.R. 6395 (Sections 261–267 or Subtitle E of title II of
division A), ‘‘The William M. (Mac) Thornberry’’ National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, for further information re-
garding the legislative history of H.R. 2051, please refer to entry
1.14 in Chapter 1.
2.23. H.R. 2397, American Manufacturing Leadership Act
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to amend the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act to reauthorize the network for man-
ufacturing innovation and make changes to the implementation of
the network. These changes include an increase in activities in
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workforce development and outreach to small manufacturers, and
the development of network-wide performance metrics.
Legislative History
On March 26, 2019, the Honorable Haley Stevens presiding, the
Research and Technology Subcommittee and the Energy Sub-
committee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
held a joint hearing to review the successes and further opportuni-
ties for the Manufacturing USA Institutes to achieve the goal of
improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing. On April 30,
2019, Representative Stevens introduced H.R. 2397, the American
Manufacturing and Leadership Act, to reauthorize the Manufac-
turing USA program and make changes to the implementation of
the program.
On Tuesday, May 1, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology favorably reported the bill, H.R. 2397, as amended, to
the House with the recommendation that the bill be approved. On
July 23, 2019, H.R. 2397 was considered under suspension of the
rules and was agreed to by voice vote.
On December 20, 2019, the National Defense Authorization Act,
amended to include the language from H.R. 2397, was enacted
after Presidential signature (P.L. 116–92).
2.24. H.R. 2405, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments
Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 2405 is to reauthorize and amend the Na-
tional Sea Grant College Program Act.
Legislative History
Representative Jared Huffman, on April 30, 2019, introduced
H.R. 2405. The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources.
On May 8, 2019, the Committee on Natural Resources’ Sub-
committee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a hearing on the
bill.
On September 18, 2019, the Natural Resources Committee or-
dered the bill, as amended, favorably reported to the House of Rep-
resentatives by a roll call vote of 23 yeas and 12 nays. the Natural
Resources Committee Reported the bill on December 5, 2020 and
on December 6, 2019 the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology exchanged jurisdictional correspondence on H.R. 2405.
On September 30, 2020 S. 910, the Senate companion of H.R.
2405 passed the Senate with an amendment by voice vote. On No-
vember 16, 2020 S. 910 was considered in the House under suspen-
sion of the rules as amended and passed by voice vote. On Decem-
ber 2, 2020 the Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Bill
by Voice Vote.
On December 18, 2020, S. 910 was signed by the President and
became Public Law 116–221.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
2405, please refer to PL 116–221 in Chapter 1.
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2.25. H.R. 2528, STEM Opportunities Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for research and evidence-
based interventions to address the underrepresentation of women
and racial and ethnic minority groups in STEM studies and re-
search careers at institutions of higher education and at federal
laboratories.
Legislative History
On May 7, 2019 Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Rank-
ing Member Frank Lucas introduced H.R. 2528, the STEM Oppor-
tunities Act of 2019. The bill was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology.
On June 20, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology favorably reported H.R. 2528, as amended, to the House
with the recommendation that the bill be approved. On September
26, 2019, H.R. 2528 was considered under suspension of the rules
and was agreed to by voice vote.
2.26. H.R. 2722, SAFE Act
Purpose
H.R. 2722, the ‘‘Securing America’s Federal Elections Act’’ or the
‘‘SAFE Act,’’ aims to improve the resilience of election infrastruc-
ture used in federal elections through providing resources to states
and localities to bolster election infrastructure, and implement ad-
ditional cybersecurity protocols.
Legislative History
Representative Zoe Lofgren introduced the ‘‘SAFE Act’’ on June
14, 2019. It was referred to the Committee on House Administra-
tion, and, in addition, the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology.
On June 21, 2019, the Committee on House Administration fa-
vorably reported H.R. 2722 by record vote of 6–3. On June 26,
2019, the Committee of Science, Space, and Technology was dis-
charged of consideration of H.R. 2722.
Under the provisions of rule H. Res. 460, on June 27, 2019 H.R.
2722 passed the House by a record vote of 220–184.
2.27. H.R. 2986, BEST Act
Purpose
The purpose of the Better Energy Storage Technology Act (BEST
Act), H.R. 2986, is to amend the United States Energy Storage
Competitiveness Act to authorize a cross-cutting, research, develop-
ment, and demonstration program to further the development of a
variety of energy storage technologies.
Legislative History
Representative Bill Foster introduced H.R. 2986 on May 23,
2019. The bill was referred solely to the Science Committee.
On July 17, 2019 the Honorable Conor Lamb presiding, the En-
ergy Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
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nology held a hearing to examine research needs to modernize and
secure our nation’s electricity grid, including energy storage.
On December 19, 2019 the Energy Subcommittee of the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology favorably reported H.R.
2986, as amended, to the full Committee with the recommendation
that the bill be approved. On February 12, 2020, the full committee
favorably reported, H.R. 2986, as amended, to the House of Rep-
resentatives with the recommendation that the bill be approved.
The text of H.R. 2986 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House by a record vote of 220–185 on September 24, 2020.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
2986, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.28. H.R. 3038, SASTA
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 3038 is to establish an interagency working
group to coordinate activities and develop policy guidance to protect
federally funded research and development from foreign inter-
ference.
Legislative History
On May 30, 2019, Representative Mikie Sherrill introduced H.R.
3038, the Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019
(‘‘SASTA’’). The bill was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Armed
Services.
On December 20, 2019, the National Defense Authorization Act,
amended to include H.R. 3038, was enacted after Presidential sig-
nature (P.L. 116–92).
2.29. H.R. 3196, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act*
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to designate the Large Synoptic Survey
Telescope (LSST) in Chile as the ‘‘Vera Rubin Survey Telescope.’’
Legislative History
On June 11, 2019, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, for
herself and Representative Jenniffer González-Colón of Puerto Rico
introduced H.R. 3196, the Vera Rubin Survey Telescope Designation
Act, to designate the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope as the ‘‘Vera
Rubin Survey Telescope’’.
On Thursday, June 20, 2019, the Committee favorably reported
H.R. 3196, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be
approved. The Senate passed H.R. 3196, by unanimous consent on
December 18, 2019 and the bill was enacted after Presidential sig-
nature on December 20, 2019 (P.L. 116–97).
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2.30. H.R. 3597, Solar Energy Research and Development Act
of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 3597, the Solar Energy Research and Devel-
opment Act of 2019 is to provide the Department of Energy (DOE)
with effective guidance to carry out a solar energy research, devel-
opment, and demonstration (RD&D) program that will improve
solar energy systems’ efficiency, manufacturing, reliability, integra-
tion, and affordability, amongst other qualities.
Legislative History
The Subcommittee on Energy held a legislative hearing on May
15, 2019 to examine the RD&D needs for solar energy in support
of a draft of H.R. 3597.
On July 10, 2019, the Energy Subcommittee forwarded H.R.
3597, as amended, to the full Committee by record vote of 7–5. On
July 24, 2019, the Committee favorably reported H.R. 3597, as
amended, to the House by record vote of 21–13.
The text of H.R. 3597 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House by a record vote of 220–185, on September 24, 2020.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
3597, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.31. H.R. 3607, Fossil Energy Research and Development
Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 3607, the Fossil Energy Research and Devel-
opment Act of 2019, is to direct federal research in fossil energy
and to promote the development and demonstration of environ-
mentally responsible coal and natural gas technologies.
Legislative History
The Energy Subcommittee held a hearing on June 19, 2019 to ex-
amine research and development needs to mitigate the environ-
mental impacts of the extraction and use of fossil fuels in support
of a draft of H.R. 3607. On July 2, 2019, Representative Veasey in-
troduced H.R. 3607 and the bill was referred solely to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On July 10, 2019, the Energy Subcommittee forwarded H.R.
3607, as amended, to the full Committee by record vote of 7–5. On
July 24, 2019, was by the Committee forwarded H.R. 3607, as
amended, to the House by record vote of 22–13.
The text of H.R. 3607 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House on September 24, 2020 by a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
3607, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
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2.32. H.R. 3609 Wind Energy Research and Development Act
of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 3609, the Wind Energy Research and Devel-
opment Act of 2019 is to authorize the Department of Energy
(DOE) to carry out research, development, and demonstration
(RD&D) of wind energy technologies that improve systems’ effi-
ciency, manufacturing, reliability, integration, and affordability,
amongst other qualities.
Legislative History
The Subcommittee on Energy held a legislative hearing on May
15, 2019 to examine the research, development, and demonstration
needs for wind energy in support of a draft of H.R. 3609.
On July 10, 2019, H.R. 3609, as amended, was forwarded by the
Energy Subcommittee to the full Committee by record vote of 7–
5. On July 24, 2019, H.R. 3609 was forwarded by the full Com-
mittee to the House, as amended, by record vote of 21–13.
The text of H.R. 3609 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House by a record vote of 220–185, on September 24, 2020.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
2986, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.33. H.R. 4230, CIT Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to amend the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 to establish a research, development, dem-
onstration, and commercial application program for technologies
that would reduce emissions from the industrial sector; to establish
a federal advisory committee to guide the focus areas of the pro-
gram and develop roadmaps to achieve emissions reductions in the
industrial sector; and to provide technical assistance to promote the
commercial application of relevant industrial emissions reduction
technologies.
Legislative History
On March 26, 2019, the Honorable Haley Stevens presiding, the
Research and Technology Subcommittee and the Energy Sub-
committee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
held a joint hearing to examine ways to enable decarbonization of
the manufacturing sector in an effort to transition to a carbon-free
future, and the role of the Manufacturing USA Institutes in achiev-
ing this goal.
On June 19, 2019, the Honorable Conor Lamb presiding, the En-
ergy Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology held a hearing to examine research and development needs
to mitigate the environmental impacts of the extraction and use of
fossil fuels. This hearing included discussion of the Department of
Energy’s current work on developing technologies to help
decarbonize industrial processes, especially related to carbon cap-
ture.
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On September 11, 2019, the Energy Subcommittee favorably re-
port the bill, H.R. 4230, as amended, to the Full Committee with
the recommendation that the bill be approved. On February 12,
2020, the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 4230, as
amended, to the House of Representatives with the recommenda-
tion that the bill be approved.
The text of H.R. 4230 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House by a record vote of 220–185, on September 24, 2020.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
4230, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.34. H.R. 4091, ARPA–E Reauthorization Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4091, the ARPA–E Reauthorization Act of
2019 is to provide the Department of Energy (DOE) with effective
guidance, capabilities, and resources to support and expand the
mission of the Advanced Research Program Agency—Energy
(ARPA–E), which is to overcome long-term and high-risk tech-
nology barriers in the development of energy and energy-relevant
technologies
Legislative History
The Subcommittee on Energy held a legislative hearing on Feb-
ruary 26, 2019 to assess the role that ARPA–E plays in accel-
erating the development of innovative energy technologies, and to
examine ways that Congress and the Administration may be able
to improve ARPA–E’s capabilities to spur transformational techno-
logical advances in pursuit of the agency’s energy and environ-
mental missions. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced
H.R. 4091 on July 30, 2019 and the bill was solely referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On September 11, 2019, the Energy Subcommittee favorably re-
ported H.R. 4091 to the full Committee with the recommendation
that the bill be approved. On October 17, 2019, the Committee fa-
vorably reported H.R. 4091, as amended, to the House of Rep-
resentatives with the recommendation that the bill be approved.
The text of H.R. 4091 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House by a record vote of 220–185, on September 24, 2020.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
4091, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.35. H.R. 4355, IOGAN Act
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for research on manipulated
or synthesized content and information authenticity, including out-
put of generative adversarial networks, otherwise known as
deepfakes and to encourage public-private partnerships to develop
standards for detecting and identifying such content.
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Legislative History
On September 17, 2019, Representative Anthony Gonzalez intro-
duced H.R. 4355, Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial
Networks Act (‘‘IOGAN Act’’). The bill was referred solely to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On September 25, 2019, the Committee favorably reported the
bill, H.R. 4355, as amended, to the House with the recommendation
that the bill be approved. On December 9, 2019, H.R. 4355 was
considered under suspension of the rules and was agreed to by
voice vote.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
4355, please refer to entry 1.11 in Chapter 1.
2.36. H.R. 4372, MSI STEM Achievement Act
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to direct federal science agencies and
the Office of Science and Technology Policy to undertake activities
to improve the quality of undergraduate STEM education and en-
hance the research capacity at the Nation’s Historically Black Col-
leges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other
minority serving institutions.
Legislative History
On September 18, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and
Representative Michael Waltz introduced H.R. 4372, the MSI
STEM Achievement Act. The bill was referred to the House Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On September 25, 2019, the Committee favorably reported H.R.
4372, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the
bill be approved. On December 9, 2019, H.R. 4372 was considered
under suspension of the rules and the bill was passed by voice vote.
2.37. H.R. 4373, Engineering Biology Research and
Development Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to provide for a coordinated federal re-
search initiative to ensure continued United States leadership in
engineering biology.
Legislative History
On March 12, 2019, the Subcommittee on Research and Tech-
nology of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a
hearing to receive testimony on the Engineering Biology Research
and Development Act.
On September 18, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson in-
troduced H.R. 4373, the Engineering Biology Research and Develop-
ment Act of 2019. The bill was referred to the House Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology. On September 25, 2019, the Com-
mittee favorably reported H.R. 4373, as amended, to the House
with the recommendation that the bill be approved.
On December 9, 2019, H.R. 4373 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules and the bill was passed by voice vote.
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2.38. H.R. 4447, Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4447
Legislative History
Representative Tom O’Halloran introduced H.R. 4447 on Sep-
tember 20, 2019. The bill, originally titled the Expanding Access to
Sustainable Energy Act of 2019, was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, on September 9, 2020,
favorably reported H.R. 4447, as amended, to the House with the
recommendation that the bill be approved.
The Committee of Science, Space, and Technology was dis-
charged of consideration on September 15, 2020.
Under the provisions of H. Res. 1129, H.R. 4447 was considered
on the House floor September 23–24, 2020. H.R. 4447 was amended
to include previously considered Science Committee bills: H.R. 34,
H.R. 1709, H.R. 2986, H.R. 3597, H.R. 3607, H.R. 3609, H.R. 4091,
H.R. 4230, H.R. 4481, H.R. 4656, H.R. 4733, H.R. 4924, H.R. 5374,
H.R. 5428, H.R. 5760, H.R. 6084, H.R. 6097, and H.R. 8273.
On September 24, 2020, under the provisions of rule H. Res.
1129, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act passed the
House by a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
4447, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.39. H.R. 4481, Securing Energy Critical Elements and
American Jobs Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4481 is to authorize a critical materials re-
search, development, demonstration, and commercial application
(RDD&CA) program at the Department of Energy (DOE), and
amend the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and
Development Act of 1980, to advance the secure, sustainable supply
of critical materials needed for energy and related technologies.
Legislative History
H.R. 4481 was introduced on September 24, 2019 by Rep. Eric
Swalwell. The bill was referred solely to the Science Committee.
The Subcommittee on Energy held a legislative hearing on Decem-
ber 10, 2019 to examine H.R. 4481.
On March 12, 2020, the Energy Subcommittee favorably reported
H.R. 4481 to the full Committee with the recommendation that the
bill be approved.
The text of H.R. 4481 was incorporated into H.R. 4447, the Clean
Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was considered under the
provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the House by a record
vote of 220–185, on September 24, 2020.
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2.40. H.R. 4656, Background Ozone Research Act
Purpose
The Background Ozone Research Act directs the Environmental
Protection Agency to work with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study that will
examine the current and future research needs regarding back-
ground ozone
Legislative History
The Committee held a hearing on September 19, 2019 with the
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator that included the
topic of background ozone and the need for further study. H.R.
4656 was introduced on October 11, 2019 by Rep. Ben McAdams.
The bill was referred solely to the Science Committee.
On March 4, 2020, the Environment Subcommittee favorably re-
ported H.R. 4656, as amended, to the full Committee with the rec-
ommendation that the bill be approved. The text of H.R. 4656 was
incorporated into the text of H.R. 4447, The Clean Economy Jobs
and Innovation Act.
On September 23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the pro-
visions of rule H. Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill
passed the House by a record vote of 220–185.
2.41. H.R 4733, Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4733 is to authorize the Secretary of Energy
to carry out a research program to improve scientific under-
standing of the effects of exposure to low-dose radiation. It requires
the Secretary to identify barriers to understanding these effects
and develop a strategic research agenda to address these chal-
lenges.
Legislative History
On October 18, 2019, Representative Posey introduced H.R. 4733.
The bill was referred solely to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology.
On March 12, 2020, the Energy Subcommittee favorably reported
H.R. 4733 to the full Committee with the recommendation that the
bill be approved.
The text of H.R. 4733 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was con-
sidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and passed the
House by a record vote of 220 185, on September 24, 2020.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
4733, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.42. H.R. 4737, Department of Homeland Security Climate
Change Research Act
Purpose
H.R. 4737, the ‘‘Department of Homeland Security Climate
Change Research Act,’’ would direct the Department of Homeland
Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to assess current
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federal research regarding the connection between climate change
and homeland security to identify research gaps and, to the extent
practical, conduct additional research to fill identified gaps.
Legislative History
On April 9, 2019, the Committee on Homeland Security held a
hearing entitled ‘‘Assessing the Homeland Security Impacts of
Changing Climate.’’ This hearing was used to develop H.R. 4737.
On October 18, 2019, Representative Yvette Clarke introduced
H.R. 4737. The bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. On October 23, 2019, the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity ordered H.R. 4737 be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, with an amendment, by unanimous consent.
On February 10, 2020, H.R. 4737 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules and the bill was passed by voice vote.
2.43. H.R. 4924, Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4924 is to authorize the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency to conduct research on wildfire
smoke, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
H.R. 4924 was introduced by Representative Anna Eshoo on Oc-
tober 30, 2019. The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce and then to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology. The text of H.R. 4924 was incorporated into the text
of H.R. 4447, The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act.
On September 23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the pro-
visions of rule H. Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill
passed the House by a record vote of 220–185.
2.44. H.R. 4979, Rural STEM Education Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4979 is to direct the Director of the National
Science Foundation to support STEM education and workforce de-
velopment research focused on rural areas, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
The Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing
on May 8, 2019 to review the National Science Foundation’s
FY2020 Budget Request. On May 9, 2019 the full committee held
a hearing entitled, ‘‘Achieving the Promise of a Diverse STEM
Workforce.’’ H.R. 4979 was introduced by Ranking Member Frank
Lucas on November 5, 2019, and the bill was referred solely to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On November 14,
2019, the Full Committee met to consider H.R. 4979. The bill was
ordered favorably reported by voice vote. The bill was reported to
the House on February 13, 2020.
On September 16, 2020, H.R. 4979 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules, and the bill was passed by voice vote.
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2.45. H.R 4990, Election Technology Research Act of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 4990 is to direct the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation to
carry out research and other activities to promote the security and
modernization of voting systems.
Legislative History
The Subcommittees on Research and Technology and the Inves-
tigations and Oversight held a joint hearing on June 15, 2018 on
election security and voting technology vulnerabilities. H.R. 4990
was introduced on November 8, 2019 by Representative Mikie
Sherrill and the bill was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and the Committee on House Administra-
tion. On November 14, 2019, the Full Committee met to consider
H.R. 4990, and the bill was ordered favorably reported by voice
vote. The bill was reported to the House on February 13, 2020.
On February 10, 2020, the Committee on House Administration
was discharged of consideration of the bill.
On September 16, 2020, H.R. 4990 was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules, and the bill was passed by voice vote.
2.46. H.R. 5213, NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act
of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 5213 is to extend the authority of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration to lease its non-excess
real property and related personal property through 2021.
Legislative History
H.R. 5213 was introduced by Representative Kendra Horn on No-
vember 21, 2019 and sponsored by Representative Brian Babin,
Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member Frank
Lucas, and Representative Steven Palazzo. The text of H.R. 5213
was incorporated into the text of the 2020 Consolidated Appropria-
tions, which was enacted in December 20, 2019 as P.L. 116–93.
2.47. H.R. 5260, PROSWIFT Act *
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 5260 is to improve understanding and fore-
casting of space weather events, and for other purpose.
Legislative History
On October 23, 2019, The Subcommittee on Environment and the
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a joint hearing enti-
tled, ‘‘Space Weather: Advancing Research, Monitoring, and Fore-
casting Capabilities.’’ The purpose of this hearing was to discuss
current federal efforts to monitor and predict space weather phe-
nomena and focus on opportunities to improve space weather fore-
casting and prediction capabilities. H.R. 5260 was introduced on
November 22, 2019 by Mr. Perlmutter. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, then to the Com-
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mittee on the Armed Services, and then the Committee on Natural
Resources. On January 9th the Full committee met to consider the
H.R. 5260, and the bill was ordered to be reported favorably by
voice vote. A bill, identical in text to H.R. 5260, S. 881 passed the
Senate on July 27, 2020. Mr. Perlmutter took up the Senate bill,
and on September 16, 2020 the bill was considered under suspen-
sion of the rules and passed by voice vote.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
5260, please refer to PL 116–181 in Chapter 1.
2.48. H.R. 5374, Advanced Geothermal Research and
Development Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose H.R. 5374 is to amend the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 to establish and support advanced geo-
thermal research, development, demonstration, and commercial ap-
plication programs at the Department of Energy.
Legislative History
On November 14, 2019, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing
to examine research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application needs in the geothermal energy and water power indus-
tries. Then on December 10, 2019, H.R. 5374 was introduced by
Ranking Member Frank Lucas. The bill was referred to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology and then to the Com-
mittee on Education and Labor. The Energy Subcommittee met to
consider H.R. 5374 on December 19, 2019 and the Subcommittee
agreed to forward the bill to the full committee by voice vote. The
Full Committee met to consider H.R. 5374 on February 12, 2020
and they agreed favorably report the bill out of committee by a
voice vote. The bill was reported to the House on September 11,
2020, and he Committee on Education and Labor was discharged
of consideration of the bill.
The text of H.R. 5374 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. On September
23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill passed the House by
a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
5374, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.49. H.R. 5428, Grid Modernization Research and
Development Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of the H.R. 5428 is to amend the Energy Independ-
ence and Security Act of 2007 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005
to direct federal research on grid modernization and resilience.
Legislative History
On July 17, 2019 the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing to ex-
amine research needs to modernize and secure our nation’s elec-
tricity grid. Witnesses and Members discussed the extensive work
done at the Department of Energy to develop technologies that im-
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prove the flexibility, resilience, and security of the electric grid, in-
cluding energy storage, and the need for continued and additional
investments in grid operation technology to keep up with a rapidly
evolving grid system. On December 13, 2019 Representative Conor
Lamb introduced H.R. 5428 and the bill was referred solely to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Energy Sub-
committee met to consider H.R. 5428 on December 19, 2019 and
the Subcommittee agreed to forward the bill to the full committee
by voice vote. The Full Committee met to consider H.R. 5428 on
February 12, 2020 and they agreed to favorably report the bill out
of committee by a voice vote. The bill was reported to the House
on August 11, 2020.
The text of H.R. 5428 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. On September
23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill passed the House by
a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
5428, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.50. H.R. 5519, Atmospheric Climate Intervention Research
Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 5519 is to amend the America COMPETES
Act to improve measurement and assessment capabilities for un-
derstanding proposed atmospheric interventions in Earth’s climate,
including, as a priority, the effects of proposed interventions in the
stratosphere and in cloud-aerosol processes.
Legislative History
H.R. 5519 was introduced in the House on December 19th, 2019
by Representative Jerry McNerney, and the bill was referred solely
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On January
15, 2020, the Full committee held a hearing titled ‘‘An Update on
the Climate Crisis: From Science to Solutions.’’ The purpose of this
hearing was to provide an update on the state of climate science
and receive testimony on the climate reports published in 2019. On
February 4, 2020 the Subcommittee on Environment met to con-
sider H.R. 5519 and agreed to forward the bill to the full committee
by voice vote.
2.51. H.R. 5666, NASA Authorization Act of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 5666 is to authorize the programs of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other pur-
poses.
Legislative History
H.R. 5666 was introduced in the House on the January 24, 2020
by Representative Kendra Horn and the bill was referred solely to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology On January 29,
2020 the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics met to consider
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H.R. 5666 and agreed to forward the bill favorably to the Full com-
mittee by voice vote.
2.52. H.R. 5760, Grid Security Research and Development
Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 5760 is to authorize a comprehensive inter-
disciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to
strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and
withstand cyber and physical attacks and improve the security of
the energy sector.
Legislative History
On July 17, 2019 the Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing to
examine research needs to modernize and secure our nation’s elec-
tricity grid. The hearing was entitled ‘‘The Future of Electricity De-
livery: Modernizing and Securing our Nation’s Electricity Grid.’’
Witnesses and Members discussed the extensive work done at DOE
to develop technologies that improve the flexibility, resilience, and
security of the electric grid and the need for continued and addi-
tional investments in our nation’s cybersecurity and emergency re-
sponse workforce. On February 5, 2020 Representative Ami Bera
introduced H.R. 5760 H.R. 5760 was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology and then to the Committee on
Homeland Security. The Full committee met to consider H.R. 5760
on February 12, 2020 and they agreed to favorably report the bill
out of committee by a voice vote.
On September 2, 2020 the Committee on Homeland Security was
discharged of consideration of H.R. 5760. The text of the bill was
incorporated into the text of H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs
and Innovation Act. On September 23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was consid-
ered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1129 and on September
24, 2020 the bill passed the House by a record vote of 220–185. On
September 29, 2020, H.R. 5760 was considered as a standalone bill
under suspension of the rules, and the bill was passed by voice
vote.
2.53. H.R. 6084, Water Power Research and Development Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 6084 is to provide for a program of hydro-
power, pumped storage, and marine energy research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
On November 14, 2019 the Subcommittee on Energy held a hear-
ing entitled, ‘‘Water and Geothermal Power: Unearthing the Next
Wave of Energy Innovation,’’ the purpose of which was to examine
research and development needs in the geothermal energy and
water power industries and focused on the draft Water Power Re-
search and Development Act of 2019. Representative Suzanne
Bonamici introduced H.R. 6084 on March 4 and the bill was re-
ferred solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
On March 12, 2020 the Subcommittee on Energy met to consider
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H.R. 6084 and agreed to forward the bill to the Full committee by
voice vote.
The text of H.R. 6084 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. On September
23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill passed the House by
a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
6084, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.54. H.R. 6097, Nuclear Energy Research and Development
Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 6097 is to provide for a program of nuclear
energy research, development, demonstration, and commercializa-
tion, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
On May 3, 2019 the Subcommittee on Energy held a Field Hear-
ing, entitled ‘‘How the Domestic Nuclear Industry Boosts Local
Economies, Curbs Emissions, and Strengthens National Security’’
at the Shippingport Community Building, 163 State Route 3016,
Shippingport, PA 15077. The purpose of this hearing was to exam-
ine nuclear energy broadly, including its role as an emissions-free
energy source and as a national security asset, as well as exam-
ining the impact that nuclear plants have on local economies. Rep-
resentative Conor Lamb introduced H.R. 6097 on March 5, 2020
and the bill was referred solely to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology. On March 12, 2020 the Subcommittee on
Energy met to consider H.R. 6097 and agreed to forward the bill
to the Full committee by voice vote.
The text of H.R. 6097 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. On September
23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill passed the House by
a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
6097, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.55. H.R. 6208, Protecting American Space Assets Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 6208 is to direct the President to develop a
strategy to protect the space assets of the United State, and for
other purposes.
Legislative History
On March 11, 2020 Representative Adam Kinzinger introduced
H.R. 6208 and the bill was referred to the Committees on Science,
Space, and Technology, then on to Armed Services and then For-
eign Affairs. The text of H.R. 6208 was incorporated in part into
H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2021 as Section 1754. On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was considered
under the provisions of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on July 21, 2020
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the bill passed the House by a record vote of 295–125. On Novem-
ber 18, 2020 the Speaker appointed conferees from the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology but Committee Members were
not included for consideration of section 1754 containing the text
from H.R. 6208 (Section 1613 in entry 1.14 from Chapter 1).
2.56. H.R. 6216, National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act
of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 6216 is to establish the National Artificial
Intelligence Initiative.
Legislative History
On June 26, 2019 the Full committee held a hearing entitled,
‘‘Artificial Intelligence: Societal and Ethical Implications,’’ the pur-
pose of which was to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence
(AI) on society and the ethical implications in the design and use
of this technology. Then on September 24, 2019 the Research and
Technology Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, ‘‘Artificial Intel-
ligence and the Future of Work,’’ the purpose of which was to ex-
amine the impact of machine learning and artificial intelligence on
the workforce, including issues related to worker displacement, re-
training of the current workforce, and developing a skilled tech-
nical workforce of the future that can thrive in an economy in
which artificial intelligence increasingly plays a role. Chairwoman
Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced H.R. 6216 on March 12, 2020
and the bill was referred solely to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
The text of H.R. 6216 was incorporated into H.R. 6395, the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 as Division
E. On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was considered under the provi-
sions of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on July 21, 2020 the bill passed
the House by a record vote of 295–125. On November 18, 2020 the
Speaker appointed conferees from the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and included Committee members for con-
sideration of Division E (Sections 5001–5501 in the Public Law).
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
6216, please refer to entry 1.14 in Chapter 1.
2.57. H.R. 6388, Space Technology Advancement Report Act
of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 6388 is to require the National Space Coun-
cil to submit annual reports to Congress on the ability of the
United States to effectively compete with foreign space programs
and in the emerging commercial space economy. Furthermore, the
President would develop and submit to Congress a strategy to en-
sure that the United States can effectively compete with other na-
tional space programs, maintain dominance in the emerging com-
mercial space economy, and has market, regulatory, and other
means available to address unfair competition from China based on
the findings in the report.
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Legislative History
On March 25, 2020 Representative Chrissy Houlahan introduced
H.R. 6388 and the bill was referred solely to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology. The text of H.R. 6388 was incor-
porated in part into H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 as Sections 1721–1723. On July 20, 2020,
H.R. 6395 was considered under the provisions of the rule H. Res.
1053 and on July 21, 2020 the bill passed the House by a record
vote of 295–125. On November 18, 2020 the Speaker appointed con-
ferees from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology but
Committee Members were not included for consideration of sections
1721–1723 containing the text from H.R. 6388. This language was
taken out of the conference report.
2.58. H.R. 7139, Ensuring American Leadership over
International Standards Act of 2019
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 7139 is to direct the National Institute of
Standards and Technology to enter into an agreement with the Na-
tional Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct
a study on the impact of Chinese government policies and stand-
ards development on international bodies engaged in developing
and setting international standards for emerging technologies.
Legislative History
On March 11, 2020 the Subcommittee on Research and Tech-
nology held a hearing entitled, ‘‘Reauthorization of the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology,’’ in that hearing the Sub-
committee explored the major areas of research under the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) laboratory programs,
the agency’s role in working with industry to advance U.S. competi-
tiveness, and key facilities construction and maintenance issues on
the NIST campuses in Maryland and Colorado. On July 8, 2020
Representative David Schweikert introduced H.R. 7139 and the bill
was referred solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology. The text of H.R. 7139 was incorporated in part into H.R.
6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
as Section 1705.
On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was considered under the provisions
of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on July 21, 2020 the bill passed the
House by a record vote of 295–125.
On November 18, 2020 the Speaker appointed conferees from the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology but Committee
Members were not included for consideration of section 1705 (Sec-
tion 9414 in the Public Law).
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
7139, please refer to entry 1.14 in Chapter 1.
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2.59. H.R. 7214, Surface Transportation Research and
Development Act of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 7214 is to authorize appropriations to the
Department of Transportation for surface transportation research,
development, and deployment, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
On May 21, 2019 the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee
held a hearing entitled, ‘‘The Need for Resilience: Preparing Amer-
ica’s Transportation Infrastructure for Climate Change’’ that exam-
ined the threat to transportation assets posed by climate change,
assessed the current state of federal research on transportation in-
frastructure climate resilience, and explored strategies by which
the federal research enterprise can complement state and local ef-
forts on transportation climate resilience more effectively. Then on
July 11, 2019, the Research and Technology Subcommittee held a
hearing entitled, ‘‘Bumper to Bumper: The Need for a National
Surface Transportation Research Agenda’’ that reviewed the De-
partment of Transportation’s surface transportation research, de-
velopment, and demonstration and technology transfer activities.
And lastly, on September 18, 2019 the Energy Subcommittee held
a hearing entitled, ‘‘The Next Mile: Technology Pathways to Accel-
erate Sustainability within the Transportation Sector’’ which exam-
ined the range of research, development, and demonstration activi-
ties necessary to advance sustainable transportation. Chairwoman
Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced H.R. 7214 on June 15, 2020 and
the bill was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure.
The text of H.R. 7214 was incorporated in part into H.R. 2, the
Moving Forward Act. On July 20, 2020, H.R. 2 was considered
under the provisions of the rule H. Res. 1028 and the bill passed
the House by a record vote of 233–188.
2.60. H.R. 7560, Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for
Firefighters Act of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 7560 is to require the Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct a study of
personal protective equipment worn by firefighters to determine
the prevalence and concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stances, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
Representative Ed Perlmutter introduced H.R. 7560 with Rep-
resentative Bill Posey on July 9, 2020 and the bill was referred
solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The
text of H.R. 7560 was incorporated in part into H.R. 6395, the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 as Section
341. On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was considered under the provi-
sions of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on July 21, 2020 the bill passed
the House by a record vote of 295–125. On November 18, 2020 the
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Speaker appointed conferees from the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and included Committee members for con-
sideration of Section 341 (Section 338 in the Public Law).
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
7560, please refer to entry 1.14 in Chapter 1.
2.61. H.R. 7713, NOPP Revitalization Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 7713 is to reauthorize the National Oceano-
graphic Partnership Program, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
Representative Jimmy Panetta introduced H.R. 7713 on July 21,
2020. The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
and then to the Committees on Armed Services and then Science,
Space, and Technology. The text of H.R. 7713 was incorporated in
part into H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2021 as Section 1744. On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was
considered under the provisions of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on
July 21, 2020 the bill passed the House by a record vote of 295–
125. On November 18, 2020 the Speaker appointed conferees from
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and included
Committee members for consideration of Section 1744 (Section
1055 in the Public Law).
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
7713, please refer to entry 1.14 in Chapter 1.
2.62. H.R. 7931, PIRCS Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 7931 is to direct the National Science and
Technology Council to establish an interagency working group to
coordinate federal activities to advance research and development
needed to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances,
commonly referred to as PFAS.
Legislative History
Representative Chrissy Houlahan introduced H.R. 7931 on Au-
gust 4, 2020 and the bill was referred solely to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology. The text of H.R. 7931 was incor-
porated into H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2021 as Section 330. On July 20, 2020, H.R. 6395 was
considered under the provisions of the rule H. Res. 1053 and on
July 21, 2020 the bill passed the House by a record vote of 295–
125. On November 18, 2020 the Speaker appointed conferees from
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology but Committee
Members were not included for consideration of section 330 (Sec-
tion 332 in the Public Law).
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
7931, please refer to entry 1.14 in Chapter 1.
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2.63. H.R. 8132, American COMPETE Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 8132 is to require the Federal Trade Com-
mission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and sub-
mit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other tech-
nologies on United States businesses conducting interstate com-
merce, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
Representative Cathy McMorris introduced H.R. 8132 on August
28, 2020. The bill was solely referred to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce. On September 10, 2020 Chairwoman Eddie Bernice
Johnson delivered a jurisdictional claim on the bill on behalf of the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. After assurances
were made to consult the Committee on the bill, on September 25,
2020 the claim for consideration of the bill was waived. On Sep-
tember 29, 2020, H.R. 8132 was considered under suspension of the
rules, and the bill was passed by voice vote.
2.64. H.R. 8273, Energizing Technology Transfer Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 8273 is to establish programs and authori-
ties to facilitate the commercial application of clean energy and re-
lated technologies in the United States.
Legislative History
On July 17, 2020 the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing enti-
tled, ‘‘From Lab to Market: Accelerating our Progress toward Eco-
nomic Recovery and a Clean Energy Future.’’ The hearing exam-
ined technology transfer activities at the Department of Energy
(DOE) and their potential contributions to economic recovery from
the current COVID–19 pandemic. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice
Johnson introduced H.R. 8273 on September 16, 2020 and the bill
was referred solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology. The text of H.R. 8273 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. On September
23, 2020, H.R. 4447 was considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 1129 and on September 24, 2020 the bill passed the House by
a record vote of 220–185.
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
8273, please refer to entry 1.13 in Chapter 1.
2.65. H.R. 8395, COVID–19 Disinformation Research and
Reporting Act of 2020
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 8395 is to direct the Director of the National
Science Foundation to enter into an arrangement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a
study on the spread of COVID–19-related disinformation and mis-
information on the internet and social media platforms.
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Legislative History
On March 5, 2020 the Full committee met to hold a hearing enti-
tled, ‘‘Coronaviruses: Understanding the Spread of Infectious Dis-
eases and Mobilizing Innovative Solutions.’’ In the hearing the Sub-
committee discussed emerging infectious diseases in light of the re-
cent coronavirus outbreak, and the modeling tools used to detect,
predict and understand the spread of such diseases. The Com-
mittee discussed how some infectious agents spread from animals
to humans, and how predictive modeling can help control and miti-
gate the effects of emerging diseases. Representative Jennifer
Wexton introduced H.R. 8395 on September 24, 2020 and the bill
was referred solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology. The text of H.R. 8395 was incorporated into the text of H.R.
6800. On May 15, 2020, H.R. 6800 was considered under the provi-
sions of rule H. Res. 967 and passed by a record vote of 208–199.
2.66. H.R. 8634, HACKED Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 8634 is to improve United States cybersecu-
rity through STEM scholarships, prize competitions, and other
STEM activities, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
On February 11, 2020 the Research and Technology Sub-
committee held a hearing entitled, ‘‘More Hires, Fewer Hacks: De-
veloping the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce.’’ The purpose of this
hearing was to explore the challenges faced by organizations in
both the public and private sectors in recruiting and training
skilled cybersecurity professionals and discuss strategies to expand
and diversify the cybersecurity workforce pipeline to meet the de-
mand. On September 20, 2020, Representative Kendra Horn intro-
duced H.R. 8634, which was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and then onto the Committee on Education
and Labor.
The text of H.R. 8634 was incorporated in part into S. 4049, the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 as Sec-
tions 5231 through 5238. On July 23, 2020 the bill passed the Sen-
ate by a record vote of 86–14.
On November 18, 2020 the Speaker appointed conferees from the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and included Com-
mittee members for consideration of Sections 5231 through 5238
(Section 9401–9407 in the Public Law).
For further information regarding the legislative history of H.R.
8634, please refer to entry 1.14 in Chapter 1.
2.67. H. Res. 246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of
Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Move-
ment targeting Israel
Purpose
The purpose of H. Res. 246 is to oppose the Global Boycott, Di-
vestment, and Sanctions Movement and other efforts targeting
Israel. The resolution urged both sides to return to direct negotia-
tions and expresses support for a solution resulting in the state of
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Israel existing alongside a democratic Palestinian state. It also af-
firmed the right of U.S. citizens to free speech, including the right
to protest or criticize U.S. or foreign government policies.
Legislative History
Representative Bradley Schneider introduced H. Res. 246 on
March 21, 2019. The resolution was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial
Services, Science, Space, and Technology, and the Judiciary. On
July 17, 2019 the bill was marked up and ordered to be reported
by unanimous consent, the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology was discharged from further consideration. On July 23,
2020 H. Res. 246 was considered under suspension of the rules,
and upon a demand of record vote was agreed to, 398–17, 5
present.
3.1. Hearings Before the Full Committee
3.1(a). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–1
February 13, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: THE STATE OF CLIMATE SCIENCE AND
WHY IT MATTERS
The purpose of this hearing was to provide a big-picture assess-
ment of the current state of climate science. The Committee re-
ceived expert testimony on recently published significant climate
reports and discussed report findings that include the physical
mechanisms of climate change, risks to human society at different
levels of warming, and the need for adaptation and mitigation.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Natalie M. Mahowald, Irving Porter Church Professor
of Engineering, Faculty Director for the Environment, Atkin-
son Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University;
• Dr. Robert Kopp, Director, Rutgers Institute of Earth,
Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, and Professor, Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University;
• Dr. Jennifer Francis, Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Re-
search Center;
• Dr. Joseph Majkut, Director of Climate Policy, Niskanen
Center; and
• Dr. Kristie Ebi, Rohm & Haas Endowed Professor in Pub-
lic Health Sciences, Director, Center for Health and the Global
Environment (CHanGE), University of Washington.
3.1(b). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–4
March 6, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: MAINTAINING U.S. LEADERSHIP IN
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the current state of
U.S. science and technology (S&T) in the global context and what
is needed to maintain U.S. leadership. The hearing examined the
role of federal investments in S&T; partnerships between aca-
demia, the government and industry; the future of U.S. research
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universities; STEM education and the U.S. STEM workforce; and
increasing international competition in areas of emerging tech-
nology as well as opportunities for increased international collabo-
ration on pressing global challenges.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of
Sciences;
• Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor of the University of
Pittsburgh; and
• Dr. Mehmood Khan, Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific
Officer of PepsiCo, and Chair of the Council on Competitive-
ness.
3.1(c). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–7
March 13, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: AMERICA IN SPACE: FUTURE VISION,
CURRENT ISSUES
The purpose of this hearing was to provide big-picture perspec-
tives on the future of the nation’s civil space activities, including
the roles of government and commercial entities, and to identify
the key issues for the near term.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Ellen Stofan, John and Adrienne Mars Director,
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Former NASA
Chief Scientist;
• Dr. Peggy A. Whitson, Technical Consultant and Former
Astronaut; and
• Mr. Frank A. Rose, Senior Fellow, Security and Strategy,
The Brookings Institution, Former Assistant Secretary of
State.
3.1(d). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–10
April 2, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL AERO-
NAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) FY2020 BUDGET RE-
QUEST
The purpose of this hearing was to review the Administration’s
fiscal year 2020 budget request for NASA.
Witness: The Honorable James F. Bridenstine, NASA Adminis-
trator.
3.1(e). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–17
May 9, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: ACHIEVING THE PROMISE OF A DIVERSE
STEM WORKFORCE
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the need for a diverse
STEM workforce and assess the lessons learned, model programs,
enduring challenges, and future opportunities for expanding access
to STEM studies and careers. An additional purpose of the hearing
was to receive testimony on the STEM Opportunities Act.
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Witnesses:
• Dr. Mae Jemison, Principal for 100 Year Starship;
• Dr. Shirley Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA
Change at the American Association for the Advancement of
Science;
• Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, Vice President for Research at the
American Council on Education;
• Dr. James L. Moore III, Vice Provost for Diversity and In-
clusion and Chief Diversity Officer at The Ohio State Univer-
sity; and
• Ms. Barbara Whye, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
and Vice President of Human Resources at Intel.
3.1(f). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–19
May 16, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE: THE BLACK
HOLE SEEN ROUND THE WORLD
The purpose of this hearing was to review the scientific knowl-
edge gained from the very first image of a black hole; how this new
imaging capability may enable yet more scientific discovery; how
the image was created, including the domestic and international
partnerships that made this result possible; and future plans for
the Event Horizon Telescope.
Witnesses:
• Dr. France Córdova, Director of the National Science
Foundation;
• Dr. Sheperd Doeleman, Director of the Event Horizon Tel-
escope, at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics;
• Dr. Colin Lonsdale, Director of the MIT Haystack Observ-
atory; and
• Dr. Katherine (Katie) Bouman, Postdoctoral Fellow, at the
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
3.1(g). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–21
May 17, 2019
MEMBER’S DAY HEARING: HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND
TECHNOLOGY.
3.1(h). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–24
July 4, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: NATURE IN CRISIS: BIODIVERSITY LOSS
AND ITS CAUSES
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the major findings of
the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services (IPBES) summary for policymakers of their
first Global Assessment Report, including the knowledge gaps and
solutions for dealing with human-driven biodiversity loss.
Witnesses:
• Sir. Robert (Bob) Watson, Past Chair, Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Serv-
ices (IPBES);
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• Dr. Kate Brauman, Coordinating Lead Author, IPBES
Global Assessment; Lead Scientist, Global Water Assessment,
University of Minnesota, Institute of the Environment;
• Dr. Steven Monfort, Director of the Smithsonian National
Zoo and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute;
• Mr. Jeff Goodwin, Conservation Stewardship Lead & Agri-
cultural Consultant, Noble Research Institute; and
• Dr. James Porter, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor,
Emeritus, University of Georgia; Scientific Advisor, Chasing
Coral.
3.1(i). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–28
June 12, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: COMBATING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN
SCIENCE
The purpose of this hearing was to assess federal science agency
policies and procedures for addressing sexual harassment involving
federally-funded STEM researchers and their trainees. The hearing
also explored lessons learned, enduring challenges, and future op-
portunities for preventing and mitigating the negative impact of
sexual harassment in STEM studies and careers. An additional
purpose of the hearing was to receive testimony on H.R. 36, the
Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act.
Witnesses:
• Mr. John Neumann, Managing Director of the Science,
Technology Assessment, and Analytics team at the U.S. Gov-
ernment Accountability Office;
• Dr. Paula A. Johnson, President of Wellesley College;
• Dr. Jean Morrison, University Provost and Chief Academic
Officer of Boston University; and
• Dr. Philip Kass, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and
Professor of Analytic Epidemiology at the University of Cali-
fornia, Davis.
3.1(j). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–30
June 25, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY’S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE
The purpose of the hearing was to examine the Department of
Energy’s research, development, demonstration, and commer-
cialization activities, including the impact of the President’s fiscal
year 2020 budget request.
Witness: The Honorable Rick Perry, Secretary of the Department
of Energy.
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3.1(k). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–32
June 26, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: SOCIETAL AND
ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the impact of artificial
intelligence (AI) on society and the ethical implications in the de-
sign and use of this technology. The hearing also examined the ex-
tent to which AI is already being deployed across different sectors
of our society and economy; how biases, vulnerabilities, and other
unintended consequences may manifest in these AI systems; and
how federal agencies, as part of their research programs, standards
development efforts, and internal adoption of AI, can help ensure
more ethical and responsible design and application of AI.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Meredith Whittaker, Co-Founder of the AI Now Insti-
tute at New York University;
• Mr. Jack Clark, Policy Director at OpenAI;
• Mx. Joy Buolamwini, Founder of the Algorithmic Justice
League; and
• Dr. Georgia Tourassi, Director of the Oak Ridge National
Lab Health Data Sciences Institute.
3.1(l). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–35
July 11, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: EARTH’S THERMOMETERS: GLACIAL AND
ICE SHEET MELT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the science of the
physical processes and projections of mass loss of ice sheets and
glaciers. The Committee received expert testimony on current pro-
jections of glacier mass loss due to anthropogenic climate change,
and in turn how that will affect sea level. Additionally, the panel
discussed research gaps, risks to communities from local glacier
melt, as well as global risks from ice sheet instability and sea level
rise, and the need for adaptation and mitigation.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Richard B. Alley, Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences
and Associate of the Earth and Environmental Systems Insti-
tute, Pennsylvania State University;
• Dr. Robin E. Bell, Lamont Research Professor, Lamont-
Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University;
• Dr. Twila A. Moon, Research Scientist, National Snow and
Ice Data Center’s (NSIDC) Cooperative Institute for Research
in Environmental Sciences;
• Dr. Gabriel J. Wolkon, Research Scientist and Manager,
Climate and Cryosphere Hazards Program, Division of Geologi-
cal & Geophysical Surveys, Alaska Department of Natural Re-
sources; and
• Dr. W. Tad Pfeffer, Fellow, Institute of Arctic and Alpine
Research, University of Colorado Boulder.
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3.1(m). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–37
July 16, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: THE LEGACY OF APOLLO
The purpose of this hearing was to commemorate the 50th anni-
versary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Charles Fishman, author of One Giant Leap: The Im-
possible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon;
• Dr. David W. Miller, Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer, The Aerospace Corporation; and
• Dr. Peter Jakab, Chief Curator, Smithsonian Air and
Space Museum.
3.1(n). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–43
September 10, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: RAISING THE BAR: PROGRESS AND FUTURE
NEEDS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the progress in foren-
sic science since the 2009 National Academy of Sciences report,
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path For-
ward, and to examine the role of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology in the advancement of forensic science re-
search and standards. An additional purpose of the hearing was to
receive testimony on the Forensic Science and Standards Act, last
introduced in the 114th Congress (H.R. 5795), including any rec-
ommendations for updates to the bill.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Susan Ballou, Program Manager in the Office of Spe-
cial Programs at the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology;
• Ms. Lynn Garcia, General Counsel for the Texas Forensic
Science Commission;
• Ms. Vicki Zemp Behenna, Executive Director of the Okla-
homa Innocence Project;
• Dr. Karen Kafadar, Professor and Chair of the Department
of Statistics at the University of Virginia; President of the
American Statistical Association; and
• Mr. Matthew Gamette, Crime Lab Director for the Idaho
State Police Forensic Services.
3.1(o). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–46
September 19, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The purpose of this hearing was to review the science and tech-
nology activities at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in-
cluding: agency-wide policies and practices related to the develop-
ment and use of science in regulatory and deregulatory decisions,
the role of independent scientific advisory bodies such as the EPA
Science Advisory Board and the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory
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Committee, and the importance of transparency and integrity in
the agency’s science activities.
Witness: The Honorable Andrew Wheeler, Administrator, Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency.
3.1(p). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–49
September 26, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: UNDERSTANDING, FORECASTING, AND
COMMUNICATING EXTREME WEATHER IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
The purpose of this hearing was to understand the state of the
science related to extreme weather events and examine the role of
climate change and other factors in causing and exacerbating ex-
treme weather events. The panel discussed economic and other so-
cietal impacts of extreme weather, explored the state of forecasting
and prediction of extreme weather with a focus on how to commu-
nicate uncertainty, and identified gaps in the science.
Witnesses:
• Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association
Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geog-
raphy, Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program, Department of
Geography, University of Georgia; 2013 President, American
Meteorological Society;
• Dr. James Done, Project Scientist III and Willis Research
Fellow, Capacity Center for Climate & Weather Extremes,
Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology Lab, National Center for
Atmospheric Research;
• Dr. Adam Sobel, Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observ-
atory and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Colum-
bia University; Director and Chief Scientist, Initiative on Ex-
treme Weather and Climate, Columbia University;
• Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National Weather Center,
University of Oklahoma; and
• Dr. Ann Bostrom, Weyerhaeuser Endowed Professor in En-
vironmental Policy, University of Washington.
3.1(q). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–56
November 13, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY OR
SILENCING SCIENCE? THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE IN EPA RULEMAKING
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule entitled ‘‘Strengthening
Transparency in Regulatory Science.’’
Witnesses:
Panel 1:
Witness: Dr. Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Principal Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Science, Office of Research and Development,
EPA; and Science Advisor, EPA.
Panel 2:
• Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum, Former Director, Scientist Emer-
itus, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
2009 2019;
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• Dr. Mary B. Rice, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Harvard
Medical School; Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician, Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center;
• Dr. David Allison, Dean, School of Public Health, Indiana
University—Bloomington; Member, ‘‘Reproducibility and
Replicability in Science’’ Committee, The National Academies
of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine;
• Dr. Brian Nosek, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Cen-
ter for Open Science; and
• Dr. Todd Sherer, CEO, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson’s Research.
3.1(r). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–56.
November 20, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: FIGHTING FLU, SAVING LIVES: VACCINE
SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
The purpose of this hearing was to highlight the effectiveness
and safety of vaccines; review the rationale for continuing to invest
in vaccine science and innovation; use influenza as a case study to
examine the science, innovation, and data challenges to developing
an even more effective vaccine and eventually a universal flu vac-
cine; and consider the common technology and data platforms that
could accelerate progress in vaccine development for many dis-
eases. An additional purpose of the hearing was to examine the
public-private partnerships and state-federal partnerships to ad-
vance vaccine innovation and deployment, as well as efforts to com-
municate vaccine safety and effectiveness to the public.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Daniel B. Jernigan, Director of the Influenza Division
in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Dis-
eases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute for
Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institutes of
Health;
• Dr. Sharon Watkins, State Epidemiologist and Director of
the Bureau of Epidemiology for the Pennsylvania Department
of Health; President of the Council of State and Territorial Epi-
demiologists; and
• Dr. Robin Robinson, Vice-President for Scientific Affairs at
RenovaCare; former Director of the Biomedical Advanced Re-
search and Development Authority of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
3.1(s). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–60
December 5, 2019
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: EXPERTS NEEDED: OPTIONS FOR
IMPROVED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVICE FOR CONGRESS
The purpose of this hearing was to examine Congress’s needed
for advice to understand and address the growing number of
science and technology policy issues facing the nation. An addi-
tional purpose was to assess the gaps in accessible science and
technology resources and advice, and to explore the opportunities
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and challenges for addressing such gaps, including whether a re-
newed Office of Technology Assessment would meet the needs.
Witnesses:
• The Honorable Michael McCord, Director of Civil-Military
Programs at the Stennis Center for Public Service;
• Ms. Laura Manley, Director of the Technology and Public
Purpose Project at the Belfer Center for Science and Inter-
national Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Govern-
ment;
• Dr. Timothy Persons, Chief Scientist and Managing Direc-
tor the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team at
the U.S. Government Accountability Office; and
• Dr. Peter Blair, Executive Director of the Division on Engi-
neering and Physical Sciences at the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
3.1(t). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–62
January 15, 2020
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: AN UPDATE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS:
FROM SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS
The purpose of this hearing was to provide an update on the
state of climate science. The Committee received expert testimony
on the climate reports published in 2019 and discussed their find-
ings.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Pamela McElwee, Associate Professor of Human Ecol-
ogy, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers,
The State University of New Jersey;
• Dr. Richard Murray, Deputy Director & Vice President for
Research, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution;
• Dr. Heidi Steltzer, Professor of Environment and Sustain-
ability, Fort Lewis College, Colorado;
• Mr. Michael Shellenberger, Founder and President, Envi-
ronmental Progress; and
• Ms. Taryn Fransen, Senior Fellow, Global Climate Pro-
gram, World Resources Institute.
3.1(u). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–64.
January 29, 2020
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: LOSING GROUND: U.S. COMPETITIVENESS
IN CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES
The purpose of this hearing was to review U.S. competitiveness
in critical technologies and federal investments in the research, de-
velopment and STEM workforce that will be essential to maintain-
ing U.S. leadership. An additional purpose of the hearing was to
examine opportunities for increased public-private partnership and
the economic and national security implications of leadership—or
loss of leadership—in these critical technology areas.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Diane Souvaine, Chair of the National Science Board;
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• Dr. Eric Schmidt, Founder of Schmidt Futures; Chairman
of the Defense Innovation Board; and Chairman of the Na-
tional Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence; and
• Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, Executive Vice President for Re-
search at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
3.1(v). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–69
February 27, 2020
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: A REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S FED-
ERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the Administration’s
proposed Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget for federal research, de-
velopment, demonstration, and commercial application programs
within the Committee’s jurisdiction and to discuss related policy
issues.
Witness: Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Director of the White House
Office of Science and Technology Policy.
3.1(w). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–71
March 5, 2020
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: CORONAVIRUSES: UNDERSTANDING THE
SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND MOBILIZING INNOVATIVE SO-
LUTIONS
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss emerging infectious
diseases, in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, and the mod-
eling tools used to detect, predict and understand the spread of
such diseases. The Committee discussed how some infectious
agents spread from animals to humans, and how predictive mod-
eling can help control and mitigate the effects of emerging diseases.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Suzan Murray, Program Director, Smithsonian Global
Health Program, Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation
Biology Institute;
• Dr. John Brownstein, Chief Innovation Officer, Boston
Children’s Hospital; Professor, Harvard Medical School;
• Dr. Peter Hotez, Professor and Dean, National School of
Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine; Co-Director,
Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development;
and
• Dr. Tara Kirk Sell, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center
for Health Security; Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health.
3.1(x). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–73
June 12, 2020
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: THE ROLE OF AFG AND SAFER GRANTS IN
COVID–19 RESPONSE
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the impact of COVID–
19 on the fire service community, to examine implementation of
supplemental funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants
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(AFG) program provided under the CARES ACT, and to explore the
need for additional funding and temporary administrative changes
to the AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Re-
sponse (SAFER) grant program in order to expedite assistance to
fire departments for personal protective equipment, staffing, and
other needs.
Witnesses:
• Chief Gary Ludwig, President and Chairman of the Board
of the International Association of Fire Chiefs;
• Mr. Roy L. ‘‘Sandy’’ McGhee III, District 11 Vice President
of the International Association of Fire Fighters; and
• Mr. Steve Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire
Council.
3.1(y). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–76
July 14, 2020
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: SWELTERING IN PLACE: COVID–19,
EXTREME HEAT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the disproportionate
impacts of extreme heat and COVID–19 on vulnerable low-income
communities and communities of color, the impacts of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA)’s deregulatory actions and relaxed
enforcement of pollution regulations, the gaps in heat monitoring
research, and what federal investments are needed to address
these gaps to develop equitable and just policies.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Heather McTeer Toney, National Field Director, Moms
Clean Air Force;
• Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental
Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization, National
Wildlife Federation;
• Mr. Cecil Corbin-Mark, Deputy Director, WE ACT for En-
vironmental Justice; and
• Mr. Hilton Kelley, Founder/Director of the Community In-
Power & Development Association Inc.
3.2. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Energy
3.2(a). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–2.
February 26, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE FUTURE OF ARPA–E
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the value of the role
that the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agen-
cy—Energy (ARPA–E) plays in accelerating the development of in-
novative energy technologies, and to examine ways that Congress
and the Administration may be able to improve ARPA–E’s capabili-
ties to spur transformational technological advances in pursuit of
the agency’s energy and environmental missions.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Arun Majumdar, Jay Precourt Provostial Chair Pro-
fessor at Stanford University;
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• Dr. Ellen Williams, Distinguished University Professor at
the University of Maryland;
• Dr. John Wall, Retired Chief Technology Officer of
Cummins; Member of the Committee on Evaluation for the
2017 National Academies Review of ARPA–E;
• Dr. Saul Griffith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Otherlab; and
• Mr. Mark Mills, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
3.2(b). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–5
March 7, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE ENERGY WATER NEXUS: DRIER WATTS
AND CHEAPER DROPS
The purpose of this hearing was to examine energy and water
nexus issues and consider H.R. 34, the Energy and Water Research
Integration Act of 2019, as introduced by Chairwoman Eddie Ber-
nice Johnson and Ranking Member Frank Lucas at the beginning
of the 116th Congress. This legislation would ensure that the De-
partment of Energy considers water intensity in energy research
and development activities and energy intensity in water produc-
tion and use. The hearing focused on current issues and opportuni-
ties for efficiency improvements.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Vincent Tidwell, Distinguished Member of the Tech-
nical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories;
• Ms. Kate Zerrenner, Senior Manager at the Environmental
Defense Fund;
• Dr. Richard Bonner, Vice President of Research and Devel-
opment at Advanced Cooling Technologies Inc.;
• Dr. Raman P. Singh, Associate Dean for Engineering at
Oklahoma State University—Tulsa; Professor and Head of
School of Materials Science and Engineering at Oklahoma
State University; and
• Dr. Michael Webber, Chief Science and Technology Officer
at ENGIE; Professor at University of Texas—Austin.
3.2(c). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–14
May 3, 2019
FIELD HEARING: HOW THE DOMESTIC NUCLEAR INDUSTRY BOOSTS
LOCAL ECONOMIES, CURBS EMISSIONS, AND STRENGTHENS NA-
TIONAL SECURITY
Held at the Shippingport Community Building, 163 State Route
3016, Shippingport, PA 15077. The purpose of this hearing was to
examine nuclear energy broadly, including its role as an emissions-
free energy source and as a national security asset, as well as ex-
amining the impact that nuclear plants have on local economies.
The hearing focused on research and development needs to extend
the lifetime of operating nuclear plants.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Pete Lyons, Former Assistant Secretary for the De-
partment of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy; Commissioner,
Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
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• Admiral William Fallon, Retired, United States Navy;
• Ms. Tina M. Taylor, Senior Director of Research and De-
velopment at the Electric Power Research Institute; and
• Dr. Jay Apt, Professor at the Tepper School of Business
and Department of Engineering & Public Policy; Co-Director of
the Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center.
3.2(d). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–18
May 15, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: ADVANCING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the range of existing
research, development, and demonstration activities and the next
steps required to advance solar and wind energy technologies.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Peter Green, Science and Technology Officer and Dep-
uty Laboratory Director of the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory;
• Ms. Abby Hopper, Esq., President and Chief Executive Of-
ficer of the Solar Energy Industries Association;
• Mr. Kenny Stein, Esq., Director of Policy for the Institute
for Energy Research; and
• Mr. Tom Kiernan, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the American Wind Energy Association.
3.2(e). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–29
June 19, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: FOSSIL ENERGY RESEARCH: ENABLING OUR
CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
The purpose of the hearing was to examine research and develop-
ment needs to mitigate the environmental impacts of the extraction
and use of fossil fuels as well as the decarbonization of industrial
processes and long-distance transportation. The hearing focused on
two draft bills: H.R. 3607, the Fossil Energy Research and Develop-
ment Act of 2019, and the Industrial Decarbonization Technology
Development Act of 2019—which was the title at the time and is
now H.R 4230, the Clean Industrial Act of 2019.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Shannon Angielski, Executive Director of the Carbon
Utilization Research Council;
• Mr. Elgie Holstein, Senior Director for Strategic Planning
at the Environmental Defense Fund;
• Mr. Jeff Bobeck, Director of Energy Policy Engagement at
the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES);
• Ms. Erin Burns, Director of Policy at Carbon180; and
• Dr. Erik K. Webb, Senior Manager of Geoscience Research
& Applications at Sandia National Laboratories.
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3.2(f). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–40
July 17, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE FUTURE OF ELECTRICITY DELIVERY:
MODERNIZING AND SECURING OUR NATION’S ELECTRICITY GRID
The purpose of this hearing was to examine research needs to
modernize and secure our nation’s electricity grid. The hearing fo-
cused on two draft bills at the time: H.R. 5428, the Grid Mod-
ernization Research and Development Act of 2019 and H.R. 5760,
the Grid Cybersecurity Research and Development Act of 2019.
Witnesses:
• The Honorable Karen Evans, Assistant Secretary of the
Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Secu-
rity, and Emergency Response;
• Mr. Juan J. Torres, Associate Laboratory Director of En-
ergy Systems Integration at the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory; Co-Chair of the Grid Modernization Lab Consor-
tium;
• Ms. Kelly Speakes-Backman, Chief Executive Officer of the
Energy Storage Association; and
• Ms. Katherine Hamilton, Chair of 38 North Solutions; Ex-
ecutive Director of Advanced Energy Management Alliance.
3.2(g). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–45
September 18, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE NEXT MILE: TECHNOLOGY PATHWAYS
TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABILITY WITHIN THE TRANSPORTATION
SECTOR
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the range of re-
search, development, and demonstration activities necessary to ad-
vance sustainable transportation. The hearing served to inform the
development of legislation that will guide the Department of Ener-
gy’s activities in these areas.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Ann M. Schlenker, Director of the Center for Trans-
portation Research at Argonne National Laboratory;
• Mr. James Chen, Vice President of Public Policy at Rivian
Automotive LLC;
• Mr. Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of the Advanced
Biofuels Business Council;
• Dr. Claus Daniel, Director of the Sustainable Transpor-
tation Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and
• Mr. Tim Cortes, Vice President of Hydrogen Energy Sys-
tems at Plug Power Inc.
3.2(h). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–55
November 14, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: WATER AND GEOTHERMAL POWER:
UNEARTHING THE NEXT WAVE OF ENERGY INNOVATION
The primary purpose of this hearing was to examine research
and development needs in the geothermal energy and water power
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industries. The hearing focused on two draft bills at the time: H.R.
5374, the Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act of
2019, and H.R. 34, the Water Power Research and Development
Act of 2019.
Witnesses:
• Dr. David Solan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renew-
able Power of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Ef-
ficiency and Renewable Energy;
• Dr. Bryson Robertson, Co-Director of the Pacific Marine
Energy Center, and Associate Professor of Civil and Construc-
tion Engineering at Oregon State University;
• Dr. Joseph Moore, Manager of the Utah Frontier Observ-
atory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE), and Re-
search Professor at the University of Utah;
• Ms. Maria Richards, Director of the Geothermal Labora-
tory, Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences at
Southern Methodist University; and
• Mr. Sander Cohan, Director of Innovation at Enel Green
Power North America, Inc.
3.2(i). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–58
November 22, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE FIELD HEARING: THE FUTURE OF ADVANCED CARBON
CAPTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Held at the Hilton University of Houston Waldorf Astoria Ball-
room, Houston, TX. The purpose of this hearing was to examine the
state of advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage tech-
nologies and practices in the United States and to determine how
the federal government can best accelerate this growing area of re-
search in support of U.S. interests in energy security, environ-
mental stewardship, and national security.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Chief Energy Officer and
Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Hous-
ton;
• Dr. Jeffrey Long, Faculty Senior Scientist of the Materials
Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory;
• Mr. Greg Kennedy, Senior Project Director of NRG Energy;
Director of Asset Management of the Petra Nova Project;
• Mr. Roger Dewing, Director of Technology CCUS at Air
Products and Chemicals Incorporated, Inc.; and
• Mr. Nigel Jenvey, Global Head of Carbon Management at
Gaffney, Cline & Associates.
3.2(j). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–61
December 10, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO ADDRESS
THE CRITICAL MATERIALS CHALLENGE
The purpose of this hearing was to examine research, develop-
ment, and demonstration (RD&D) needs to support the sustainable
supply of critical materials for energy technologies and other appli-
cations. The witnesses discussed the importance of a reliable, af-
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fordable supply of helium, which is needed as an energy technology
input and for various research applications. The hearing focused
H.R. 4481, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American
Jobs Act of 2019.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Adam Schwartz, Director of Ames Laboratory;
• Dr. Sophia Hayes, Professor of the Department of Chem-
istry at Washington University in St. Louis;
• Mr. David Weiss, Vice President of Engineering and Re-
search and Development at Eck Industries, Inc.; and
• Dr. Carol Handwerker, Reinhardt Schuhmann Jr. Pro-
fessor of Materials Engineering & Environmental and Ecologi-
cal Engineering at Purdue University.
3.2(k). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–63
January 15, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY’S OFFICE OF
SCIENCE: EXPLORING THE NEXT FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the research and de-
velopment activities and facilities supported by the Department of
Energy’s Office of Science, and to consider potential future direc-
tions for its various programs.
Witness: Dr. Chris Fall, Director of the Department of Energy’s
Office of Science.
3.2(l). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–77
July 17, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: FROM LAB TO MARKET: ACCELERATING OUR
PROGRESS TOWARD ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND A CLEAN ENERGY FU-
TURE
The purpose of this hearing was to examine technology transfer
activities at the Department of Energy (DOE) and their potential
contributions to economic recovery from the current COVID–19
pandemic. The hearing focused on two bills: H.R 8273, the Ener-
gizing Technology Transfer Act, which was in draft at the time,
and H.R. 3575, the Increasing and Mobilizing Partnerships to
Achieve Commercialization of Technologies (IMPACT) for Energy
Act.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Jetta Wong, President of JLW Advising; Former Direc-
tor of the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transi-
tions;
• Ms. Jennifer States, Director for Blue Economy at DNV
GL; Project Director of Washington Maritime Blue;
• Ms. Farah Benahmed, Climate and Energy Policy Advisor
at Third Way.
• Dr. Emily Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of Greentown
Labs; and
• Dr. Lee Cheatham, Director of Technology Deployment
and Outreach at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
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3.2(m). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–80
September 11, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH AT THE DEPART-
MENT OF ENERGY: LEVERAGING DOE’S UNIQUE CAPABILITIES TO RE-
SPOND TO THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the biological re-
search and development activities within the Department of En-
ergy Office of Science’s Biological and Environmental Research
(BER) program. The hearing examined the historic reasons for why
the Department has bioscience research capabilities, how this ex-
pertise and BER’s advanced research tools are being leveraged to
respond to the COVID–19 pandemic, and future directions for the
Department’s biological research activities.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Mary Maxon, Associate Laboratory Director for Bio-
sciences at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory;
• Dr. Debra Mohnen, Professor of the Department of Bio-
chemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia;
• Dr. Glenn C. Randall, Chair of the Committee on Microbi-
ology at the University of Chicago; and
• Dr. Kelly C. Wrighton, Associate Professor of the Depart-
ment of Soil and Crop Science at Colorado State University.
3.3 Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Environment
3.3(a). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–3
February 27, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: SEA CHANGE: IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ON OUR OCEANS AND COASTS
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the impacts of anthro-
pogenic carbon dioxide emissions on our oceans and coasts includ-
ing the state of the science of ocean warming, acidification,
deoxygenation, and sea level rise with special attention to findings
in recently published climate reports and the impacts of climate
change to coastal industry.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Sarah Cooley, Director, Ocean Acidification Program,
Ocean Conservancy;
• Dr. Radley Horton, Lamont Associate Research Professor,
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
Earth Institute;
• Dr. Thomas K. Frazer, Professor and Director, School of
Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida;
and
• Ms. Margaret A. Pilaro, Executive Director, Pacific Coast
Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA).
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3.3(b). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–12
April 30, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: A REVIEW OF THE NOAA FISCAL YEAR 2020
BUDGET REQUEST
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the President’s Fis-
cal Year (FY) 2020 budget request for the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration (NOAA) and associated issues.
Witness: The Honorable Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, per-
forming the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
3.3(c). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–20
May 16, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE FUTURE OF FORECASTING: BUILDING A
STRONGER U.S. WEATHER ENTERPRISE
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the state of the U.S.
Weather Enterprise and next steps that need to be taken to de-
velop U.S. leadership in weather modeling and forecasting, and the
coordination and collaboration between the different sectors to en-
sure that the U.S. Weather Enterprise can provide the most timely
and accurate weather products and services.
Witnesses:
• The Honorable Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, per-
forming the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration (NOAA);
• Dr. Louis Uccellini, Assistant Administrator for Weather
Services and Director of the National Weather Service, NOAA;
• Dr. Shuyi Chen, Professor, Department of Atmospheric
Sciences, University of Washington; and
• Dr. Christopher Fiebrich, Associate Director of the Okla-
homa Climatological Survey and Executive Director of the
Oklahoma Mesonet; and
• Mr. Rich Sorkin, CEO, Jupiter Intelligence.
3.3(d). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–25
June 5, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: OCEAN EXPLORATION: DIVING TO NEW
DEPTHS AND DISCOVERIES
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the state of U.S.
ocean exploration, ongoing research, scientific discoveries and ap-
plications, technological innovations, research gaps, and the future
of the field.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Katy Croff Bell, Founding Director, Open Ocean Initia-
tive, MIT Media Lab;
• Dr. Carlie Wiener, Director of Marine Communications,
Schmidt Ocean Institute;
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• Mr. Steve Barrett, Senior Vice President for Business De-
velopment, Oceaneering International; and
• Mr. David Lang, Co-founder, Sofar Ocean Technologies.
3.3(e). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–26
July 22, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE FIELD HEARING: WEATHERING THE STORM: IMPROVING
HURRICANE RESILIENCY THROUGH RESEARCH
Held at the Houston Community College, West Loop Campus Au-
ditorium, 5601 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77081. The purpose
of this hearing was to understand the state of current hurricane
and coastal resilience research in the U.S., and to identify knowl-
edge gaps and improvements to current research efforts.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, Assistant Administrator for Weath-
er Services, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA); Director, National Weather Service (NWS);
• Dr. Hanadi Rifai, P.E., John and Rebecca Moores Pro-
fessor; Director, Environmental Engineering Graduate Pro-
gram; Associate Dean Research and Facilities, Director of Hur-
ricane Resilience Research Institute (HuRRI), University of
Houston;
• Ms. Emily Grover-Kopec, Director of Insurance Practice,
One Concern, Inc.; and
• Mr. Jim Blackburn, Co-Director, Severe Storm Prediction,
Education & Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center;
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineer-
ing, Rice University.
3.3(f). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–52
October 23, 2019
JOINT-SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD,
WITH SPACE AND AERONAUTICS SUBCOMMITTEE: SPACE WEATHER:
ADVANCING RESEARCH, MONITORING, AND FORECASTING CAPABILI-
TIES
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the current state of
space weather research and federal efforts to monitor and predict
space weather events with a specific focus on identifying what is
needed to improve our space weather forecasting prediction capa-
bilities.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Bill Murtagh, Program Coordinator, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Pre-
diction Center (SWPC);
• Dr. Nicola Fox, Heliophysics Division Director, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and
• Dr. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., VADM USN (ret.), CEO
of GeoOptics, Inc; Former Under-Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator (2001–
2008).
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3.3(g). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–57
November 20, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: A TASK OF EPIC PROPORTIONS: RECLAIMING
U.S. LEADERSHIP IN WEATHER MODELING AND PREDICTION
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the development and
implementation of the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC),
which was recently authorized under the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration (NOAA) in the National Integrated
Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018, P.L.
115–423.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Envi-
ronmental Observation and Prediction, performing the duties
of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA);
• Dr. Cliff Mass, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Univer-
sity of Washington;
• Dr. Peter P. Neilley, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Di-
rector of Weather Forecasting Sciences and Technologies, The
Weather Company, An IBM Business; and
• Dr. Thomas Auligné, Director of the Joint Center for Sat-
ellite Data Assimilation, University Corporation for Atmos-
pheric Research (UCAR).
3.3(h). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–70
February 27, 2020
JOINT-SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD,
WITH INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE: AN EXAM-
INATION OF FEDERAL FLOOD MAPS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss how flooding and sea
level rise affect American property owners, how the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency (FEMA) uses science to inform its flood
products, how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion (NOAA) researches and communicates flooding and sea level
rise, and whether additional federal resources are needed to re-
search and communicate present and future flood risk to the pub-
lic.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Michael Grimm, Assistant Administrator for Risk
Management, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administra-
tion, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Depart-
ment of Homeland Security;
• Mr. Mark Osler, Senior Advisor for Coastal Inundation
and Resilience, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion, Department of Commerce;
• Mr. Ryan R. Branfort, PLS, GISP, Senior Vice President,
Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects; and
• Mr. Chad Berginnis, CFM, Executive Director, Association
of State Floodplain Managers.
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3.3(i). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–83
September 30, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: COPING WITH COMPOUND CRISES: EXTREME
WEATHER, SOCIAL INJUSTICE, AND A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the impacts of the
twin stressors of climate change and the COVID–19 pandemic to
environmental justice communities, the role of social and behav-
ioral sciences in risk communication of science-based messages re-
lated to these compound stressors, the gaps in emergency manage-
ment research to inform preparation and response, and the public
and human health impacts of dealing with disasters during a glob-
al pandemic.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Roxane Cohen Silver, Professor of Psychological
Science, Medicine, and Public Health, University of California,
Irvine; and
• Dr. Samantha Montano, Assistant Professor of Emergency
Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
3.4. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Investigations
and Oversight
3.4(a). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–9
March 27, 2019
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD, WITH ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: EPA’S
IRIS PROGRAM: REVIEWING ITS PROGRESS AND ROADBLOCKS AHEAD
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the current state of the
EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program in light
of the findings published in the March 4, 2019, Government Ac-
countability Office (GAO) report, ‘‘Status of EPA’s Efforts to
Produce Assessments and Implement the Toxic Substances Control
Act.’’ Additionally, witnesses provided their expert perspectives on
the EPA’s current status on implementing recommendations for the
IRIS program provided by the GAO and the National Academies of
Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS), as well as the unique
value of IRIS assessments.
Witnesses:
Panel 1:
• Dr. Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Principal Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Science for the Office of Research and Devel-
opment, and Science Advisor, Environmental Protection Agen-
cy; and
• Mr. Alfredo Gomez, Director, Natural Resources and Envi-
ronment, Government Accountability Office.
Panel 2:
• Dr. Bernard D. Goldstein, Professor Emeritus, Dean Emer-
itus, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public
Health;
• Dr. Ivan Rusyn, Professor, Department of Veterinary Inte-
grative Biosciences, Texas A&M University; Chair, Inter-
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disciplinary Faculty of Toxicology; Director, Texas A&M Super-
fund Research Center;
• Dr. Julie E. Goodman, Principal, Gradient; and
• Ms. Wilma Subra, President, Subra Company; Technical
Advisor, Louisiana Environmental Action Network.
3.4(b). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–22
May 21, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE NEED FOR RESILIENCE: PREPARING
AMERICA’S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the threat to trans-
portation assets posed by climate change, assess the current state
of federal research on transportation infrastructure climate resil-
ience, and explore strategies by which the federal research enter-
prise can complement state and local efforts on transportation cli-
mate resilience more effectively.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Susanne DesRoches, Deputy Director for Infrastruc-
ture and Energy, New York City Mayor’s Office of Resiliency
and Office of Sustainability;
• Mr. Gregory D. Winfree, Director, Texas A&M Transpor-
tation Institute (TTI);
• Mr. Jason Averill, Chief, Materials and Structural Systems
Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology; and
• Mr. Scott Reeve, President, Composite Advantage.
3.4(c). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–31
June 25, 2019
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD, WITH RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-
COMMITTEE: ELECTION SECURITY: VOTING TECHNOLOGY
VULNERABILITIES
The purpose of this hearing was to review the security of US
election system technologies, such as electronic pollbooks, voter reg-
istration systems, voting machines, and the maintenance and oper-
ations activities that support them.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Charles H. Romine, Director, Information Technology
Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology;
• Mr. Neal Kelley, Registrar of Voters, Orange County, Cali-
fornia;
• Dr. Latanya Sweeney, Professor of Government and Tech-
nology in Residence, Department of Government, Harvard Uni-
versity, Institute for Quantitative Social Science;
• Mr. Paul Ziriax, Secretary, Oklahoma State Election
Board; and
• Dr. Josh Benaloh, Senior Cryptographer, Microsoft Re-
search.
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3.4(d). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–38
July 16, 2019
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD, WITH ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: EPA
ADVISORY COMMITTEES: HOW SCIENCE SHOULD INFORM DECISIONS
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the state of federal
advisory committees at the EPA in light of the findings published
in the July 2019 Government Accountability Office report, EPA’s
Advisory Committees: Improvements Needed for the Member Ap-
pointment Process.
Witnesses:
• Mr. J. Alfredo Gomez, Director, Natural Resources and En-
vironment, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
• Dr. Thomas A. Burke, PhD, MPH, Jacob I. and Irene B.
Fabrikant Professor and Chair in Health Risk and Society,
Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University;
• Dr. Deborah Swackhamer, Professor Emerita, Humphrey
School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota; and
• Dr. Jonathan Samet, MD, MS, Dean, Colorado School of
Public Health.
3.4(e). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–47
September 26, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: ONLINE IMPOSTERS AND DISINFORMATION
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the enabling tech-
nologies for disinformation online, including deep fakes, explore
trends and emerging technology in the field, and consider research
strategies that could help stem the tide of malicious inauthentic be-
havior.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Siwei Lyu, Professor, Department of Computer
Science, Director, Computer Vision and Machine Learning Lab,
University at Albany, State University of New York;
• Dr. Hany Farid, Professor, Electrical Engineering & Com-
puter Science and the School of Information, University of
California, Berkeley; and
• Ms. Camille Francois, Chief Innovation Officer, Graphika.
3.4(f). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–50
October 15, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE FIELD HEARING: ADDRESSING THE LEAD CRISIS
THROUGH INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Held at the Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia,
MI 48154. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the preva-
lence and effects of lead in drinking water and the challenges that
local leaders face in addressing lead contamination. The Sub-
committee considered innovative science-based solutions for antici-
pating risk and preventing contamination and explored research
opportunities to help municipalities reduce lead exposure more
quickly and cost-effectively.
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Witnesses:
Panel I:
• The Honorable Joe DiVincenzo, Jr., County Executive,
Essex County, New Jersey;
• The Honorable Joseph Scarpelli, Mayor of Nutley, New
Jersey; and
• The Honorable Michael Venezia, Mayor of Bloomfield, New
Jersey.
Panel II:
• Dr. Diane Calello, Executive Medical Director, New Jersey
Poison Information and Education System and Associate Pro-
fessor of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers University;
• Dr. Marc Edwards, University Distinguished Professor,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute;
• Mr. Michael Ramos, Chief Engineer, Chicago Public
Schools; inventor, the Noah Auto Flushing device; and
• Dr. Eric Roy, Founder, Hydroviv.
3.4(g). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–66
February 5, 2020
JOINT-SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD, WITH ENERGY SUBCOMMITTEE: MANAGEMENT
AND SPENDING CHALLENGES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENER-
GY’S OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the Department of En-
ergy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(EERE) use of funds to advance clean energy research and develop-
ment. The Subcommittees discussed EERE’s ability to spend its
grant funding in a responsible manner and maintain adequate
staffing levels.
Witnesses:
Panel 1:
• Mr. Daniel Simmons, Assistant Secretary, Department of
Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Panel 2:
• Dr. Charles Gay, Member, Sandia National Laboratories
Energy and Homeland Security External Advisory Board;
former Director of the Solar Energy Technologies Office, De-
partment of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renew-
able Energy;
• Mr. Anthony M. Reardon, National President, National
Treasury Employees Union; and
• Mr. Arjun Krishnaswami, Policy Analyst, Climate & Clean
Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council.
3.4(h). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–74
June 19, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: REPURPOSING THERAPEUTIC DRUGS FOR
COVID–19: RESEARCH CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the scientific founda-
tions behind repurposing existing drugs for the treatment of
COVID–19. The Subcommittee discussed how researchers identify
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and test approved drugs—developed for other uses—that could less-
en the severity of COVID–19 symptoms, as well as the regulatory
approval process for the use of these drugs among infected pa-
tients.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Peter Lurie, President, Center for Science in the Public
Interest;
• Dr. James Finigan, Director of the Respiratory Centers of
Excellence, National Jewish Health;
• Dr. Rick Stevens, Associate Laboratory Director for Com-
puting, Environment and Life Sciences, Argonne National Lab-
oratory; and
• Dr. Benjamin Rome, Associate Physician, Brigham and
Women’s Hospital; Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard
Medical School.
3.4(i). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–78
July 28, 2020
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD, WITH RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-
COMMITTEE: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN COUNTERING TRAF-
FICKING IN PERSONS
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the role of science
and technology in assisting nongovernmental organizations, state,
local and federal governments, financial institutions, and others to
disrupt domestic and international human trafficking, including
trafficking for forced labor and sexual exploitation. An additional
purpose was to explore the research, technology development, and
coordination needs to strengthen federal anti-trafficking strategies
and to discuss the impact of COVID–19 on human trafficking re-
sponse.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Anjana Rajan, Chief Technology Officer, Polaris;
• Mr. Matthew Daggett, Technical Staff, Humanitarian As-
sistance and Disaster Relief Systems Group, Lincoln Labora-
tory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
• Ms. Emily Kennedy, President and Co-Founder, Marinus
Analytics; and
• Ms. Hannah Darnton, Associate Director of Ethics, Tech-
nology, and Human Rights, Business for Social Responsibility.
3.4(j). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–82
September 23, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: DATA FOR DECISION-MAKING: RESPONSIBLE
MANAGEMENT OF DATA DURING COVID–19 AND BEYOND
The purpose of this hearing was to explore COVID–19 data man-
agement at the local, state, and federal level, including how rel-
evant stakeholders are collecting, analyzing, and reporting data
that informs COVID–19 research and decision making. The Sub-
committee discussed how healthcare providers, scientists, and pub-
lic health agencies can ensure the integrity, accuracy, and trans-
parency of data in the midst of the COVID–19 pandemic.
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Witnesses:
• Dr. Lisa M. Lee, PhD, Associate Vice President for Re-
search and Innovation, Virginia Tech;
• Dr. Lisa L. Maragakis, MD, PhD, Senior Director of Infec-
tion Prevention, Johns Hopkins Health System;
• Mr. Avik Roy, President, Foundation for Research on
Equal Opportunity; and
• Ms. Janet Hamilton, MPH, Executive Director, Council of
State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
3.5. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Research and
Technology
3.5(a). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–8
March 12, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: ENGINEERING OUR WAY TO A SUSTAINABLE
BIOECONOMY
The purpose of this hearing was to review the opportunities and
challenges with new and emerging bioscience and biotechnologies
with application in agriculture, energy and manufacturing; to ex-
amine the role of the federal government in research and develop-
ment (R&D) and oversight of such science and technologies; and to
examine the status of U.S. leadership in engineering biology. An
additional purpose of this hearing was to receive testimony on the
Engineering Biology Research and Development Act, which would
establish a federal R&D initiative in engineering biology.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Rob Carlson, Managing Director of Bioeconomy Cap-
ital;
• Dr. Kevin Solomon, Assistant Professor of Agricultural &
Biological Engineering at Purdue University;
• Dr. Eric Hegg, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Bi-
ology at Michigan State University and Michigan State Univer-
sity Subcontract Lead at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research
Center;
• Dr. Sean Simpson, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder
of LanzaTech; and
• Dr. Laurie Zoloth, Margaret E. Burton Professor of Reli-
gion and Ethics and Senior Advisor to the Provost for Pro-
grams in Social Ethics at the University of Chicago.
3.5(b). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–8
March 26, 2019
JOINT-SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-
COMMITTEE LEAD, WITH ENERGY SUBCOMMITTEE: REVITALIZING
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
The purpose of this hearing was to review the successes and fur-
ther opportunities for the Manufacturing USA Institutes to achieve
the goal of improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.
The hearing also discussed the long-term sustainability of the In-
stitutes and explored how the Institutes are working to accelerate
the development of an advanced manufacturing workforce; leverage
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the existing national network of small and medium manufacturers;
and develop local and regional economic opportunities in advanced
manufacturing across America. An additional purpose of this hear-
ing was to examine ways to enable decarbonization of the manufac-
turing sector in an effort to transition to a carbon-free future, and
the role of the Manufacturing USA Institutes in achieving this
goal.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Ryan Myers, Director of Business Development, De-
partment of Defense, for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence;
• Mr. Mike Molnar, Director of the Office of Advanced Man-
ufacturing at the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology (NIST);
• Dr. John Hopkins, CEO of the Institute for Advanced Com-
posites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI);
• Ms. Valri Lightner, Acting Director of the Advanced Manu-
facturing Office under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Re-
newable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy; and
• Dr. Mitchell Dibbs, Associate R&D Director for External
Technology—Government Programs at Dow.
3.5(c). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–11
April 9, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY FY 2020 BUDGET REQUEST
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the President’s Fis-
cal Year 2020 budget request for the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology (NIST) and related policy and management
issues. The hearing also discussed major areas of research under
NIST’s laboratory programs, the agency’s role in working with in-
dustry to advance U.S. competitiveness, and key facilities construc-
tion and maintenance issues on both of NIST’s campuses.
Witness: The Honorable Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of
Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology.
3.5(d). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–13
April 30, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: CLOSING THE LOOP: EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES IN PLASTICS RECYCLING
The purpose of this hearing was to examine plastics recycling
challenges in the United States and discuss new and emerging
technologies to reduce the lifecycle impact of plastic.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Paul Sincock, City Manager for the City of Plymouth,
Michigan;
• Dr. Govind Menon, Director of the School of Science and
Technology and Chair of the Department of Physics and Chem-
istry at Troy University;
• Dr. Gregg Beckham, Senior Research Fellow at the Na-
tional Renewable Energy Laboratory; and
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• Mr. Tim Boven, Recycling Commercial Director, Packaging
and Specialty Plastics at Dow.
3.5(e). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–15
May 8, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION FY 2020 BUDGET REQUEST
The purpose of this hearing was to review the Administration’s
Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the National Science Founda-
tion and related policy and management issues.
Witnesses:
• Dr. France Córdova, Director of the National Science
Foundation; and
• Dr. Diane Souvaine, Chair of the National Science Board.
3.5(f). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–36
July 11, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: BUMPER TO BUMPER: THE NEED FOR A
NATIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AGENDA
The purpose of this hearing was to review the Department of
Transportation’s surface transportation research, development, and
demonstration and technology transfer activities; examine imple-
mentation of research provisions of the Fixing America’s Surface
Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST Act) and explore the need for a
long-term national surface transportation research agenda.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Tim Henkel, Chair of the Research and Technology
Coordinating Committee of the Transportation Research
Board; Assistant Commissioner of Modal Planning and Pro-
gram Management at the Minnesota Department of Transpor-
tation;
• Mr. Brian Ness, Director of the Idaho Transportation De-
partment; Chair of the American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials Special Committee on Research
and Innovation;
• Dr. Henry Liu, Director of the Center for Connected and
Automated Transportation and Professor in the Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor; and
• Dr. Darcy Bullock, Director of the Joint Transportation Re-
search Program and Lyles Family Professor in the Department
of Civil Engineering at Purdue University.
3.5(g). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–39
July 17, 2019
JOINT-SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-
COMMITTEE LEAD, WITH INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT SUB-
COMMITTEE: SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY IN FEDERAL AGENCIES
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the importance of sci-
entific integrity policies within federal agencies that fund, conduct,
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or oversee research and to examine the status of current such poli-
cies. An additional purpose of the hearing was the receive testi-
mony on H.R. 1709, the Scientific Integrity Act.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Michael Halpern, Deputy Director of the Center for
Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists;
• Mr. Joel Clement, Arctic Initiative Senior Fellow at the
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the John
F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University;
• Dr. Roger Pielke Jr., Director of the Sports Governance
Center and Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at
the University of Colorado, Boulder; and
• Mr. John Neumann, Managing Director of the Science,
Technology Assessment, and Analytics team at the U.S. Gov-
ernment Accountability Office.
3.5(h). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–42
July 25, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: BENIGN BY DESIGN: INNOVATIONS IN
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the challenges and op-
portunities for expanding the use of sustainable chemicals, produc-
tion processes, and stewardship practices throughout the chemical
science and engineering enterprise. The hearing also examined
what research, technologies, and strategies are needed to support
the adoption of sustainable chemistry innovations. An additional
purpose of the hearing was to receive testimony on the Sustainable
Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2019.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Tim Persons, Chief Scientist and Managing Director of
the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team at the
U.S. Government Accountability Office;
• Dr. John Warner, President and Chief Technology Officer
of the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry;
• Dr. Julie Zimmerman, Professor and Senior Associate
Dean in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and
Deputy Director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green
Engineering at Yale University;
• Ms. Anne Kolton, Executive Vice President of Communica-
tions, Sustainability, and Market Outreach at the American
Chemistry Council; and
• Mr. Mitchell Toomey, Director of Sustainability at BASF
in North America.
3.5(i). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–48
September 24, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE FUTURE
OF WORK
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the impact of ma-
chine learning and artificial intelligence on the workforce, includ-
ing issues related to worker displacement, retraining of the current
workforce, and developing a skilled technical workforce of the fu-
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ture that can thrive in an economy in which artificial intelligence
increasingly plays a role. An additional purpose of the hearing was
also to explore the disparate impacts on different industry sectors
and different populations, as well as issues of safety, privacy, and
security relevant to the human-technology interface.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Arthur Lupia, Assistant Director of the Directorate for
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences at the National
Science Foundation;
• Dr. Erik Brynjolfsson, Schussel Family Professor of Man-
agement Science and Director of The MIT Initiative on the
Digital Economy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
• Ms. Rebekah Kowalski, Vice President of Manufacturing
Services at ManpowerGroup; and
• Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech Community
College.
3.5(j). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–51
October 25, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE FIELD HEARING: SMART MOBILITY: IT’S A COMMUNITY
ISSUE
Held at the Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia,
MI 48154. The purpose of this hearing was to explore the use of
smart technology to improve the ability of small cities and subur-
ban communities to provide safe and efficient mobility solutions, to
examine the research and development needs to ensure this tech-
nology is accessible to diverse communities, and to consider best
practices for integration of community input and consideration of
unique community needs, as well as collaboration between public,
private, and academic stakeholders.
Witnesses:
• The Honorable David Coulter, Oakland County Executive;
• Mr. Mark Dowd, Executive Director of Smart Cities Lab;
• Dr. Raj Rajkumar, Director of Mobility21 and George Wes-
tinghouse Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at
Carnegie Mellon University;
• Dr. Tierra Bills, Assistant Professor Civil and Environ-
mental Engineering in the College of Engineering at Wayne
State University; and
• Mr. Scott Averitt, Technical Expert and Manager of Public/
Private Partnerships at Robert Bosch LLC.
3.5(k). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–59
December 4, 2019
JOINT-SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-
COMMITTEE LEAD, WITH ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: CALM BE-
FORE THE STORM: REAUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL WINDSTORM IM-
PACT REDUCTION PROGRAM
The purpose of this hearing was to review the activities of the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) and to
consider opportunities and challenges to improved wind resilience
and priorities for the next NWIRP reauthorization.
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Witnesses:
• Dr. Scott Weaver, Director of the National Windstorm Im-
pact Reduction Program at the National Institute of Standards
and Technology;
• Major General Lee Tafanelli, Kansas Adjutant General
and Director of Kansas Homeland Security and Director of
Emergency Management;
• Dr. Delong Zuo, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at
the National Wind Institute at Texas Tech University; and
• Mr. Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation and Execu-
tive Director of the Alliance for National and Community Re-
silience at the International Code Council.
3.5(l). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–65
February 5, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: AMERICA’S SEED FUND: A REVIEW OF SBIR
AND STTR
The purpose of this hearing was to hold a review of the role of
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program in helping to
move the results of federally funded research into commercial de-
velopment and generating new economic growth, as well as in as-
sisting federal science agencies in meeting their respective mis-
sions. An additional purpose of the hearing was to consider rec-
ommendations for improvements to the SBIR and STTR Programs
and to receive testimony on The Small Business Innovation Re-
search and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act
of 2019.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Dawn Tilbury, Assistant Director of the Directorate of
Engineering at the National Science Foundation;
• Dr. Maryann Feldman, S.K. Heninger Distinguished Pro-
fessor of Public Policy in the Department of Public Policy; Ad-
junct Professor of Finance in the Kenan-Flagler Business
School; Faculty Director of CREATE in the Kenan Institute of
Private Enterprise at The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill;
• Mr. Nicholas Cuccinelli, Chief Executive Officer of
Endectra; and
• Dr. Johnny Park, Chief Executive Officer of Wabash
Heartland Innovation Network.
3.5(m). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–67
February 11, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: MORE HIRES, FEWER HACKS: DEVELOPING
THE U.S. CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the challenges faced
by organizations in both the public and private sectors in recruiting
and training skilled cybersecurity professionals and discuss strate-
gies to expand and diversify the cybersecurity workforce pipeline to
meet the demand. An additional purpose of the hearing was to as-
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sess the federal programs designed to address this workforce short-
age.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Rodney Petersen, Director of the National Initiative
for Cybersecurity Education at the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology;
• Dr. Ambareen Siraj, Professor of Computer Science and
Director of the Cybersecurity Education Research and Out-
reach Center at Tennessee Tech University;
• Mr. Joseph Sawasky, President and Chief Executive Offi-
cer of Merit Network, Inc.; and
• Ms. Sonya Miller, HR Director at IBM Security and Enter-
prise & Technology Security.
3.5(n). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–72
March 11, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
The purpose of this hearing was to explore the major areas of re-
search under the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) laboratory programs, the agency’s role in working with in-
dustry to advance U.S. competitiveness, and key facilities construc-
tion and maintenance issues on the NIST campuses in Maryland
and Colorado. An additional purpose of the hearing was to review
the President’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal for NIST.
Witness: The Honorable Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of
Commerce for Standards and Technology, and Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology.
3.5(o). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–79
September 9, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE IMPACT OF COVID–19 CRISIS ON
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the near- and long-
term impacts of the COVID–19 crisis on the U.S. academic re-
search enterprise. The Committee also heard about the steps uni-
versities have taken to slow the spread of the virus and the impact
such measures have had on the progress of research and the pipe-
line of STEM talent. The Committee explored what is needed for
universities to recover from these setbacks and safely ramp up re-
search programs. An additional purpose of this hearing was to hear
testimony on the Research Investment to Spark the Economy
(RISE) Act and the Supporting Early Career Researchers Act.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Joseph Walsh, Interim Vice President for Economic
Development and Innovation for the University of Illinois Sys-
tem;
• Dr. David Stone, Vice President of Research at Oakland
University;
• Dr. Theresa Mayer, Executive Vice President for Research
and Partnerships at Purdue University; and
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• Mr. Ryan Muzzio, Physics Ph.D. Student at Carnegie Mel-
lon University.
3.6. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics
3.6(a). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–16
May 8, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: KEEPING OUR SIGHTS ON MARS: A REVIEW
OF NASA’S DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION PROGRAMS AND LUNAR PRO-
POSAL
The purpose of this hearing was to review NASA’s deep space
human exploration programs, including proposed lunar activities
and the budgetary resource requirements for those activities, in the
context of the long-term goal of sending humans to the surface of
Mars.
Witnesses:
• Mr. William H. Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator,
Human Exploration and Operations, NASA;
• Mr. Mark Sirangelo, Special Assistant to the Adminis-
trator, NASA;
• Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Director, Cornell Center for Astro-
physics and Planetary Science; Co- Chair of the Former Com-
mittee on Human Spaceflight, National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine;
• Dr. Patricia Sanders, Chair, Aerospace Safety Advisory
Panel; and
• Mr. Walt Faulconer, President, Faulconer Consulting
Group, LLC.
3.6(b). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–27
June 11, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: DISCOVERY ON THE FRONTIERS OF SPACE:
EXPLORING NASA’S SCIENCE MISSION
The purpose of this hearing was to review NASA’s activities and
plans for its Earth and space science programs, including the Earth
Science, Planetary Science, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics divi-
sions of the Science Mission Directorate, and associated issues.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator,
Science Mission Directorate, NASA;
• Dr. Chelle L. Gentemann, Senior Scientist, Earth and
Space Research; Co-chair, Committee on Earth Science and Ap-
plications from Space, Space Studies Board, National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine;
• Dr. David Spergel, Charles Young Professor of Astronomy,
Princeton University; Director, Center for Computational As-
trophysics, Flatiron Institute; Former Chair, Space Studies
Board, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Med-
icine; and
• Dr. Mark Sykes, Chief Executive Officer and Director,
Planetary Science Institute.
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3.6(c). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–33
June 26, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: EXPLORING NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION’S AERONAUTICS MISSION: ENABLING THE
TRANSFORMATION OF AVIATION
The purpose of this hearing was to review the programs, activi-
ties, and plans of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Direc-
torate, and associated issues.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Jaiwon Shin, Associate Administrator, Aeronautics Re-
search Mission Directorate, NASA;
• Dr. Alan H. Epstein, R.C. Maclaurin Professor Emeritus of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology; Chair, Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, Na-
tional Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine;
• Dr. Ilan Kroo, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
Stanford University; and
• Dr. Mark Lewis, Director, IDA Science & Technology Pol-
icy Institute; Professor Emeritus of Aerospace Engineering,
University of Maryland.
3.6(d). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–34
July 10, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: A REVIEW OF NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION’S PLANS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES IN LOW EARTH ORBIT
The purpose of this hearing was to examine NASA’s plans for the
International Space Station and future activities in low Earth
orbit, and associated issues.
Witnesses:
• Mr. William H. Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator,
Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate,
NASA;
• The Honorable Paul K. Martin, Inspector General, NASA;
• Professor Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, Emerita, University
of Mississippi; Editor-in-Chief Emerita, Journal of Space Law;
and
• Mr. Eric W. Stallmer, President, Commercial Spaceflight
Federation.
3.6(e). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–42
July 25, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: THE COMMERCIAL SPACE LANDSCAPE:
INNOVATION, MARKET, AND POLICY
The purpose of this hearing was to provide an overview of the
commercial space industry, including innovative capabilities, the
market, policy issues, and associated matters.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Bhavya Lal, Research Staff Member, IDA Science and
Technology Policy Institute;
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• Ms. Carissa Christensen, Chief Executive Officer, Bryce
Space and Technology;
• Mr. Eric Stallmer, President, Commercial Spaceflight Fed-
eration;
• Mr. Michael French, Vice President, Space Systems, Aero-
space Industries Association; and
• Ms. Laura Montgomery, Proprietor, Ground Based Space
Matters; Professor, Catholic University’s Columbus School of
Law.
3.6(f). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–44
September 18, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: DEVELOPING CORE CAPABILITIES FOR DEEP
SPACE EXPLORATION: AN UPDATE ON NASA’S SLS, ORION, AND EX-
PLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the status, including
the progress, challenges, and other issues, of NASA’s Exploration
Systems Development programs (the Space Launch System, Orion
Multipurpose Crew Vehicle, and Exploration Ground Systems).
Witnesses:
• Mr. Kenneth Bowersox, Associate Administrator (Acting),
Human Exploration and Operations, NASA;
• Ms. Cristina Chaplain, Director, Contracting and National
Security Acquisitions, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
and
• Mr. Doug Cooke, Owner, Cooke Concepts and Solutions;
Former Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems, NASA.
3.6(g). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–54.
November 13, 2019
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: KEEPING OUR SIGHTS ON MARS PART 2:
STRUCTURING A MOON-MARS PROGRAM FOR SUCCESS
The purpose of this hearing was to obtain perspectives on what
is needed to establish a successful and sustainable Moon to Mars
initiative, including information needed to inform decisions on the
objectives, planning, architecture, acquisition, and implementation
of a Moon to Mars initiative, among other factors.
Witnesses:
• Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Ret.); Member,
National Academy of Engineering; Chairman, NASA ISS Advi-
sory Committee; Pilot, Gemini 6; Commander, Gemini 9; Cdr.
Apollo 10; Cdr. Apollo/Apollo-Soyuz Test Program; Former
USAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and
Acquisition; and
• Mr. A. Thomas Young, Former Director of NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center; Former President and Chief Operating
Officer, Martin Marietta Corp.
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3.6(h). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–68
February 11, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: KEY
ISSUES IN AN EVOLVING LANDSCAPE
The purpose of this hearing was to examine issues related to
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), how the changing space envi-
ronment is challenging the current SSA system, and the factors an-
ticipated to influence SSA in the future. The hearing also explored
approaches to addressing the challenges, including activities at the
international level.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Brian Weeden, Director of Program Planning, Secure
World Foundation;
• Mr. Daniel Oltrogge, AIAA Space Traffic Management
Space Governance Task Force Chair; Founder and Adminis-
trator, Space Safety Coalition; Official International Standards
Organization (ISO) representative to the United Nations Com-
mittee for the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS);
• Professor Joanne Gabrynowicz, Professor Emerita of Space
Law, University of Mississippi Law Center;
• Professor Danielle Wood, Director of the Space Enabled
Research Group, Assistant Professor of Media Arts & Sciences
and Aeronautics & Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology; and
• Dr. Ruth Stilwell, Adjunct Professor, Norwich University;
Senior Non-Resident Scholar, Space Policy Institute, George
Washington University.
3.6(i). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–75
June 23, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: R&D TO SUPPORT HEALTHY AIR TRAVEL IN
THE COVID–19 ERA AND BEYOND
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the status of R&D
related to supporting healthy air travel during COVID–19 and fu-
ture pandemics, and other issues.
Witnesses:
• Ms. Heather Krause, Director, Physical Infrastructure
Issues, Government Accountability Office;
• Dr. Byron Jones P.E., Professor, Alan Levin Department of
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering; Director, National Gas
Machinery Laboratory, Kansas State University; and
• Dr. Vicki Hertzberg, Professor and Director, Center for
Data Science, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing,
Emory University.
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3.6(j). HEARING VOLUME NO. 116–81
September 18, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: CYBERSECURITY AT NASA: ONGOING CHAL-
LENGES AND EMERGING ISSUES FOR INCREASED TELEWORK DURING
COVID–19
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the status of NASA’s
cybersecurity and information technology management, policies,
and practices, including cybersecurity challenges associated with
increased telework and remote operations during the COVID–19
pandemic, and other issues.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Jeff Seaton, Chief Information Officer (Acting), NASA;
• The Honorable Paul K. Martin, Inspector General, NASA;
and
• Diana L. Burley, PhD, Vice Provost for Research, Amer-
ican University.
HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND
TECHNOLOGY
The Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik 1, into
orbit on October 4, 1957, initiating the ‘‘Space Race.’’ When the
85th Congress reconvened in 1958, one of its first tasks was the
creation of a Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Explo-
ration. This Select Committee wrote the Space Act, which estab-
lished the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
and the permanent House Committee on Science and Astronautics,
the forerunner of the present Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology.
The Science and Astronautics Committee was the first standing
committee created in the House in 11 years and the first committee
since 1892 to be established for an entirely new area of jurisdiction.
The Committee’s initial jurisdiction included exploration and con-
trol of outer space, astronautical research and development, sci-
entific research and development, science scholarships and legisla-
tion relating to scientific agencies. The scientific agencies under the
Committee initially included the National Bureau of Standards
(now the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Council and the Na-
tional Science Foundation (NSF).
In 1974, the Committee’s name was changed to the ‘‘Committee
on Science and Technology.’’ At that time, the Committee’s jurisdic-
tion was expanded to include legislation related to energy, the envi-
ronment, the atmosphere, civil aviation research and development
and the National Weather Service. The Committee on Science and
Technology was also given a ‘‘special oversight’’ function providing
for exclusive responsibility among all Congressional Standing Com-
mittees to review and study, on a continuing basis, all laws, pro-
grams and government activities involving Federal non-military re-
search and development.
Civilian nuclear research and development was added to the
Committee’s jurisdiction in 1977 when the Joint Committee on
Atomic Energy was abolished. The name was again changed at the
outset of the 100th Congress to the Committee on Science, Space,
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and Technology. The Republican Party took control of the House in
1995 and officially changed the name to the ‘‘Committee on
Science.’’
In its early years, the Committee was an important partner in
the Apollo Program that led to a man landing on the moon and
strengthening science education and scientific research. After the
Committee’s role expanded, the Committee has played an impor-
tant role in much of the legislation Congress has considered deal-
ing with domestic and international science, technology, standards,
and competitiveness.
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, terrorism
moved to the forefront of the Committee’s agenda. The Science
Committee worked to ensure that the Federal Government was in-
vesting in the science and technology necessary to combat ter-
rorism over the long term and to assist our nation’s first respond-
ers. Congress established the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) in 2002 primarily to improve the nation’s ability to prevent
terrorist attacks. The Science and Technology Directorate—created
though bill language developed by the Committee on Science and
Technology—funds research, development, testing and evaluation
to improve homeland security, and works to transfer relevant tech-
nologies to federal, state, and local governments, and the private
sector.
When Democrats resumed control of Congress in 2007, the name
of Committee was changed back to the ‘‘Committee on Science and
Technology.’’ Enhancing long-term economic competitiveness
through investments in science and technology emerged as a cen-
terpiece of Committee activities in the 110th and 111th Congresses.
In response to the National Academies’ landmark report, Rising
Above the Gathering Storm, the Committee led a bipartisan effort
to advance the Academies’ recommendations, culminating in Presi-
dent Bush’s signature of the America COMPETES Act in 2007. The
legislation, as enacted, put the budgets of three key federal science
agencies on a path to double over ten years: NSF, NIST, and DOE
Office of Science. In 2010, a reauthorization of the America COM-
PETES Act extended and expanded activities called for in the origi-
nal legislation. It passed as one of the last votes of the 111th Con-
gress and was signed into law in January, 2011.
In the 112th Congress, Chairman Ralph Hall has added ‘‘Space’’
back into the Committee’s name: ‘‘The Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology’’—a nod to the Committee’s history, broad
jurisdiction, and the importance of space exploration in maintain-
ing American innovation and competitiveness.
During the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses, the Science,
Space, and Technology pursued a vigorous agenda of oversight of
both federal programs and non-Federal entities under Chairman
Lamar Smith. During this time, the committee also moved a num-
ber of space related bills, including notably, the U.S. Commercial
Space Launch Competitiveness Act in the 114th Congress.
At the start of the 116th Congress, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice
Johnson became the first woman and first African American to
Chair the Committee. The first session of the 116th Congress saw
a return to extensive bipartisan legislating, with many of the Com-
mittee’s key pieces of legislation sponsored or cosponsored by both
Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Frank D. Lucas. The
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second session of the 116th Congress brought unprecedented chal-
lenges related to the COVID–19 pandemic. During this session, and
pursuant to changes to the House Rules, the Committee held its
first remote hearings conducted via the internet.
Today the Committee has jurisdiction over much of the non-de-
fense federal research and development (R&D) portfolio. The Com-
mittee has exclusive jurisdiction over NASA, NSF, NIST, the Na-
tional Weather Service, and the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy and National Space Council. The Committee also
has authority over the R&D activities at DOE and civilian National
Laboratories, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of the Interior,
U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Department of
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Homeland Security, and U.S. Fire Administration.
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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY,
Washington, DC, March 8, 2019.
Hon. JOHN YARMUTH,
Chairman, Committee on the Budget,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Hon. STEVE WOMACK,
Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
CHAIRMAN YARMUTH AND RANKING MEMBER WOMACK: Please
find enclosed the Majority Views and Estimates of the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology on the FY 2020 Budget Request.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON,
Chairwoman.
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Views and Estimates of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology on the FY 2020 Budget Request for Sub-
mission to the Budget Committee
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON.
BILL FOSTER.
DANIEL LIPINSKI.
SUZANNE BONAMICI.
DONALD S. BEYER, JR.
MIKIE SHERRILL.
SEAN CASTEN.
KATIE HILL.
JENNIFER WEXTON.
PAUL D. TONKO.
JERRY MCNERNEY.
BRAD SHERMAN.
STEVE COHEN.
AMI BERA.
KENDRA S. HORN.
LIZZIE FLETCHER.
ED PERLMUTTER.
CONOR LAMB.
CHARLIE CRIST.
HALEY M. STEVENS.
ZOE LOFGREN.
Views and Estimates of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology on the FY 2020 Budget Request for Sub-
mission to the Budget Committee
While it obviously is impossible to prepare a comprehensive re-
view of the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget request given
that the FY 2020 budget request has not yet been released to Con-
gress, we would note that in the President’s FY 2019 budget re-
quest we witnessed a continued disregard for science as massive
cuts were made to vital research and development (R&D) funding.
Unfortunately, we again expect to see more proposed cuts in crucial
funding areas like R&D, innovation, education, and technology in
the FY 2020 request. We will not attempt to engage in detailed dis-
cussion of recommended funding levels for specific programs in
these Views and Estimates. However, upon the release of the Presi-
dent’s FY 2020 budget, we urge the Budget Committee, as it works
to craft its Budget Resolution, to reject further cuts to civilian R&D
and science and technology programs. These programs are vital to
our scientific enterprise and further cutbacks would put our Na-
tion’s global competitiveness in jeopardy. We need to invest in our
research agencies NASA, NOAA, NSF, NIST, DOE, EPA, and oth-
ers that enhance America’s economic strength, address our national
priorities, advance knowledge, and inspire our youth.
Below are a few key priorities that we wanted to highlight. We
hope they will be supported in the Budget Resolution presented to
the House of Representatives.
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Clean Energy Technologies
Department of Energy (DOE) funds a wide range of research, de-
velopment, demonstration, and commercial application activities.
Given the President’s repeated promises to revitalize American in-
frastructure, and the need to transition to a clean energy economy,
we believe strong investments across DOE’s civilian energy activi-
ties should be a top priority. Instead, the Trump Administration
has continually proposed cutting the Department of Energy’s
science and technology programs in its past budget requests. These
proposed cuts would have significantly harmed the development of
new clean energy technologies and done lasting damage to the U.S.
research enterprise. Despite the proposed cuts for FY 2019, Con-
gress provided DOE with an overall funding increase of 3.3% or
$1.14 billion over its FY 2018 level.
While the Administration requested the elimination of ARPA–E
and the Loan Programs Office (LPO), Congress provided $366 mil-
lion for ARPA–E, a 3.6% increase from FY 2018, and maintained
LPO’s spending authority. Given ARPA–E’s and LPO’s strong
records of success we support increased investments (in the case of
ARPA–E) and increased leveraging of current statutory loan and
loan guarantee authorities (in the case of LPO) going forward.
DOE’s other energy technology offices received funding increases
from Congress in FY 2019 despite the Administration proposing
significant cuts in its request. These include the Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy R&D, and Nuclear
Energy. The activities of the Office of Electricity and the Office of
Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response were
also slated for large decreases in FY 2019 by the Administration,
which Congress rejected. To enhance these programs’ roles in accel-
erating the United States toward a clean energy economy, we sup-
port continued increases to their funding well above inflationary
levels.
The Trump Administration’s FY 2019 request would also have
cut the Office of Science’s overall budget by 14% compared to FY
2018 funding levels. Yet the funding approved by Congress in-
creased support for this Office by 5%, totaling $6.59 billion. The Of-
fice of Science is responsible for carrying out some of the most im-
portant science and energy research programs in the world. With-
out consistent, strong investments, the world-class user facilities
and national laboratories stewarded by the Office will experience
setbacks in facility construction, operations, and critical upgrades.
Within the Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences received a 6%
(or $32 million) funding increase, despite the Administration’s pro-
posal to cut this critical program by 36.1%. The ITER project, with-
in the Fusion Energy Sciences program, ultimately received $10
million more compared to FY 2018 in contrast to a 38.5% cut pro-
posed by the Administration, but its overall funding still failed to
meet the levels that DOE has projected are required to keep this
project on schedule and minimize its cost. Due to the previous
shortfalls in meeting the U.S. commitments to this project, the re-
quired investment in the U.S. contribution to the ITER project is
now $280 million in FY 2020, including $100 million for the cash
contribution to the ITER Organization. We would strongly urge
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that substantially stronger support for each of these programs be
in the Budget Resolution.
Strong Environmental Protection Agency
Though a few will point to the successes of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in protecting public health and the envi-
ronment over the past 40 years as a reason to stop pushing for
stricter limits on pollution, it is important to note that these pro-
tections must be sustained with robust funding for the Agency.
Maintaining clean air and water, and protecting our most vulner-
able populations from environmental contaminants, is a continuing
endeavor. We should be investing more in EPA, not less. America
has proven that a strong economy and a healthy and safe environ-
ment are not mutually exclusive.
This Administration has sought to cut the overall budget of the
Agency by over 25% in both the FY 2018 and FY 2019 proposed
budget requests. The Office of Research and Development (ORD),
responsible for crosscutting research programs that provide the sci-
entific foundation for many of the Agency’s regulatory actions, has
seen dramatic proposed cuts from this Administration of almost
50% in both the FY 2018 and FY 2019 budget requests, with some
programs proposed to be eliminated altogether. Fortunately, Con-
gress has stepped in these past two years and rejected these dras-
tic cuts.
The FY 2019 Omnibus Appropriations Act provided flat funding
compared to the FY 2018 enacted budget for both the Agency over-
all, as well as the Science and Technology programs. The FY 2019
Omnibus bill also provides funding for extramural research
through the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Research Grants,
which funds research that is unique to the EPA and is not funded
anywhere else in the federal government.
We would urge the Budget Committee to continue on the path
laid out in the FY 2019 Omnibus Appropriations Act and maintain
the top-line funding for the Agency and the EPA’s Science and
Technology programs, while continuing to provide sustained fund-
ing for the Office of Research and Development to meet critical re-
search needs.
Climate Change Research
Last year, the publication of the second volume of the Fourth Na-
tional Climate Assessment made it clear that our climate is already
changing and will affect all Americans across the country. Our
coastal communities are being threatened by rising sea levels,
strong storm surges, and heavy precipitation. We have seen un-
precedented extreme weather events in 2017 and 2018 ranging
from drought, flooding, wildfires, and record heat and cold waves,
which caused billions of dollars in disaster costs annually. These
events are becoming more intense and frequent due to a changing
climate, and will have numerous impacts to our public health, our
economy, and our society.
Though our understanding of the physical drivers of climate
change has improved, there is a clear need for continued sustained
funding for research at agencies such as NOAA and NASA that
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will help inform robust solutions to one of our nation’s greatest
challenges: climate change.
Civil Space and Aeronautics
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has
long been recognized as the world leader in aeronautics and space
research and exploration. We support robust funding that will
allow NASA to maintain a balanced and healthy portfolio of pro-
grams in aeronautics, Earth and space science, technology develop-
ment, and human spaceflight and exploration, as well as allowing
investments in the infrastructure that will be required if NASA is
to carry out the tasks our nation has given it.
With respect to NASA, ensuring the health of all of NASA’s mis-
sion areas will require, among other things, that: scientific prior-
ities established by the National Academies decadal surveys con-
tinue to be supported; NASA’s role in educating and inspiring the
next generation is maintained through its educational programs;
that NASA’s space technology research and development program
continues to support cross-cutting mission areas; and, that any new
initiatives in exploration be funded through increasing NASA’s
topline budget and not by robbing Peter to pay Paul.
The FY 2019 NASA budget request of $19.89 billion proposed to
initiate a significant lunar exploration program by cutting high pri-
ority science and educational activities. In addition, the FY 2019
budget for NASA proposed a topline budget for NASA that was as-
sumed to remain flat in the outyears. That approach is not one
that facilitates sustainability, a much needed element of a long-
term exploration program. Congress, in maintaining its strong, bi-
partisan support of NASA, appropriated $21.5 billion for FY 2019,
a $1.6 billion increase over the enacted FY 2018 appropriation. In
addition, Congress sustained funding for high-priority science and
educational activities that were proposed to be eliminated in the
FY 2019 budget proposal.
For FY 2020, we urge the Budget Committee to advocate for
NASA funding that supports a robust, multi-mission agency, and
that NASA’s proposed outyear budgets reflect the resources re-
quired to maintain NASA’s inspiring mission and global leadership
in aeronautics, science, technology, and human exploration.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
is responsible for collecting environmental data with its cutting-
edge network of satellites and in-situ observations, and uses this
data to protect life and property through weather forecasts and
warnings of hazardous weather by the National Weather Service.
This Administration’s last two budget requests have called for
draconian cuts to the line offices within the Committee’s jurisdic-
tion, and has proposed deep cuts or complete elimination of numer-
ous climate, oceanic, and atmospheric programs and grants. The
FY 2019 Omnibus Appropriations Act provides $5.4 billion for
NOAA, almost $900 million above the budget request, which in-
cludes funding for climate research, the National Weather Service,
and procurement of future weather satellites.
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We encourage the Budget Committee to maintain robust funding
for NOAA across all line offices, especially for environmental data
collection and scientific research needs to ensure the agency can
continue to meet its critical mission.
It is also imperative that funding for the next generation of
NOAA’s weather satellites be maintained to ensure that those sat-
ellite programs remain on track for successful development and
launch.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Unfortunately, we expect another disappointing budget request
for the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF is the only federal
agency to support basic research across all fields of science and en-
gineering. At a time of increasing global competition and national
urgency in critical research areas like quantum science, artificial
intelligence, the future of work, and climate change, the Adminis-
tration proposed a 4 percent cut to NSF for FY 2019, and an 11
percent cut in FY 2018. Congress had it right by appropriating a
4 percent budget increase for NSF in FY 2019. At a minimum, NSF
should be funded at the FY 2019 level to support the cutting edge
research that makes the U.S. the global leader in innovation.
National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)
For two years in a row, the Administration requested significant
cuts to the NIST budget. In FY 2018, it was a 24 percent cut, in-
cluding a 13 percent cut to NIST’s core measurement research and
standards account, and complete elimination of the Manufacturing
Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. There were cuts across the
board, including in areas of immediate importance to U.S. competi-
tiveness and national security. Two years in a row the Administra-
tion also proposed to slash funding for forensics research, including
the elimination of funding for the Forensic Science Center of Excel-
lence awarded in 2015, as well as funding for the Organization of
Scientific Area Committees which led the forensic standards devel-
opment process—even though the evidence is clear that there is
much more work that needs to be done to strengthen forensic
science and standards. The Administration also proposed to termi-
nate support for three university-based testbeds under the Green-
house Gas Measurements program, as well as for several other en-
vironmental measurements projects across NIST laboratories. The
refusal to measure our changing environment doesn’t mean it is
not changing—it just means we won’t have all the tools needed to
prepare for and adapt to those changes. Even support for NIST’s
two major user facilities, the Center for Neutron Research and the
NanoFab, was slated for cuts. We write this without an FY 2020
request in hand, but with little doubt that we will see an equally
alarming budget request this year.
NIST is one of the most important but underappreciated agencies
in our government. The work NIST does with its relatively modest
budget yields incalculable benefits to the competitiveness of U.S.
industry across all sectors while also protecting the security, pri-
vacy, safety, and wellbeing of all Americans. Any proposed cuts to
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NIST should be rejected. To the contrary, NIST is worthy of addi-
tional support in the Budget Resolution.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS’s Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate is responsible
for providing the research and technology capabilities for the oper-
ational components of the Department. While the FY 2019 funding
level of $309 million represented a 2.5 percent decrease from FY
2018, it was still a clear rebuke of the Administration’s FY 2019
proposal to cut the office by 29 percent. The Countering Weapons
of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), which combined the functions
of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Office of Health
Affairs, received a nearly 5 percent decrease in FY 2019. S&T and
CWMD carry out critical research and development programs in cy-
bersecurity, first responder technologies, critical infrastructure re-
silience, threat detection, and many more areas that keep Ameri-
cans safe. For fiscal year 2020, we urge the Budget Committee to
provide the level of funding necessary to fully support the work of
both the S&T Directorate and CWMD Office.
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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY,
Washington, DC, March 13, 2019.
Hon. JOHN YARMUTH,
Chairman, Committee on the Budget,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Hon. STEVE WOMACK,
Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
CHAIRMAN YARMUTH AND RANKING MEMBER WOMACK: Please
find enclosed the Minority Views and Estimates of the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology on the FY 2020 Budget Request.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
FRANK D. LUCAS,
Ranking Member.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES OF THE REPUBLICAN
MEMBERS OF THE COMMlTTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE,
AND TECHNOLOGY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Science and technology are essential to America’s national de-
fense and economic security. The basic research our government
supports is foundational to our economic success. It allows us to
stay at the forefront of cybersecurity, medical treatments, agricul-
tural production, and technological exports.
The Republican Members of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology will continue to build on the Committee’s work
over the last eight years to ensure that the United States remains
the world’s leader in Research and Development. This is not an
easy task as we face enormous budget challenges. But it can be
done. On a bipartisan basis this year Congress supported $151.5
billion in Fiscal Year 2019 for federal R&D, a 6 percent increase
and the highest point ever in inflation-adjusted dollars.
Committee Republicans will seek to increase support for basic re-
search in the physical sciences. These are the areas with the great-
est potential for scientific breakthroughs that will benefit new in-
dustries and U.S. jobs. America’s universities and research institu-
tions carry out federally-funded basic and fundamental scientific
research that drives new discoveries and innovations—creating
new companies, new industries, more private sector jobs, and eco-
nomic growth and security.
Committee Republicans support reauthorizing key federal science
agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration (NASA), the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of
Science and applied energy programs, the National Science Foun-
dation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s re-
search, data, and weather programs, science and technology at the
Department of Homeland Security, and research and development
components within the Federal Aviation Administration.
Department of Energy {DOE)
• The minority seeks to prioritize basic research and science as
directed in P.L. 115–246, the Department of Energy Research and
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Innovation Act, which was signed into law in September 2018. The
minority seeks to provide researchers in all 50 states with access
to world-class user facilities, including supercomputers and light
sources at DOE national labs. Federal funding focused on the com-
mercialization of energy technologies often competes with private
sector funding, and rarely provides the best investment of taxpayer
dollars. A more appropriate role for the federal government spon-
soring basic scientific research that cannot be undertaken by indus-
try, often carried out in universities and the DOE national labs.
• The minority supports robust funding for the DOE Office of
Science account funding level in Function 250. The minority will
seek to prioritize basic research in the physical sciences, with spe-
cific focus on providing funding to high performance computing, nu-
clear physics, high energy physics, fusion energy sciences, and in-
vestments in critical user facility upgrades across the DOE na-
tional lab complex.
• The minority supports responsible funding for the DOE applied
energy research programs, prioritizing early-stage research applied
research that cannot be undertaken by industry. This includes in-
vesting in user facilities and computing capabilities that facilitate
the demonstration of technologies to improve the efficiency, afford-
ability, and reliability of all forms of energy.
• The minority recognizes that nuclear power is a vital emis-
sions-free energy source, and seeks to prioritize nuclear energy
R&D in accordance with P.L. 115–248, the Nuclear Energy Innova-
tion Capabilities Act, which was signed into law in September
2018. This legislation authorizes the construction of the Versatile
Test Reactor user facility, and combines the strengths of the DOE
national labs, universities, and the private sector in the establish-
ment of the National Reactor Innovation Center. These are critical
tools necessary to facilitate private sector development of advanced
nuclear reactor technology, and the minority is committed to ensur-
ing full implementation of this legislation.
• The National Quantum Initiative Act (P.L. 115–368) was
signed into law by the President in December 2018. This legislation
authorizes basic research in quantum information science within
the DOE Office of Science, and the establishment of up to five Na-
tional Quantum Information Science Research Centers. The minor-
ity supports full implementation of this legislation.
• The minority seeks to promote collaborative, interagency re-
search partnerships that leverage DOE’s world-class computing ca-
pabilities. The minority supports passage of H.R. 617, the Depart-
ment of Energy Veterans’ Health Initiative Act, which authorizes
the continuation of the MVP-CHAMPION partnership with the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and a two-year DOE pilot program
to advance research in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and
computational research. Through this legislation, the minority
strives to further enhance DOE’s computing capabilities to meet
nuclear science, energy, and security mission goals of the Depart-
ment.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science
• EPA funding should be reflective of the Agency’s mission focus
of protecting human health and the environment. Office of Re-
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search and Development resources should be focused on meeting
EPA program and regional office priorities to prevent waste and
promote efficiency.
National Science Foundation
• The minority supports NSF’s efforts to promote interdiscipli-
nary research across its research directorates through the ‘‘10 Big
Ideas,’’ which are high-priority areas that integrate multiple fields
of science and engineering and create opportunities to partner with
industry, private foundations, other federal agencies and the edu-
cation sector. Last year’s budget request called for NSF to invest
$60 million in two Convergence Accelerators—new vehicles to le-
verage resources across the agency to support the most innovative
science, pursuant to the Harnessing the Data Revolution and The
Future of Work at the Human Technology Frontier Big Ideas. The
minority supports prioritizing funding for NSF to continue these
initiatives, while maintaining core research funding in priority
areas like math and physical sciences, computer information
science, engineering, and biological science.
• The National Quantum Initiative Act (P.L. 115–368) was
signed into law by the President last Congress. As part of the ini-
tiative, NSF is directed to carry out a basic research and education
programing on quantum information science and engineering. It
also provides for NSF to award grants for the establishment of
Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.
The minority will push for full implementation of policy provisions
in P.L. 115–368,
• The minority will ensure that federally funded research con-
ducted through NSF, and all agencies, is in the national interest.
Throughout its history, the NSF has played an integral part in
funding breakthrough discoveries in fields as diverse as mathe-
matics, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering and biol-
ogy. A defined ‘‘national interest’’ requirement and criteria, as part
of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 114–
329), has gone a long way towards ensuring the grant-making proc-
ess at NSF is transparent and accountable to the American public.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer
Science (STEM) Education
• The Administration recently released its 5-year STEM stra-
tegic plan, ‘‘Charting a Course for Success: America’s Strategy for
STEM Education.’’ The three guiding objectives of the plan are to
(1) build strong foundations for STEM Literacy; (2) increase diver-
sity, equity, and inclusion in STEM; and (3) prepare the STEM
workforce of the future. The minority supports and applauds these
objectives and looks forward to following the subsequent implemen-
tation of the plan by federal science agencies.
• The federal government invests more than $4.3 billion into 255
different programs with the primary goal of growing the STEM
workforce. Despite these investments, the number of students pre-
pared for STEM degrees, pursuing STEM degrees, and staying in
STEM careers continues to lag. While the minority believes these
investments are of critical importance, it is also important to en-
sure they are not duplicative. It should be a priority for these agen-
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cies to improve the coordination of STEM education and workforce
development activities across the Federal agencies, including dis-
seminating the latest discoveries on what works in teaching and
learning and facilitating equal access.
• Last Congress, the president signed into law the ‘‘Innovations
in Mentoring, Training and Apprenticeships Act’’ (P.L. 115–975).
The minority will push to build off this progress and continue its
work to ensure the American workforce has the flexible STEM
skills needed to compete in the global economy. The number of U.S.
jobs that require STEM skills has grown nearly 34 percent over the
past decade and is expected to continue this trajectory. To remain
competitive, the U.S. needs flexible STEM-capable works at every
education level. A well-educated, trained and diverse STEM pro-
ficient workforce ensures our future economic prosperity.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Last Congress, the president signed into law the ‘‘National
Quantum Initiative Act’’ (P.L. 115–368). At NIST, the bill supports
basic quantum information science research and standards develop-
ment and provides funds to convene a workshop to examine the de-
velopment of a quantum science and technology industry. These in-
vestments will allow the U.S. to take the lead in developing global
quantum standards and measures. The minority will push for full
implementation of policy provisions in P.L. 115–368.
• The minority supports prioritizing NIST’s core lab capabilities
in the Scientific and Technical Research and Services account to
support the transformation of basic research into innovations and
new technologies that are critical to America’s industrial competi-
tiveness, with a focus on emerging technology areas.
• It is important that NIST remains a global leader in cybersecu-
rity knowledge, scientific standards-setting, and research and anal-
ysis of cyber security readiness. NIST should also prioritize its fun-
damental and applied cybersecurity research to address key ques-
tions relating to measurement of privacy, security, and vulner-
ability of software tools and communication networks, which will
be essential as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and
internet of things are adopted.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• With President Trump’s enactment of P.L. 115–10, the NASA
Transition Authorization Act of 2017, the Committee has reignited
America’s pioneering spirit for exploration of new frontiers and
worlds through reinvigoration of our space science program with
the entrepreneurial drive of commercial incentives and ideas.
• The minority will push for full implementation of the policy
provisions in P.L. 115–10, as well as for at least maintaining the
Fiscal Year 2019 funding level established in the recent omnibus
appropriations bill.
• The minority is also cognizant of the counterproductive nature
of authorizing funding for NASA that Appropriators are unable to
match because of other statutory limitations. The result leaves
NASA with unfunded obligations, fails to set national priorities, ab-
dicates the responsibilities of an authorizing Committee, and sets
NASA up for failure.
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• NASA should maintain a balanced portfolio of programs, in-
cluding Deep Space Exploration, Space Operations, Planetary
Science, Astrophysics, Earth Science, and Heliophysics, and Aero-
nautics, while also being conscientious of expending taxpayer fund-
ing.
• NASA should ensure that the Space Launch System and Orion
programs receive adequate funding to launch Exploration Mission
1 and Exploration Mission 2 on schedule.
• NASA should fully fund the commercial cargo and crew pro-
grams and support commercial low earth orbit and lunar payload
development.
Department of Commerce
• The Department of Commerce should elevate the Office of
Space Commerce in order to enhance its stature in interagency de-
liberations. The Office should be funded at no less than $5 million
in order to expedite licensing of commercial remote sensing activi-
ties as well as additional responsibilities directed in the House-
passed American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act (H.R. 2809,
115th Congress).
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• FAA R&D in FY 2020 should reflect a balanced portfolio of ac-
tivities that appropriately prioritizes aviation safety. FAA R&D
should also assist in the certification of new technologies, particu-
larly unmanned aerial systems (UAS), into the national airspace
system (NAS).
• FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation should be
adequately funded at $21.6 million to license and permit commer-
cial launch or reentry activities without delay. The Office should
focus and prioritize its resources in order to execute these statutory
responsibilities and not take on additional work beyond those ex-
plicitly tasked by Congress.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
• Fund priority public safety NOAA Weather Research in the Of-
fice of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at the $131.5 million au-
thorized in P.L. 115–25, the Weather Research and Forecasting In-
novation Act of 2017, in Function 300. Saving lives and protecting
property must be NOAA’s primary mission.
• Provide $6 million for the NOAA Commercial Weather Data
Pilot project out of existing funding in the NOAA Procurement, Ac-
quisition, and Construction account as authorized in P.L. 115–25.
• Improve weather observation data through the required use of
observing system simulation experiments and next generation com-
puting and modeling capabilities consistent with P.L. 115–25. This
new law provides NOAA with the flexibility to buy new, affordable,
and potentially better sources of data from the private sector that
have the power to make real improvements to our weather fore-
casting capabilities and creates a much-needed new $20 million
technology transfer initiative in NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and At-
mospheric Research.
• Funding for NOAA’s climate change programs should be fo-
cused on shorter term predictions and local risk planning to miti-
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gate the immediate impacts of climate change and adapt to chang-
ing weather patterns.
FRANK D. LUCAS.
RALPH NORMAN.
MICHAEL WALTZ.
ANTHONY GONZALEZ.
PETE OLSON.
MO BROOKS.
JAMES R. BAIRD.
ROGER W. MARSHALL.
RANDY K. WEBER, SR.
TROY BALDERSON.
BRIAN BABIN.
BILL POSEY.
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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY,
Washington, DC, March 23, 2020.
Hon. JOHN YARMUTH,
Chairman, Committee on the Budget,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Hon. STEVE WOMACK,
Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
CHAIRMAN YARMUTH AND RANKING MEMBER WOMACK: Please
find enclosed the Minority Views and Estimates of the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology on the FY 2021 Budget Request.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON,
Chairwoman.
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VIEWS AND ESTIMATES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE FY 2021
BUDGET REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION TO THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON.
ZOE LOFGREN.
DANIEL LIPINSKI.
SUZANNE BONAMICI.
AMI BERA.
LIZZIE FLETCHER.
HALEY STEVENS.
KENDRA HORN.
BRAD SHERMAN.
STEVE COHEN.
JERRY MCNERNEY.
ED PERLMUTTER.
PAUL TONKO.
BILL FOSTER.
DON BEYER.
SEAN CASTEN.
JENNIFER WEXTON.
CONOR LAMB.
VIEWS AND ESTIMATES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE FY 2021
BUDGET REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION TO THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE
As was the case last year and the year before that, the Presi-
dent’s Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Request reflects a lack of vision
about the critical role that the nation’s science and technology en-
terprise plays in ensuring our international competitiveness, pro-
moting our citizens’ quality of life, and protecting our national se-
curity. The Budget Request proposes deep cuts to vital research
and development (R&D) programs and initiatives. America risks
losing its preeminence in an increasing number of scientific and
technological areas if we fail to make adequate investments in
those areas.
Our message to the Budget Committee and the rest of Congress
is a simple one: Namely, if enacted, the President’s Fiscal Year
2021 budget request for the nation’s R&D agencies would do seri-
ous harm to the nation both now and over the long term and it
should be rejected by Congress.
The following sections address a few of the key areas that we be-
lieve are under threat and warrant increased investment rather
than deep cuts.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) has in-
creased steadily in recent years, reaching $8.3 billion in FY 2020.
The nearly $540 million cut proposed by the Administration for
NSF in FY 2021 would represent a damaging step backwards for
the agency. Our nation’s leadership in science and technology is in-
creasingly threatened across nearly all fields of science and engi-
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neering, including artificial intelligence, quantum science, and en-
gineering biology, and research funded by NSF constitutes the very
foundation of our entire science and technology enterprise. In addi-
tion, our nation faces an increasing demand for workers with
STEM skills, and NSF is the leader in advancing innovation in
STEM education at all levels.
We applaud the agency for sustaining its commitment to take
bold new steps to transcend disciplinary boundaries and drive new
frontiers in science and engineering through the 10 Big Ideas and
the Convergence Accelerator. Our science agencies need to think
big if they are to address society’s most pressing scientific and tech-
nological challenges. We support the increases for research on
emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum in-
formation science, and synthetic biology. However, it is short-sight-
ed for these investments to come at the expense of the agency’s
support for other critical research and education activities. We urge
sufficient funding to support these important technology areas
while also sustaining investments in foundational research across
all disciplines, broadening participation, and STEM education from
K–12 through graduate student training. We also need to maintain
progress on all of the ongoing projects within the Major Research
Equipment and Facilities Construction Account.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
NASA’s challenging and inspiring missions are a catalyst for our
nation’s economic growth, innovation, scientific advancement, and
the development of our science, technology, engineering, and math-
ematics-based education and workforce. Given that, the President’s
Budget Request represents a missed opportunity. While it provides
a 12 percent increase over the FY 2020 enacted appropriation for
NASA—in large part to provide additional funding for the Presi-
dent’s Artemis Moon-Mars program—a significant fraction of that
increase would be obtained by cancelling a number of high-priority
science missions and once again attempting to eliminate NASA’s
Office of STEM Engagement. While there is broad bipartisan sup-
port for a credible and sustainable program of human space explo-
ration with the horizon goal of Mars, it should be pursued in a
manner that is not premised on harmful cuts or cancellations to
NASA’s science and climate research programs or to its STEM edu-
cation programs.
Department of Energy (DOE) R&D
The FY 2021 Budget Request would cut DOE’s non-defense re-
search, development, and demonstration budget by 34.8 percent
overall compared to FY 2020 enacted levels, which would signifi-
cantly harm the development of new clean energy technologies and
do lasting damage to the U.S. research enterprise. These proposed
cuts include the elimination of ARPA–E and the Loan Programs
Office (LPO). Most of DOE’s other energy technology offices would
receive significant cuts from FY 2020 funding levels. The Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) would receive the
largest cut of 74.2 percent (or $2.07 billion). EERE’s primary mis-
sion is to ‘‘create and sustain American leadership in the transition
to a global clean energy economy.’’ EERE makes crucial invest-
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ments in sustainable transportation (including energy storage), re-
newable energy, and energy efficiency. Nuclear Energy, which sup-
ports the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies
that may be critical to future emissions reductions, would also be
cut by 21 percent (or $313 million). Large reductions to so many
of these clean energy programs would hurt the global competitive-
ness of the United States as well as our nation’s ability to mitigate
the rapidly growing impacts of climate change.
In addition, the Budget Request would cut the Office of Science
by $1.16 billion, or 16.6 percent, from FY 2020 enacted levels. The
Office of Science is responsible for supporting some of the most im-
portant science and energy research programs and facilities in the
country. Without consistent, strong investments, the world-class
user facilities and national laboratories stewarded by the Office
would experience setbacks in facility construction, operations, and
critical upgrades to facilities that house sensitive equipment and
host thousands of scientists annually.
National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is
one of the most important but underappreciated agencies in our
Federal government. Unfortunately, the Administration’s Budget
Request would cut funding for NIST by nearly 31 percent in FY
2021, including a 13.5 percent cut to Scientific and Technical Re-
search Services (STRS), which is NIST’s core measurement re-
search and standards account. Such a cut would result in the elimi-
nation of 479 employee positions. Much of this technical talent
could be lost forever even if the budget rebounded in subsequent
years. These cuts would set back progress in biosciences, environ-
mental measurement, forensic science, advanced communications,
materials, disaster resilience, and many more important but over-
looked programs at NIST. Given the fact that NIST already lacks
the resources it needs to lead on international standards setting
across all technologies and sectors, including important industries
of the future, these cuts would be a gift to China and our other
competitors, ceding U.S. interests in important international stand-
ards that benefit our companies and economy. Finally, within
STRS, the budget proposal seeks to cut funding at the Center for
Neutron Research, an aging but critically important user facility.
The Administration is also proposing to once again dramatically
decrease support for NIST’s Industrial Technology Services (ITS)
account. This decrease includes the elimination of the Manufac-
turing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. The MEP program
has proven to be a successful model for federal-state partnerships
with significant payoff in economic growth and job creation across
our nation. According to NIST, for every dollar of Federal invest-
ment, the MEP National Network generates $29.5 in new sales
growth for manufacturers and $31.0 in new client investment. The
ITS account also includes the Manufacturing USA network, which
is coordinated through NIST and develops partnerships between
companies, academia, and entrepreneurs to develop and deploy
manufacturing technologies. Finally, the FY 2021 request would
cut NIST’s construction budget by $77 million, or 66 percent. This
proposal covers some basic maintenance of NIST facilities but
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would not meet the agency’s needs. Many of NIST’s facilities are
aging or outdated. Based on Department of Commerce standards,
roughly 60 percent of NIST’s facilities are in poor to critical condi-
tion.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The President’s FY 2021 Budget Request proposes cuts of over
$727 million from NOAA programs and a reduction of 436 Full-
Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. This is a 13.6 percent reduction
in the agency’s funding from the FY2020 Enacted Budget. These
excessive cuts signal a retreat from NOAA’s operational mission to
understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans and
coasts; share that knowledge and information; and conserve and
manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. We cannot
support these kinds of draconian cuts which endanger not only the
vitality of the Agency itself but puts at risk the lives of millions
of Americans that rely on the critical research, observations, and
information produced by NOAA.
As NOAA celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it is impor-
tant to recognize the significant contributions the agency has made
to the environmental understanding and protection of the nation
since its inception. The proposed cuts to NOAA’s funding for the
National Climate Assessments, and reductions to NOAA’s research
and grants funding overall, would make it exceedingly difficult for
the Agency to continue making strides in our understanding of cli-
mate change.
The President’s Budget Request continues to propose reductions
to critical earth and ocean observations, the tsunami warning pro-
gram, marine debris removal and research, investments in numer-
ical weather prediction models, funding for ocean exploration ac-
tivities, and others along with eliminations or near eliminations of
key programs like the National Sea Grant College Program, the
Joint Technology Transfer Initiative, Regional Climate Services,
the Air Resources Laboratory, the National Estuarine Research Re-
serve System, and the NOAA Office of Education. Climate competi-
tive research, integrated water prediction, coastal zone manage-
ment grants, arctic and Antarctic research programs, and many
others are also proposed to be eliminated in the President’s budget.
In addition, the President’s Budget Request proposes an unaccept-
able reduction of 365 positions, including 227 FTEs, within the Na-
tional Weather Service despite an ongoing shortage of weather
forecasters. The importance of maintaining a fully functioning
NOAA cannot be overstated. We need to ensure that NOAA has
adequate resources to continue to meet its lifesaving mission.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The President’s Budget for FY2021 requests $6.7 billion for the
Environmental Protection Agency, $2.4 billion (or 26 percent) below
the FY2020 enacted level of $9.1 billion. The request for the
Science & Technology programs within the EPA is $485 million,
which is $232 million (or 32 percent) below the FY2020 enacted
level of $716 million. While it is encouraging to see modest budget
increases in multiple research program areas to deal with PFAS,
lead, and harmful algal blooms, it does not counter the fact that
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the R&D budget at the agency, primarily within the Office of Re-
search and Development (ORD), has been proposed to be cut by ap-
proximately $201 million (or 40 percent) from the FY2020 enacted
appropriations across five of the six integrated and transdisci-
plinary research programs.
II. OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Oversight Authority & Responsibilities
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology was first es-
tablished as the Committee on Science and Astronautics on July
21, 1958 in a direct response to the Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of
Sputnik 1, the world’s first satellite. The Committee was created
to help the United States foster innovation and stay globally com-
petitive in the science and technology domains. House Rule X,
clause 1 (p) sets forth the legislative jurisdiction of the Committee.
However, Rule X, clause 3 (k) grants the Committee ‘‘special over-
sight functions’’ that stretches beyond its legislative jurisdiction. As
this clause sets out: ‘‘The Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology shall review and study on a continuing basis laws, pro-
grams, and Government activities relating to nonmilitary research
and development.’’ 1 This provides the Committee with wide-rang-
ing oversight authority over science and technology issues through-
out the government.
Each of the Committee’s five subcommittees, as well as the full
Committee, engage in oversight work as authorized by House rules.
These five subcommittees include the Subcommittee on Energy,
Subcommittee on Environment, Subcommittee on Research and
Technology, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and the Sub-
committee on Investigations and Oversight. Although each sub-
committee engages in oversight efforts, the Committee’s investiga-
tions and oversight activities are led and coordinated by the Inves-
tigations & Oversight (I&O) Subcommittee.
INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT EFFORTS IN THE 116TH
COVID–19. The Committee pursued an aggressive investigations
and oversight agenda on topics related to COVID–19 during the
second session of the 116th Congress. It sent three letters to agen-
cy heads seeking information about the Administration response to
the pandemic and held the following events:
• March 5, 2020—Full Committee hearing: Coronaviruses:
Understanding the Spread of Infectious Diseases and Mobi-
lizing Innovative Solutions
• May 1, 2020—Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee
briefing: Serology Testing for COVID–19
• May 5, 2020—Full Committee Roundtable: COVID–19 and
the Federal Research Enterprise
• May 14, 2020—Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee
briefing: COVID–19 Vaccine Research and Development: Oppor-
tunities and Challenges
• May 21, 2020—Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee
briefing: Fighting COVID–19 Using CRISPR Technologies
1 House Rule X, clause 3, (k)—attached as Appendix A.
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• June 9, 2020—Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee
briefing: Approaches to COVID–19 Modeling and Lessons
Learned
• June 12, 2020—Full Committee hearing: The Role of AFG
and SAFER Grants in COVID–19 Response
• June 19, 2020—Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee
hearing: Repurposing Therapeutic Drugs for COVID–19: Re-
search Challenges and Opportunities
• June 23, 2019—Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee hear-
ing: R&D to Support Healthy Air Travel in the COVID–19 Era
and Beyond
• July 14, 2020—Full Committee hearing: Sweltering in
Place: COVID–19, Extreme Heat, and Environmental Justice
• September 9, 2020—Research & Technology Subcommittee
hearing: The Impact of the COVID–19 Crisis on University Re-
search
• September 11, 2020—Energy Subcommittee hearing: Bio-
logical Research at the Department of Energy: Leveraging
DOE’s Unique Capabilities to Respond to the COVID–19 Pan-
demic
• September 23, 2020—Investigations & Oversight Sub-
committee hearing: Data for Decision-Making: Responsible
Management of Data during COVID–19 and Beyond
• September 30, 2020—Environment Subcommittee hearing:
Coping with Compound Crises: Extreme Weather, Social Injus-
tice, and a Global Pandemic
Whistleblowers. The Committee maintained an open door policy
for whistleblowers seeking to alert Congress to issues of waste,
fraud, abuse, or mismanagement at agencies under the Commit-
tee’s jurisdiction or within other activities within the Committee’s
broad oversight authority. The Committee received complaints and
information from several anonymous whistleblowers during the
116th Congress. The Subcommittee on Investigations & Oversight
heard testimony from a former agency official and whistleblower at
a hearing, held pursuant to pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2, sub-
section (n), on July 17, 2019 on Scientific Integrity at Federal
Agencies.
GAO & OIGs. The Committee coordinated with the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) and the various Offices of Inspectors
General (OIGs) within agencies under the Committee’s legislative
jurisdiction to ensure Departments, programs, and agencies were
transparent and implementing GAO and OIG recommendations.
The Committee investigated an effort by the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency to establish a new policy that would modify the expec-
tations of employees to cooperate fully with inquiries by its OIG.
It also examined refusals by the Department of Commerce to com-
ply with the Commerce OIG in finalizing a report on the Depart-
ment’s actions in communicating risk during Hurricane Dorian in
the fall of 2019.
The Committee also initiated a number of new study requests
with GAO to address programmatic questions in detail. The Com-
mittee plans to review GAO’s findings as they are published and
consider what follow-on actions may be appropriate.
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Climate science. The Committee tracked emerging issues and sci-
entific research on climate science and observations, climate im-
pacts, and strategies to support both greenhouse gas emissions re-
ductions and adaptation. The GAO High Risk List for 2019 in-
cluded ‘‘Limiting the Federal Government’s Fiscal Exposure by Bet-
ter Managing Climate Change Risks.’’ Pursuant to Rule XI, clause
2, subsection (p), the committee held four hearings:
February 13, 2019—Full Committee hearing: The State of
Climate Science and Why it Matters
June 4, 2019—Full Committee hearing: Nature in Crisis:
Biodiversity Loss and its Causes.
May 21, 2019—Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee
hearing: The Need for Resilience: Preparing America’s Trans-
portation Infrastructure for Climate Change.
January 15, 2020—Full Committee hearing: An Update on
the Climate Crisis: From Science to Solutions
Extreme weather hazards. The Committee examined the increas-
ing incidence of extreme weather events such as floods, fires and
hurricanes, including the science behind these hazards and how cli-
mate change is influencing their frequency and severity. The Com-
mittee investigated EPA’s air monitoring activities in the wake of
Hurricane Harvey, which devastated parts of southeast Texas in
2017. To this end the Committee held three hearings:
July 22, 2019—Environment Subcommittee field hearing in
Houston, TX: Weathering the Storm: Improving Hurricane Re-
siliency through Research.
September 26, 2019—Full Committee hearing: Under-
standing, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in
a Changing Climate
February 27, 2020—Joint Subcommittee hearing, Environ-
ment Subcommittee lead, with Investigations & Oversight Sub-
committee: An Examination of Federal Flood Maps in a Chang-
ing Climate
Voting system design and integrity. The Committee considered
election system vulnerabilities in the 116th Congress following
election system vulnerabilities that surfaced following the 2016 and
2018 elections. On June 25, 2019 the Investigations & Oversight
and Research & Technology subcommittees held a joint hearing on
Election Security: Voting Technology Vulnerabilities. The hearing
informed the development and introduction of H.R. 4990, the Elec-
tion Technology Research Act.
Identifying and mitigating influence operations. The Committee
investigated the use of social media and other online outlets for
disseminating disinformation and conducting influence operations
against the American public. On September 26, 2019, the Inves-
tigations & Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing on Online Im-
posters and Disinformation.
Unauthorized use of private data. The Committee explored the
unauthorized use of private data for commercial purposes, focusing
in particular on facial recognition technologies. To this end, the
Committee investigated a private company that uses web scraping
to aggregate facial imagery through online image repositories and
social media.
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Science integrity issues. The Committee evaluated scientific in-
tegrity concerns across several federal agencies, including efforts to
silence scientists and sideline specific scientific activities for polit-
ical purposes and episodes of agency managers modifying and sup-
pressing scientific work products. Pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2,
subsection (n), the Committee held three hearings:
March 27, 2019—Joint Subcommittee Hearing, Investiga-
tions and Oversight Subcommittee lead, with Environment
Subcommittee: EPA’s IRIS Program: Reviewing its Progress
and Roadblocks Ahead
November 13, 2019—Full Committee Hearing: Strength-
ening Transparency or Silencing Science? The Future of Science
in EPA Rulemaking
February 5, 2020—Investigations and Oversight Sub-
committee Hearing: Management and Spending Challenges
within the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy
DHS S&T Directorate. The Committee reasserted its oversight of
the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Science & Tech-
nology (S&T) Directorate in the 116th Congress. It held a Full
Committee roundtable on May 5, 2020 on COVID–19 and the Fed-
eral Research Enterprise where the role of DHS S&T Directorate in
combatting COVID–19 was considered.
Protecting the public’s health & safety. The Committee conducted
oversight on policy decisions related to public exposure to toxic
chemicals and other harmful substances during the 116th Con-
gress. On October 15, 2019 the Investigations & Oversight Sub-
committee held a field hearing in Bloomfield, NJ on Addressing the
Lead Crisis through Innovation & Technology to consider tech-
nology solutions to lead contamination in drinking water.
Scientific advisory boards. The Committee examined appoint-
ments to the independent scientific advisory boards entities that
advise federal agencies and efforts by the Administration to elimi-
nate and restructure various boards across the government. On
July 16, 2019, pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2, subsection (n), the
Subcommittees on Investigations & Oversight and Environment
held a hearing on EPA Advisory Committees: How Science Should
Inform Decisions.
Sexual harassment in the sciences. The Committee continued its
bipartisan oversight of federal science agencies to ensure they have
clear policies to address sexual harassment and are handling re-
ports of sexual harassment effectively and efficiently. On June 12,
2019 the Full Committee held a hearing on Combating Sexual Har-
assment in Science.
IRIS Program Oversight. The Committee continued to conduct
oversight of the EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS),
develops critical toxicological assessments of environmental con-
taminants, providing the science that underpins regulations of toxic
chemicals. On March 27, 2019, the Subcommittees on Investiga-
tions & Oversight and Environment held a hearing on EPA’s IRIS
Program: Reviewing its Progress and Roadblocks Ahead. The EPA’s
IRIS program was included in the Government Accountability Of-
fice (GAO) 2019 High Risk List and this hearing was held pursuant
to Rule XI, clause 2, subsection (p).
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Emerging technologies. The Committee explored several cutting-
edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), facial rec-
ognitions, gene editing, and deep fakes, and their implications for
economic productivity, U.S. competitiveness, law enforcement and
safety and security. To this end, the Committee held five hearings:
March 12, 2019—Research & Technology Subcommittee
hearing: Engineering Our Way to a Sustainable Bioeconomy
June 26, 2019—Full Committee hearing: Artificial Intel-
ligence: Societal and Ethical Implications
September 24, 2019—Research & Technology Sub-
committee hearing: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of
Work
January 29, 2020—Full Committee hearing: Losing
Ground: U.S. Competitiveness in Critical Technologies
July 28, 2020—Joint Subcommittee hearing, Investigations
& Oversight Subcommittee lead, with Research & Technology
Subcommittee: The Role of Technology in Countering Traf-
ficking in Persons.
Academic espionage. The Committee conducted oversight into the
coordination and collaboration between law enforcement, the intel-
ligence community, and institutions of higher education regarding
the exfiltration of sensitive research by nontraditional collectors.
Telecommunications spectrum. The Committee investigated the
growing private sector demand for licensed spectrum for applica-
tions like 5G networks and how increasing spectrum use may re-
sult in interference with incumbent spectrum users, including
weather observation satellites operated by NASA, NOAA and the
Department of Defense.
Lack of integrity in deregulatory actions at EPA. The Committee
evaluated deregulatory actions proposed and executed by EPA and
whether those actions approached cost-benefit and environmental
justice evaluations with academic rigor and integrity.
STEM education and workforce. The Committee reviewed
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) edu-
cation related subjects, particularly the need to increase the diver-
sity of individuals who have access to STEM education and meth-
ods for retention of a diverse pool of individuals pursuing STEM-
related degrees and careers. On May 9, 2019 the Full Committee
held a hearing on Achieving the Promise of a Diverse STEM Work-
force. The Research & Technology Subcommittee also held a hear-
ing on February 11, 2020 on More Hires, Fewer Hacks: Developing
the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce.
ARPA–E. The Committee reviewed the management of the U.S.
Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Advanced Research Projects Agen-
cy-Energy (ARPA–E), which is tasked with promoting and funding
high-risk, high-reward research and development of advanced en-
ergy technologies.
Department of Energy Nuclear Energy spending. The Committee
reviewed large financial assistance agreements made between the
Office of Nuclear Energy at DOE and private sector partners and
how those expenditures adhered to best practices and applicable
legal requirements for grant-making. On May 3, 2019 the Energy
Subcommittee held a field hearing in Shippingport, Pennsylvania
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on How the Domestic Nuclear Industry Boosts Local Economies,
Curbs Emissions, and Strengthens National Security.
Clean energy technologies in general. The Committee examined
whether the Department’s applied energy technology offices are
supporting the full range of high value research and identify poten-
tially transformational clean energy technologies that currently re-
ceive little to no federal funding.
Critical infrastructure and electricity grid security. The Com-
mittee reviewed the state of the nation’s critical infrastructure to
ensure that vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, physical attacks, and
natural hazards are identified and remedied to the extent possible,
and to ensure the government has the capability to respond to such
threats efficiently and effectively. On July 17, 2019 the Energy
Subcommittee held a hearing on The Future of Electricity Delivery:
Modernizing and Securing Our Nation’s Electricity Grid. The Gov-
ernment Accountability Office (GAO) 2019 High Risk List included
‘‘Ensuring the Effective Protection of Technologies Critical to the
U.S. National Security Interests’’ and this hearing was held pursu-
ant to Rule XI, clause 2, subsection (p).
Oversight of NASA’s flagship missions. The Committee conducted
oversight into the management of major flagship science mission
development projects, including the James Webb Space Telescope,
the Wide-field Infrared Survey Telescope, Mars2020, and the Eu-
ropa Clipper spacecraft. The Government Accountability Office
(GAO) 2019 High Risk List included ‘‘NASA Acquisition Manage-
ment’’ and these hearings were held pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2,
subsection (p):
May 8, 2019—Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing:
Keeping Our Sights on Mars: A Review of NASA’s Deep Space
Exploration Programs and Lunar Proposal.
September 18, 2019—Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee
hearing: Developing Core Capabilities for Deep Space Explo-
ration: An Update on NASA’s SLS, Orion, and Exploration
Ground Systems.
November 13, 2019—Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee
hearing: Keeping Our Sights on Mars Part 2: Structuring a
Moon-Mars Program for Success
NASA Earth Science programs. The Committee conducted over-
sight of NASA’s Earth science program and its plans for meeting
the priorities set forth in the National Academies’ Earth science
decadal survey. On June 11, 2019 the Full Committee held a hear-
ing on Discovery on the Frontiers of Space: Exploring NASA’s
Science Mission.
Civil Aeronautics Research and Development. The Committee
conducted oversight of research and development activities at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NASA’s aeronautics re-
search. On June 26, 2019 the Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee
held a hearing on NASA’s Aeronautics Mission: Enabling the
Transformation of Aviation.
ISS research priorities. The Committee conducted oversight of
the use of the ISS and the prioritization of ISS resources to meet
and enable key objectives. On July 10, 2019 the Space and Aero-
nautics Subcommittee held a hearing on A Review of NASA’s Plans
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for the International Space Station and Future Activities in Low
Earth Orbit.
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
History of Appointments, 116th Congress
January 3, 2019
Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) named Chair (H. Res. 24)
January 4, 2019
Mr. Lucas (OK) named Ranking Minority Member (H. Res. 25)
January 23, 2019
Ms. Lofgren (CA), Mr. Lipinski (IL), Ms. Bonamici (OR), Mr.
Bera (CA), Mr. Lamb (PA), Mrs. Fletcher (TX), Ms. Stevens (MI),
Ms. Kendra S. Horn (OK), Ms. Sherrill (NJ), Mr. Sherman (CA),
Mr. McNerney (CA), Mr. Perlmutter (CO), Mr. Tonko (NY), Mr.
Foster (IL), Mr. Beyer (VA), Mr. Crist (FL), Mr. Casten (IL), Ms.
Hill (CA), Mr. McAdams (UT), and Ms. Wexton (VA) appointed (H.
Res. 67)
January 23, 2019
Mr. Brooks (AL), Mr. Hultgren (IL), Mr. Posey (FL), Mr. Massie
(KY), Mr. Bridenstine (OK), Mr. Weber (TX), Mr. Knight (CA), Mr.
Babin (TX), Mrs. Comstock (VA), Mr. Palmer (AL), Mr. Loudermilk
(GA), Mr. Abraham (LA), Mr. LaHood (IL), Mr. Webster (FL), Mr.
Banks (IN), Mr. Biggs (AZ), Mr. Marshall (KS), Mr. Dunn (FL), and
Mr. Higgins (LA) appointed (H. Res. 68)
January 24, 2019
Mr. Cohen (TN) appointed (H. Res. 73) (to rank immediately
after Mr. Sherman)
January 30, 2019
Democrat Members assigned to subcommittees; Mr. Lamb named
Subcommittee on Energy Chair; Mr. Lipinski named Subcommittee
on Energy Vice Chair; Ms. Fletcher named Subcommittee on Envi-
ronment Chair; Ms. Bonamici named Subcommittee on Environ-
ment Vice Chair; Ms. Sherrill named Subcommittee on Oversight
Chair; Ms. Bonamici named Subcommittee on Oversight Vice
Chair; Ms. Stevens named Subcommittee on Research and Tech-
nology Chair; Mr. Lipinski Subcommittee on Research and Tech-
nology Vice Chair; Ms. Horn named Subcommittee on Space Chair;
Ms. Lofgren named Subcommittee on Space Vice Chair
February 6, 2019
Republican Members assigned to Subcommittees; Mr. Weber
named Subcommittee on Energy Ranking Member; Mr. Marshall
named Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member; Mr. Nor-
man named Subcommittee on Oversight Ranking Member; Mr.
Baird named Subcommittee on Research and Technology Ranking
Member; Mr. Babin named Subcommittee on Space Ranking Mem-
ber
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March 28, 2019
Mr. Dunn resigned from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology; Ms. Herrera-Beutler (WA) and Miss Gonzalez-Colon
(PR) appointed (H. Res. 264)
July 24, 2019
Mr. Rooney (FL) appointed to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology (H. Res. 516)
September 26, 2019
Miss. Gonzalez-Colon resigned from the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology; Mr. Murphy (NC) appointed (H. Res. 596)
November 5, 2019
Ms. Hill resigned from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology
November 19, 2019
Mr. Lamb to rank immediately after Ms. Wexton on the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology (H. Res. 712)
January 9, 2020
Ms. Fletcher named Chairwoman of Subcommittee on Energy,
Ms. Sherrill named Chairwoman of Subcommittee on Environment,
Mr. Foster named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations
and Oversight
January 16, 2020
Ms. Jaime Herrera Beutler resigned from the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology
July 1, 2020
Mr. Olson resigned from the Committee on Science, Space and
Technology; Mr. Garcia (CA) and Mr. Tiffany (WI) appointed (H.
Res. 1037)
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CONTENTS
Rules of the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
House of Representatives
For the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress
Rule I. General ...................................................................................................... 109
(a) Application of Rules .................................................................................... 109
(b) Other Procedures ........................................................................................ 109
(c) Use of Hearing Rooms ................................................................................ 109
Rule II. Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings .................................... 109
(a) Regular Meetings ........................................................................................ 109
(b) Bills and Subjects to be Considered .......................................................... 109
(c) Open Meetings ............................................................................................. 110
(d) Quorums ...................................................................................................... 110
(e) Postponement of Proceedings ..................................................................... 110
(f) Time for Statements and Debate ................................................................ 110
(g) Requests for Recorded Vote ........................................................................ 110
(h) Transcripts .................................................................................................. 110
(i) Motion to Go to Conference ......................................................................... 111
Rule III. Hearings ................................................................................................. 111
(a) Notice of Hearings ...................................................................................... 111
(b) Witnesses ..................................................................................................... 111
(c) Questioning of Witnesses ............................................................................ 112
(d) Claims of Privilege ...................................................................................... 112
(e) Publication of Transcripts .......................................................................... 112
(f) Pertinence of Testimony .............................................................................. 112
Rule IV. Reports ................................................................................................... 112
Rule V. Broadcasting ........................................................................................... 113
Rule VI. Subcommittees ..................................................................................... 113
(a) Committee Jurisdiction .............................................................................. 113
(b) Subcommittees and Jurisdiction ................................................................ 113
(1) Subcommittee on Energy .................................................................... 113
(2) Subcommittee on Environment .......................................................... 113
(3) Subcommittee on Research and Technology ...................................... 114
(4) Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics .......................................... 114
(5) Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight ................................ 115
(c) Composition of Subcommittees ................................................................... 115
(d) Referral to Subcommittees ......................................................................... 115
(e) Subcommittee Procedures and Reports ..................................................... 115
Rule VII. Vice Chairs ........................................................................................... 116
Rule VIII. Oversight and Investigations ........................................................ 116
Rule IX. Subpoenas .............................................................................................. 116
Rule X. Deposition Authority ............................................................................ 117
Rule XI. Committee Records ............................................................................. 117
Rule XII. Official Committee Website ............................................................. 117
Rule XIII. Committee Budget ............................................................................ 117
Rule XIV. Amendments to Committee Rules ................................................. 117
108
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Rule I. General
(a) Application of Rules.
(1) The Rules of the House of Representatives (‘‘House
Rules’’) are the rules of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and its Subcommittees with the specific additions
thereto contained in these rules.
(2) Except where the term ‘‘Subcommittee’’ is specifically re-
ferred to, the following rules shall apply to the Committee and
its Subcommittees as well as to the respective Chairs and
Ranking Minority Members.
(b) Other Procedures. The Chair of the Committee, after con-
sultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee,
may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may
be necessary to carry out these rules or to facilitate the effective
operation of the Committee.
(c) Use of Hearing Rooms. In consultation with the Ranking Mi-
nority Member, the Chair of the Committee shall establish guide-
lines for the use of Committee hearing rooms.
Rule II. Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings
(a) Regular Meetings. The regular meeting day of the Committee
for the conduct of its business shall be on the first Wednesday of
each month, if the House is in session. If the House is not in ses-
sion on that day, then the Committee shall meet on the next
Thursday of such month on which the House is in session, or at
another practicable time as determined by the Chair.
(1) A regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed
with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for the
meeting.
(2) The Chair may call and convene, as he considers nec-
essary and in accordance with the notice requirements con-
tained in these rules, additional meetings of the Committee for
the consideration of any bill or resolution pending before the
Committee or for the conduct of other Committee business.
(b) Bills and Subjects to be Considered.
(1) The Chair shall announce the date, place, and subject
matter of any Committee meeting, which may not commence
earlier than the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sun-
days, or legal holidays except when the House is in session on
such a day) on which Members have notice thereof, unless the
Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member,
or the Committee by majority vote with a quorum present for
the transaction of business, determines there is good cause to
begin the meeting sooner, in which case the Chair shall make
the announcement at the earliest possible date.
(2) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a meet-
ing for the markup of legislation (excluding Saturdays, Sun-
days, and legal holidays except when the House is in session
on such a day), the Chair shall cause the text of such legisla-
tion to be made publicly available in electronic form.
(3) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a
measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or electroni-
cally to the designee of both the Chair and Ranking Minority
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110
Member at least 24 hours prior to the consideration of the
measure or matter, and the Chair may oppose any amendment
not so submitted.
(c) Open Meetings. Meetings for the transaction of business and
hearings of the Committee shall be open to the public or closed in
accordance with the House Rules.
(d) Quorums. A majority of the Committee shall form a quorum,
except that two Members shall constitute a quorum for taking tes-
timony and receiving evidence, and one third of the Members shall
form a quorum for taking any action other than for which the pres-
ence of a majority of the Committee is otherwise required. If the
Chair is not present at any meeting of the Committee or Sub-
committee, the Vice Chair on the Committee who is present shall
preside at the meeting, unless another Member of the Committee
is designated by the Chair.
(e) Postponement of Proceedings.
(1) Pursuant to clause 2(h)(4) of House Rule XI, the Chair
may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is or-
dered on the question of approving a measure or matter or on
adopting an amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings
on a postponed vote at any time after reasonable notice.
(2) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, not-
withstanding any intervening order for the previous question,
an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further de-
bate or amendment to the same extent as when the question
was postponed.
(f) Time for Statements and Debate.
(1) Insofar as is practicable, the Chair, after consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, shall limit the total time
of opening statements by Members at a Committee meeting to
no more than ten minutes, the time to be divided equally be-
tween the Chair and Ranking Minority Member, except in the
case of joint Subcommittee hearings, in which case the total
time of opening statements by Members at such joint hearing
shall be no more than twenty minutes, the time to be divided
equally between the Chairs and Ranking Minority Members.
When requested, ex officio Members of any Subcommittee shall
also be recognized at a Subcommittee hearing for five minutes
each to present an opening statement.
(2) The time any one Member may address the Committee
on any bill, amendment, motion, or other matter under consid-
eration by the Committee will be limited to five minutes, and
then only when the Member has been recognized by the Chair.
This time limit may be waived by the Chair pursuant to unani-
mous consent.
(g) Requests for Recorded Vote. A record vote of the Committee
shall be provided on any question before the Committee upon the
request of three or more Members or, in the apparent absence of
a quorum, by any one Member.
(h) Transcripts. Transcripts of markups shall be recorded and
may be published in the same manner as hearings before the Com-
mittee, and shall be included as part of the legislative report unless
waived by the Chair of the Committee.
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111
(i) Motion to Go to Conference. Without further action of the
Committee, the Chair is authorized to offer a motion under clause
1 of House Rule XXII whenever the Chair considers it appropriate.
Rule III. Hearings
(a) Notice of Hearings.
(1) The Chair shall publicly announce the date, place, and
subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the Com-
mittee on any measure or matter at least one week before the
commencement of that hearing. If the Chair, with the concur-
rence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines there is
good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so
determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business, the Chair shall make the announce-
ment at the earliest possible date.
(2) The Chair shall publicly announce a list of witnesses to
testify at a hearing as soon as a complete list of witnesses, in-
cluding those to be called by the minority, is compiled. When
practicable, the Chair and the Ranking Minority Member will
seek to have a complete list of witnesses compiled at or as soon
as practicable after the time that the hearing is publicly an-
nounced.
(b) Witnesses.
(1) Insofar as is practicable, no later than 48 hours in ad-
vance of his or her appearance, each witness who is to appear
before the Committee shall file, in printed copy and in elec-
tronic form, a written statement of his or her proposed testi-
mony and a curriculum vitae.
(2) Each witness shall limit his or her presentation to a five
minute summary, however additional time may be granted by
the Chair when appropriate.
(3) The Chair, or any Member of the Committee designated
by the Chair, may administer oaths to witnesses before the
Committee.
(4) Whenever any hearing is conducted by the Committee on
any measure or matter, the Minority Members of the Com-
mittee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a major-
ity of them before the completion of the hearing, to call wit-
nesses selected by the Minority to testify with respect to the
measure or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.
(5) In the case of a witness appearing in a nongovernmental
capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony shall in-
clude a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of any Federal
grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, or contracts or
payments originating with a foreign government, received dur-
ing the current calendar year or either of the two previous cal-
endar years by the witness or by an entity represented by the
witness and related to the subject matter of the hearing. The
disclosure shall include the amount and source of each Federal
grant (or subgrant thereof), cooperative agreement, or contract
(or subcontract thereof) related to the subject matter of the
hearing; and the amount and country of origin of any payment
or contract related to the subject matter of the hearing origi-
nating with a foreign government. Such statements, with ap-
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112
propriate redactions to protect the privacy or security of the
witness, shall be made publicly available in electronic form not
later than one day after the witness appears.
(c) Questioning of Witnesses.
(1) The right to interrogate a witness before the Committee
shall alternate between Majority and Minority Members of the
Committee. Each Member shall be limited to five minutes in
the interrogation of witnesses. No Member may be recognized
for a second period of interrogation until each Member present,
who wishes to be recognized, has been recognized at least once.
(2) Notwithstanding clause 1, upon a motion the Chair, in
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may:
i. Designate an specified number of Members of the
Committee from each party to question a witness for a pe-
riod of time equally divided between the majority party
and the minority party, not to exceed one hour in the ag-
gregate; or
ii. Designate staff from each party to question a witness
for a period of time equally divided between the majority
party and the minority party, not to exceed one hour in the
aggregate.
(3) Members of the Committee have two weeks from the date
of a hearing to submit additional questions in writing for the
record to be answered by witnesses who have appeared before
the Committee. The letters of transmittal and any responses
thereto shall be included in the hearing record.
(d) Claims of Privilege. Claims of common-law privileges made by
witnesses in hearings, or by interviewees or deponents in investiga-
tions or inquiries, are applicable only at the discretion of the Chair,
subject to appeal to the Committee.
(e) Publication of Transcripts. The transcripts of those hearings
conducted by the Committee, when it is decided they will be print-
ed, shall be published in substantially verbatim form, with the ma-
terial requested for the record inserted at that place requested, or
at the end of the record, as appropriate. Individuals, including
Members, whose comments are to be published as part of a Com-
mittee document shall be given the opportunity to verify the accu-
racy of the transcription in advance of publication. Any requests by
those Members, staff, or witnesses to correct any errors other than
errors in the transcript, or disputed errors in transcription, shall
be appended to the record, and the appropriate place where the
change is requested will be footnoted. Prior to approval by the
Chair of hearings conducted jointly with another Congressional
Committee, a memorandum of understanding shall be prepared
which incorporates an agreement for the publication of the tran-
script.
(f) Pertinence of Testimony. At the discretion of the Committee,
brief and pertinent statements may be submitted in writing for in-
clusion in the record. The Committee is the sole judge of the perti-
nence of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearing.
Rule IV. Reports
(a) Bills and resolutions approved by the Committee shall be re-
ported by the Chair pursuant to clauses 2–4 of House Rule XIII.
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(b) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be consid-
ered as read if it has been available to the Members of the Com-
mittee for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal
holidays except when the House is in session on such days).
(c) Every investigative or oversight report shall be approved by
a majority vote of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum
is present. If at the time of approval of such a report a Member
of the Committee gives notice of intent to file supplemental, minor-
ity, additional, or dissenting views that Member shall be entitled
to file such views.
(d) Only those investigative or oversight reports approved by a
majority vote of the Committee may be ordered printed, unless oth-
erwise required by House Rules.
Rule V. Broadcasting
(a) Whenever a meeting for the transaction of business, including
the markup of legislation or a hearing is open to the public, that
meeting or hearing shall be open to coverage by television, radio,
and still photography in accordance with clause 4 of House Rule
XI.
(b) To the maximum extent practicable, the Committee shall pro-
vide audio and visual coverage of each hearing or meeting for the
transaction of business in a manner that allows the public to easily
listen to and view the proceedings, and maintain the recordings of
such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the public.
Operation and use of any Committee internet broadcast system
shall be fair and nonpartisan, and in accordance with clauses 4 (b)
and (f) of House Rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Com-
mittee and the House.
Rule VI. Subcommittees
(a) Committee Jurisdiction. The Committee shall have jurisdic-
tion over such matters as determined by the Chair.
(b) Subcommittees and Jurisdiction. There shall be five standing
Subcommittees of the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology, with jurisdictions as follows:
(1) Subcommittee on Energy. Shall have jurisdiction over the
following subject matters: all matters relating to energy re-
search, development, and demonstration projects therefor; com-
mercial application of energy technology; Department of En-
ergy research, development, and demonstration programs; De-
partment of Energy laboratories; Department of Energy science
activities; energy supply activities; nuclear, solar, and renew-
able energy, and other advanced energy technologies; uranium
supply and enrichment, and Department of Energy waste man-
agement; fossil energy research and development; clean coal
technology; energy conservation research and development, in-
cluding building performance, alternate fuels, distributed
power systems, and industrial process improvements; pipeline
research, development, and demonstration projects; energy
standards; other appropriate matters as referred by the Chair;
and relevant oversight.
(2) Subcommittee on Environment. Shall have jurisdiction
over the following subject matters: all matters relating to envi-
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ronmental research; Environmental Protection Agency research
and development; environmental standards; climate change re-
search and development; the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration, including all activities related to weath-
er, weather services, climate, the atmosphere, marine fisheries,
and oceanic research; risk assessment activities; scientific
issues related to environmental policy, including climate
change; other appropriate matters as referred by the Chair;
and relevant oversight.
(3) Subcommittee on Research and Technology. Shall have ju-
risdiction over the following subject matters: all matters relat-
ing to science policy and science education; the Office of
Science and Technology Policy; all scientific research, and sci-
entific and engineering resources (including human resources);
all matters relating to science, technology, engineering and
mathematics education; intergovernmental mechanisms for re-
search, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting pro-
grams; international scientific cooperation; National Science
Foundation; university research policy, including infrastructure
and overhead; university research partnerships, including
those with industry; science scholarships; computing, commu-
nications, networking, and information technology; research
and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional
programs; research, development, and demonstration relating
to nanoscience, nanoengineering, and nanotechnology; agricul-
tural, geological, biological and life sciences research; materials
research, development, demonstration, and policy; all matters
relating to competitiveness, technology, standards, and innova-
tion; standardization of weights and measures, including tech-
nical standards, standardization, and conformity assessment;
measurement, including the metric system of measurement;
the Technology Administration of the Department of Com-
merce; the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the
National Technical Information Service; competitiveness, in-
cluding small business competitiveness; tax, antitrust, regu-
latory and other legal and governmental policies related to
technological development and commercialization; technology
transfer, including civilian use of defense technologies; patent
and intellectual property policy; international technology trade;
research, development, and demonstration activities of the De-
partment of Transportation; surface and water transportation
research, development, and demonstration programs; earth-
quake programs and fire research programs, including those
related to wildfire proliferation research and prevention; bio-
technology policy; research, development, demonstration, and
standards-related activities of the Department of Homeland
Security; Small Business Innovation Research and Technology
Transfer; voting technologies and standards; other appropriate
matters as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
(4) Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Shall have juris-
diction over the following subject matters: all matters relating
to astronautical and aeronautical research and development;
national space policy, including access to space; sub-orbital ac-
cess and applications; National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
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istration and its contractor and government-operated labs;
space commercialization, including commercial space activities
relating to the Department of Transportation and the Depart-
ment of Commerce; exploration and use of outer space; inter-
national space cooperation; the National Space Council; space
applications, space communications and related matters; Earth
remote sensing policy; civil aviation research, development,
and demonstration; research, development, and demonstration
programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; space law;
other appropriate matters as referred by the Chair; and rel-
evant oversight.
(5) Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Shall have
general and special investigative authority on all matters with-
in the jurisdiction of the Committee.
(c) Composition of Subcommittees.
(1) The Chair shall assign Members to the Subcommittees.
Minority party assignments shall be made only with the con-
currence of the Ranking Minority Member. The Chair shall de-
termine the ratio of Majority Members to Minority Members of
each Subcommittee; provided that the ratio of Majority Mem-
bers to Minority Members on each Subcommittee (excluding
any ex officio Member) shall be no less favorable to the Major-
ity party than the ratio for the Committee.
(2) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Com-
mittee shall be ex officio Members of each Subcommittee and
shall have the right to vote and be counted as part of the
quorum and ratios on all matters before the Subcommittee.
(d) Referral to Subcommittees. The Chair shall expeditiously
refer all legislation and other matters referred to the Committee to
the Subcommittee or Subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction,
unless the Chair deems consideration is to be by the Committee.
Subcommittee Chairs may make requests for referral of specific
matters to their Subcommittee if they believe Subcommittee juris-
dictions so warrants.
(e) Subcommittee Procedures and Reports.
(1) Subcommittee Chairs shall set meeting dates with the
concurrence of the Chair and after consultation with the other
Subcommittee Chairs with a view toward avoiding simulta-
neous scheduling of Subcommittee meetings or hearings wher-
ever possible. No Subcommittee may meet or hold a hearing at
the same time as a meeting or hearing of the Committee with-
out authorization from the Chair.
(2) Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive testimony or evidence, mark up legislation, and report
to the Committee on all matters referred to it. For matters
within its jurisdiction, each Subcommittee is authorized to con-
duct legislative, investigative, forecasting, and general over-
sight hearings; to conduct inquiries into the future; and to un-
dertake budget impact studies.
(3) Each Subcommittee shall provide the Committee with
copies of such records of votes taken in the Subcommittee and
such other records with respect to the Subcommittee as the
Chair of the Committee deems necessary to ensure compliance
with the House Rules.
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116
(4) After ordering a measure or matter reported, a Sub-
committee shall issue a report in such form as the Chair shall
specify. To the maximum extent practicable, reports and rec-
ommendations of a Subcommittee shall not be considered by
the Committee until after the intervention of 48 hours (exclud-
ing Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays except when the
House is in session on such a day) from the time the report is
submitted and made available to the Committee. Printed hear-
ings thereon shall be made available, if feasible, to the Com-
mittee, except that this Rule may be waived at the discretion
of the Chair after consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member.
(5) Any Member of the Committee may have the privilege of
sitting with any Subcommittee during its hearings or delibera-
tions and may participate in such hearings or deliberations,
but no Member who is not a Member of the Subcommittee
shall vote on any matter before such Subcommittee, except as
provided in Rule VI(c)(2).
Rule VII. Vice Chairs
(a) The Chair of the Committee shall designate a Member of the
majority party to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee, and shall
designate a Majority Member of each Subcommittee to serve as
Vice Chair of the Subcommittee. Vice Chairs of the Committee and
each Subcommittee serve at the pleasure of the Chair, who may at
any time terminate his designation of a Member as Vice Chair and
designate a different Member of the majority party to serve as Vice
Chair of the Committee or relevant Subcommittee.
(b) The Chair may assign duties, privileges, and responsibilities
to the Vice Chairs of the Committee or the various Subcommittees.
Rule VIII. Oversight and Investigations
(a) The Committee shall review and study, on a continuing basis,
the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of
those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within
its jurisdiction, including all laws, programs, and Government ac-
tivities relating to nonmilitary research and development in accord-
ance with House Rule X.
(b) Not later than March 1st of the first session of the 116th Con-
gress, the Chair, after consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, shall submit the Committee’s oversight plan to the Com-
mittee on Oversight and the Committee on House Administration
in accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of House Rule X.
(c) Any investigation undertaken in the name of the Committee
shall be approved by the Chair. Nothing in this subsection shall be
interpreted to infringe on a Subcommittee’s authority to conduct
general oversight of matters within its jurisdiction, short of under-
taking an investigation.
Rule IX. Subpoenas
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to the
Chair as provided for under clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of House Rule XI.
The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member prior to
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117
issuing any subpoena under such authority. To the extent prac-
ticable, the Chair shall consult with the Ranking Minority Member
at least 24 hours in advance of a subpoena being issued under such
authority.
Rule X. Deposition Authority
The Chair may authorize the staff of the Committee to conduct
depositions pursuant to section 103 of House Resolution 6, 116th
Congress, and subject to any regulations issued pursuant thereto.
Rule XI. Committee Records
(a) The records of the Committee at the National Archives and
Records Administration shall be made available for public use in
accordance with House Rule VII.
(b) The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee of any decision, pursuant to clauses 3(b)(3) or 4(b) of
House Rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the
matter shall be presented to the Committee for a determination on
the written request of any Member of the Committee.
Rule XII. Official Committee Website
The Chair shall maintain an official Committee website for the
purpose of furthering the Committee’s legislative and oversight re-
sponsibilities, including communicating information about the
Committee’s activities to Committee Members and other Members
of the House. The Ranking Minority Member of the Committee
may maintain a similar website for the same purpose, including
communicating information about the activities of the minority to
Committee Members and other Members of the House.
Rule XIII. Committee Budget
From the amount provided to the Committee in the primary ex-
pense resolution adopted by the House of Representatives in the
116th Congress, the Chair shall designate one-third of the budget,
after adjustment for the salaries of the shared administrative func-
tions for the Clerk, Printer and Financial Administrator, under the
direction of the Ranking Minority Member for the purposes of mi-
nority staff, travel expenses of minority staff and Members, and all
other minority office expenses.
Rule XIV. Amendments to Committee Rules
The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or re-
pealed, in the same manner and method as prescribed for the adop-
tion of committee rules in clause 2 of House Rule XI, but only if
written notice of the proposed change has been provided to each
such Member at least 3 days before the time of the meeting at
which the vote on the change occurs. Any such change in the rules
of the Committee shall be published in the Congressional Record
within 30 calendar days after their approval.
Æ
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