[House Report 116-719]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
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
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
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
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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
respectfully 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.
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
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.
C O N T E N T S
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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 (including: 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 Defense 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
primarily referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology).................................................... 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
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 Regional 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 Research 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
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 Research 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
Environmental Protection Agency. Hearing Volume No.
116-46................................................. 48
3.1(p). September 26, 2019--Understanding, Forecasting,
and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing
Climate. Hearing Volume No. 116-49..................... 49
3.1(q). November 13, 2019--Strengthening Transparency or
Silencing Science? The Future of Science in EPA
Rulemaking. Hearing Volume 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
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 Strengthens 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:
Unearthing the Next Wave of Energy Innovation. Hearing
Volume No. 116-55...................................... 56
3.2(i). November 22, 2019--FIELD HEARING: The Future of
Advanced Carbon Capture Research and Development.
Hearing Volume 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 Atmospheric 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: Improving Hurricane Resiliency through Research.
Hearing Volume No. 116-26.............................. 61
3.3(f). October 23, 2019--Space Weather: Advancing
Research, Monitoring, 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 Volume 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
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 Volume 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 Trafficking 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 Volume No. 116-82...................... 67
3.5. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Research and
Technology................................................. 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 Advanced 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. Hearing 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 Volume 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
3.6(a). May 8, 2019--Keeping Our Sights on Mars: A Review
of National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Deep
Space Exploration 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 Transformation 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 Station 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 Exploration 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 Challenges 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 Technology 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 Technology 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
Union Calendar No. 603
116th Congress, 2d Session----------------------HOUSE REPORT 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 Leadership Act; H.R.
3038, Securing American Science and Technology 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 Department 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
manufacturing 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 interference, 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,
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
conference 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. Significant to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology's interests, 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 Nonproliferation 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
Technology.
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 considered 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.
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
introduced 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 reported 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
Foundation (NSF) to more equitably allocate funding for
research in the Discovery Research Pre-K-12 (DRK-12) program to
studies that include 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
Transportation 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
suspension 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)
education 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.
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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Department
of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration, the US
Geological Survey, and the Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
Legislative History
On November 22, 2019, Ed Perlmutter introduced H.R. 5260,
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services
and Natural Resources. On October 23, 2019, The Subcommittee on
Environment and the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held
a joint hearing entitled, ``Space Weather: Advancing Research,
Monitoring, 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
Senate. 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
became Public Law 116-181.
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 procured 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 recommendations. Finally, H.R. 1668
requires NIST and OMB to publish 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 reported 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
marine debris, incentivize international engagement on marine
debris, and strengthen domestic waste management infrastructure
to prevent 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
Transportation 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 Senate. 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.
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
Amendments 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
Transportation 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 Administration with respect to post-storm
assessments, and to require the establishment of a National
Water Center, and for other purposes.
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
amended 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.***
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 output 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
introduced 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
introduced 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 inform other relevant agencies of
information relating to the principle of due regard and the
limitation of harmful interference with Apollo 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
Transportation. On July 10, 2019 the Committee ordered the bill
to be reported favorably with an amendment and on July 18, 2019
the Senate passed S. 1982 by voice vote.
On July 16, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
introduced 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 Affairs. 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.
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 provisions 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 Research 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. Johnson); 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
development and fusion energy research and development.
Legislative History
For further information about the legislative history of
the constituent 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.***
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
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (``NDAA'') is to
authorize 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 purposes. It also authorizes
appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of
the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe
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
Services and then to its Subcommittees. By June 23, 2020 all
Subcommittees 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,
National 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 provisions 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
conferees 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 interest and had requested appointed conferees
for were denied conferees 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 provisions 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
Subtitle 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
ultimately 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 division 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 constituent 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
President'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 existing 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 Technology 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
companion 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, 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
President.
***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 Facility.''
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
Unanimous Consent.
On December 16, 2020, the House considered S. 2472 under
suspension 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
research on the science of suicide, and to advance the
knowledge and understanding of issues that may be associated
with several aspects 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
suspension 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
unanimous consent.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action
had been reported.***
1.18. P.L. 116-XXX, EFFORT Act (H.R. 3153)
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 3153 is to direct the National Science
Foundation (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
solely 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
Unanimous Consent.
***At the time of filing of this report, no further action
had been reported.***
Chapter II: Other Committee Legislation (bold indicates bills primarily
referred to the Committee 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
Select); Judiciary; Oversight and Reform; Science, Space, and
Technology; 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, development, and demonstration programs to help
guarantee efficient, 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
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Energy
Subcommittee 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 reported 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 preventing, sexual harassment in the STEM
workforce. The bill also directs coordination among federal
science agencies efforts to address 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
Committee 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
Technology Transfer Programs, in part, by including small
business investment companies in the programs.
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 programs.
Legislative History
On January 4, 2019, Abby Finkenauer introduced H.R. 246,
which 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. 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
Research 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 consultation with local stakeholders, in response to the
integrated assessment 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
suspension of the rules, and the bill passed the House by voice
vote.
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)
education 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
Foundation's Innovation Corps Program to Small Business
Innovation Program 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
Technology, 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) within 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
consider 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
Security and Government Affairs favorably reported H.R. 542 to
the Senate.
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 consideration of Section 5502. This language was taken out
of the conference report and added to P.L. 116-XXX, the
Consolidated Appropriations 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 management 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 acidification was discussed as a major
associated impact.
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee on Environment met to
consider 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.
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 expanding the scope of federal ocean acidification and
coastal acidification research, establishing an independent
Ocean Acidification Advisory Board, establishing and
maintaining a data archive system for ocean and coastal
acidification data, and for other purposes.
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
consider 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 existing 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 Technology 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
companion 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 information regarding this bill, see entry
1.15 in Chapter 1.
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
Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, and for other
purposes.
Legislative History
On February 19, 2019, H.R. 1314 was introduced by Don Young
and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in
addition 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
Technology 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
addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On
September 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
Foundation (NSF) to more equitably allocate funding for
research in the Discovery Research Pre-K-12 (DRK-12) program to
studies that include 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.
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 Committee 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
consider 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,
cooperation, and security assistance programs between the
United States and Israel.
Legislative History
On March 21, 2019, Theodore E. Deutch introduced H.R. 1837,
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in
addition to the Committees on Armed Services; Science, Space,
and Technology; Agriculture; Energy and Commerce; Judiciary;
Homeland 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 developing management strategies for
responding to ocean acidification.
Legislative History
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 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 Technology.
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
recommendation 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
development 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 addition, 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 and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
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, sustainable chemistry emphasizes
redesigning industrial products and processes to reduce or
eliminate hazards at their source by reducing 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 expanding the use of sustainable chemicals,
production processes, and stewardship practices throughout the
chemical science and engineering enterprise. The Committee
examined the research, technologies, 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
October 17, 2019, the Committee on the Budget was discharged of
consideration of the bill.
On December 9, 2019, H.R. 2051 was considered under
suspension 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 division 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 regarding 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
manufacturing 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.
Legislative History
On March 26, 2019, the Honorable Haley Stevens presiding,
the Research and Technology Subcommittee and the Energy
Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
held a joint hearing to review the successes and further
opportunities 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 Manufacturing 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
National 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
Resources.
On May 8, 2019, the Committee on Natural Resources'
Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a hearing on
the bill.
On September 18, 2019, the Natural Resources Committee
ordered the bill, as amended, favorably reported to the House
of Representatives 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 Technology 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
November 16, 2020 S. 910 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 116-221.
For further information regarding the legislative history
of H.R. 2405, please refer to PL 116-221 in Chapter 1.
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 research careers at institutions of higher education and at
federal laboratories.
Legislative History
On May 7, 2019 Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Ranking
Member Frank Lucas introduced H.R. 2528, the STEM Opportunities
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
Technology 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
infrastructure used in federal elections through providing
resources to states and localities to bolster election
infrastructure, and implement additional cybersecurity
protocols.
Legislative History
Representative Zoe Lofgren introduced the ``SAFE Act'' on
June 14, 2019. It was referred to the Committee on House
Administration, and, in addition, the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
On June 21, 2019, the Committee on House Administration
favorably reported H.R. 2722 by record vote of 6-3. On June 26,
2019, the Committee of Science, Space, and Technology was
discharged 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, development, 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
Energy Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology 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
Committee 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 Representatives 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
considered 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 interference.
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 signature (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 Gonzalez-Colon 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 signature on December 20, 2019 (P.L. 116-97).
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
Development Act of 2019 is to provide the Department of Energy
(DOE) with effective guidance to carry out a solar energy
research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) program that
will improve solar energy systems' efficiency, 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 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
considered 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
Development Act of 2019, is to direct federal research in
fossil energy and to promote the development and demonstration
of environmentally responsible coal and natural gas
technologies.
Legislative History
The Energy Subcommittee held a hearing on June 19, 2019 to
examine research and development needs to mitigate the
environmental impacts of the extraction and use of fossil fuels
in support of a draft of H.R. 3607. On July 2, 2019,
Representative Veasey introduced H.R. 3607 and the bill was
referred solely to the Committee 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
considered 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.
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
Development 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' efficiency, 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
Committee 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
considered 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,
demonstration, 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 program 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
Subcommittee 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 achieving this goal.
On June 19, 2019, the Honorable Conor Lamb presiding, the
Energy Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology 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 capture.
On September 11, 2019, the Energy Subcommittee favorably
report 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
recommendation 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
considered 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
technology barriers in the development of energy and energy-
relevant technologies
Legislative History
The Subcommittee on Energy held a legislative hearing on
February 26, 2019 to assess the role that ARPA-E plays in
accelerating 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
technological advances in pursuit of the agency's energy and
environmental 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
reported H.R. 4091 to the full Committee with the
recommendation that the bill be approved. On October 17, 2019,
the Committee favorably reported H.R. 4091, as amended, to the
House of Representatives 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
considered 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 output 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
introduced 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 enhance the research capacity at the
Nation's Historically Black Colleges 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 Committee
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 research initiative to ensure continued United States
leadership in engineering biology.
Legislative History
On March 12, 2019, the Subcommittee on Research and
Technology 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
introduced H.R. 4373, the Engineering Biology Research and
Development Act of 2019. The bill was referred to the House
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On September 25,
2019, the Committee 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
suspension of the rules and the bill was passed by voice vote.
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
September 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
discharged 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 research, 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 December 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.
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
background 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
reported H.R. 4656, as amended, to the full Committee with the
recommendation 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
provisions 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
understanding 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 challenges.
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
considered 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
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 Security 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
suspension 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
October 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
provisions 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 development 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
suspension of the rules, and the bill was passed by voice vote.
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
Investigations 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 Administration. 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
suspension 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
National 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
November 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
Appropriations, 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
forecasting 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
entitled, ``Space Weather: Advancing Research, Monitoring, and
Forecasting Capabilities.'' The purpose of this hearing was to
discuss current federal efforts to monitor and predict space
weather phenomena and focus on opportunities to improve space
weather forecasting 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 Committee 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 suspension 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
geothermal research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application 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 industries. Then on December 10, 2019, H.R. 5374 was
introduced by Ranking Member Frank Lucas. The bill was referred
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and then to
the Committee 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
Independence 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
examine research needs to modernize and secure our nation's
electricity grid. Witnesses and Members discussed the extensive
work done at the Department of Energy to develop technologies
that improve the flexibility, resilience, and security of the
electric grid, including 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 Subcommittee 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
understanding 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 consider 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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for
other purposes.
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 H.R. 5666 and agreed to forward the bill favorably
to the Full committee 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
interdisciplinary 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
electricity grid. The hearing was entitled ``The Future of
Electricity Delivery: 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 additional investments in our
nation's cybersecurity and emergency response 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
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. 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
hydropower, 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
hearing 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
Research and Development Act of 2019. Representative Suzanne
Bonamici introduced H.R. 6084 on March 4 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. 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
commercialization, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
On May 3, 2019 the Subcommittee on Energy held a Field
Hearing, 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 examine nuclear energy broadly, including its role as an
emissions-free energy source and as a national security asset,
as well as examining the impact that nuclear plants have on
local economies. Representative 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 Foreign 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 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 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 purpose 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 Intelligence and the
Future of Work,'' the purpose of which was to examine the
impact of machine learning and artificial intelligence on the
workforce, including issues related to worker displacement,
retraining of the current workforce, and developing a skilled
technical 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
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 as
Division E. 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 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
Council 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 ensure that the United States can effectively
compete with other national space programs, maintain dominance
in the emerging commercial space economy, and has market,
regulatory, and other means available to address unfair
competition from China based on the findings in the report.
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 incorporated 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 conferees 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 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine to conduct a study on the impact of Chinese
government policies and standards 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
Technology held a hearing entitled, ``Reauthorization of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology,'' in that
hearing the Subcommittee 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. competitiveness, 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 Technology. 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
(Section 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.
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 America's Transportation Infrastructure
for Climate Change'' that examined the threat to transportation
assets posed by climate change, assessed the current state of
federal research on transportation infrastructure climate
resilience, and explored strategies by which the federal
research enterprise can complement state and local efforts 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
Department of Transportation's surface transportation research,
development, 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 Accelerate Sustainability within the
Transportation Sector'' which examined the range of research,
development, and demonstration activities 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 Technology, and in
addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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
National 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 substances, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
Representative Ed Perlmutter introduced H.R. 7560 with
Representative 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 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 as Section 341. 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 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
Oceanographic 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
August 4, 2020 and the bill was referred solely to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The text of H.R.
7931 was incorporated 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 (Section 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.
2.63. H.R. 8132, American COMPETE Act
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 8132 is to require the Federal Trade
Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and
submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and
other technologies on United States businesses conducting
interstate commerce, 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 September 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
authorities to facilitate the commercial application of clean
energy and related technologies in the United States.
Legislative History
On July 17, 2020 the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled, ``From Lab to Market: Accelerating our Progress
toward Economic Recovery and a Clean Energy Future.'' The
hearing examined 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 Technology. 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 misinformation on the internet and social
media platforms.
Legislative History
On March 5, 2020 the Full committee met to hold a hearing
entitled, ``Coronaviruses: Understanding the Spread of
Infectious Diseases and Mobilizing Innovative Solutions.'' In
the hearing the Subcommittee discussed emerging infectious
diseases in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, and the
modeling 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 modeling can help control and mitigate 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 Technology. 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 provisions
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
cybersecurity through STEM scholarships, prize competitions,
and other STEM activities, and for other purposes.
Legislative History
On February 11, 2020 the Research and Technology
Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, ``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 strategies to expand and diversify the cybersecurity
workforce pipeline to meet the demand. On September 20, 2020,
Representative Kendra Horn introduced 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 Sections 5231 through 5238. On July 23, 2020 the bill
passed the Senate 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
Committee 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 Movement targeting
Israel
Purpose
The purpose of H. Res. 246 is to oppose the Global Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions Movement and other efforts targeting
Israel. The resolution urged both sides to return to direct
negotiations and expresses support for a solution resulting in
the state of Israel existing alongside a democratic Palestinian
state. It also affirmed 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
Technology 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
assessment of the current state of climate science. The
Committee received 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, Atkinson 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 Research Center;
Dr. Joseph Majkut, Director of Climate
Policy, Niskanen Center; and
Dr. Kristie Ebi, Rohm & Haas Endowed
Professor in Public 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 academia, the government and industry; the future of
U.S. research universities; STEM education and the U.S. STEM
workforce; and increasing international competition in areas of
emerging technology as well as opportunities for increased
international collaboration 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 Competitiveness.
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
perspectives 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 AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
ADMINISTRATION (NASA) FY2020 BUDGET REQUEST
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
Administrator.
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.
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 Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at
The Ohio State University; 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
knowledge 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 Cordova, Director of the National
Science Foundation;
Dr. Sheperd Doeleman, Director of the Event
Horizon Telescope, at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center
for Astrophysics;
Dr. Colin Lonsdale, Director of the MIT
Haystack Observatory; 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 Services (IPBES);
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 & Agricultural 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 opportunities 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. Government 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 California, 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
commercialization activities, including the impact of the
President's fiscal year 2020 budget request.
Witness: The Honorable Rick Perry, Secretary of the
Department of Energy.
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 design and use of this technology. The
hearing also examined the extent 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 Institute 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 projections 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 Institute, 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 Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Alaska
Department of Natural Resources; and
Dr. W. Tad Pfeffer, Fellow, Institute of
Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado
Boulder.
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
anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Witnesses:
Mr. Charles Fishman, author of One Giant
Leap: The Impossible 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
forensic science since the 2009 National Academy of Sciences
report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A
Path Forward, and to examine the role of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology in the advancement of forensic
science research 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 recommendations for updates to the bill.
Witnesses:
Ms. Susan Ballou, Program Manager in the
Office of Special Programs at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology;
Ms. Lynn Garcia, General Counsel for the
Texas Forensic Science Commission;
Ms. Vicki Zemp Behenna, Executive Director
of the Oklahoma 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
technology activities at the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) including: agency-wide policies and practices related to
the development 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 Committee, and the importance
of transparency and integrity in the agency's science
activities.
Witness: The Honorable Andrew Wheeler, Administrator,
Environmental 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 extreme weather events. The panel discussed
economic and other societal impacts of extreme weather,
explored the state of forecasting and prediction of extreme
weather with a focus on how to communicate uncertainty, and
identified gaps in the science.
Witnesses:
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic
Association Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric
Sciences and Geography, 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 Observatory and School of Engineering and Applied
Sciences, Columbia University; Director and Chief
Scientist, Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate,
Columbia University;
Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National
Weather Center, University of Oklahoma; and
Dr. Ann Bostrom, Weyerhaeuser Endowed
Professor in Environmental 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 Emeritus, National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, 2009 2019;
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, Center 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 vaccine; and consider
the common technology and data platforms that could accelerate
progress in vaccine development for many diseases. An
additional purpose of the hearing was to examine the public-
private partnerships and state-federal partnerships to advance
vaccine innovation and deployment, as well as efforts to
communicate 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 Diseases 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 Epidemiologists; and
Dr. Robin Robinson, Vice-President for
Scientific Affairs at RenovaCare; former Director of
the Biomedical Advanced Research 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
additional purpose was to assess the gaps in accessible science
and technology resources and advice, and to explore the
opportunities and challenges for addressing such gaps,
including whether a renewed 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 International Affairs at the Harvard
Kennedy School of Government;
Dr. Timothy Persons, Chief Scientist and
Managing Director the Science, Technology Assessment,
and Analytics team at the U.S. Government
Accountability Office; and
Dr. Peter Blair, Executive Director of the
Division on Engineering 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 findings.
Witnesses:
Dr. Pamela McElwee, Associate Professor of
Human Ecology, 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 Sustainability, Fort Lewis College, Colorado;
Mr. Michael Shellenberger, Founder and
President, Environmental Progress; and
Ms. Taryn Fransen, Senior Fellow, Global
Climate Program, 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, development and STEM workforce
that will be essential to maintaining 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;
Dr. Eric Schmidt, Founder of Schmidt
Futures; Chairman of the Defense Innovation Board; and
Chairman of the National Security Commission on
Artificial Intelligence; and
Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, Executive Vice
President for Research 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 FEDERAL
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, development, 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 SOLUTIONS
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss emerging
infectious diseases, in light of the recent coronavirus
outbreak, and the modeling 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 modeling 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 (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 Response (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 Environmental 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 Environmental 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
Agency--Energy (ARPA-E) plays in accelerating 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 technological advances in
pursuit of the agency's energy and environmental missions.
Witnesses:
Dr. Arun Majumdar, Jay Precourt Provostial
Chair Professor at Stanford University;
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 Bernice Johnson and Ranking Member Frank Lucas at the
beginning of the 116th Congress. This legislation would ensure
that the Department of Energy considers water intensity in
energy research and development activities and energy intensity
in water production and use. The hearing focused on current
issues and opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Witnesses:
Dr. Vincent Tidwell, Distinguished Member of
the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories;
Ms. Kate Zerrenner, Senior Manager at the
Environmental Defense Fund;
Dr. Richard Bonner, Vice President of
Research and Development 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 NATIONAL 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 examining 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 Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear
Energy; Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
Admiral William Fallon, Retired, United
States Navy;
Ms. Tina M. Taylor, Senior Director of
Research and Development 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 Deputy Laboratory Director of the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory;
Ms. Abby Hopper, Esq., President and Chief
Executive Officer 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
development 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 Development 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.
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 focused on two draft bills at the time: H.R. 5428, the
Grid Modernization 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 Security, and Emergency Response;
Mr. Juan J. Torres, Associate Laboratory
Director of Energy Systems Integration at the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory; Co-Chair of the Grid
Modernization Lab Consortium;
Ms. Kelly Speakes-Backman, Chief Executive
Officer of the Energy Storage Association; and
Ms. Katherine Hamilton, Chair of 38 North
Solutions; Executive 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
research, development, and demonstration activities necessary
to advance sustainable transportation. The hearing served to
inform the development of legislation that will guide the
Department of Energy's activities in these areas.
Witnesses:
Ms. Ann M. Schlenker, Director of the Center
for Transportation 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 Transportation Program at Oak Ridge
National Laboratory; and
Mr. Tim Cortes, Vice President of Hydrogen
Energy Systems 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
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 Renewable Power of the Department of Energy's
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy;
Dr. Bryson Robertson, Co-Director of the
Pacific Marine Energy Center, and Associate Professor
of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State
University;
Dr. Joseph Moore, Manager of the Utah
Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy
(FORGE), and Research Professor at the University of
Utah;
Ms. Maria Richards, Director of the
Geothermal Laboratory, 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
Ballroom, Houston, TX. The purpose of this hearing was to
examine the state of advanced carbon capture, utilization, and
storage technologies and practices in the United States and to
determine how the federal government can best accelerate this
growing area of research in support of U.S. interests in energy
security, environmental stewardship, and national security.
Witnesses:
Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Chief Energy
Officer and Professor of Chemical Engineering at the
University of Houston;
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,
development, and demonstration (RD&D) needs to support the
sustainable supply of critical materials for energy
technologies and other applications. The witnesses discussed
the importance of a reliable, affordable 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 Chemistry at Washington University in St.
Louis;
Mr. David Weiss, Vice President of
Engineering and Research and Development at Eck
Industries, Inc.; and
Dr. Carol Handwerker, Reinhardt Schuhmann
Jr. Professor of Materials Engineering & Environmental
and Ecological 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
development activities and facilities supported by the
Department of Energy's Office of Science, and to consider
potential future directions 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 FUTURE
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 Energizing 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 Director of the Department of Energy's Office of
Technology Transitions;
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.
3.2(m). Hearing Volume No. 116-80
September 11, 2020
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY:
LEVERAGING DOE'S UNIQUE CAPABILITIES TO RESPOND TO THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC
The purpose of this hearing was to examine the biological
research and development activities within the Department of
Energy 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 expertise 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 Biosciences at Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory;
Dr. Debra Mohnen, Professor of the
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the
University of Georgia;
Dr. Glenn C. Randall, Chair of the Committee
on Microbiology at the University of Chicago; and
Dr. Kelly C. Wrighton, Associate Professor
of the Department 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
anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions on our oceans and coasts
including 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).
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
Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget request for the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and associated issues.
Witness: The Honorable Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and
Prediction, performing 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
develop U.S. leadership in weather modeling and forecasting,
and the coordination and collaboration between the different
sectors to ensure 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, performing the duties of Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (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 Oklahoma 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 applications, technological innovations,
research gaps, and the future of the field.
Witnesses:
Dr. Katy Croff Bell, Founding Director, Open
Ocean Initiative, MIT Media Lab;
Dr. Carlie Wiener, Director of Marine
Communications, Schmidt Ocean Institute;
Mr. Steve Barrett, Senior Vice President for
Business Development, 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
Auditorium, 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 knowledge gaps and improvements to current research
efforts.
Witnesses:
Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, Assistant
Administrator for Weather Services, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Director,
National Weather Service (NWS);
Dr. Hanadi Rifai, P.E., John and Rebecca
Moores Professor; Director, Environmental Engineering
Graduate Program; Associate Dean Research and
Facilities, Director of Hurricane 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 Engineering, 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 CAPABILITIES
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 capabilities.
Witnesses:
Mr. Bill Murtagh, Program Coordinator,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA) Space Weather Prediction 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).
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 Atmospheric 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 Environmental 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, University of Washington;
Dr. Peter P. Neilley, IBM Distinguished
Engineer and Director of Weather Forecasting Sciences
and Technologies, The Weather Company, An IBM Business;
and
Dr. Thomas Auligne, Director of the Joint
Center for Satellite Data Assimilation, University
Corporation for Atmospheric 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 EXAMINATION 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
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses science to inform its
flood products, how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) researches and communicates flooding and
sea level rise, and whether additional federal resources are
needed to research and communicate present and future flood
risk to the public.
Witnesses:
Mr. Michael Grimm, Assistant Administrator
for Risk Management, Federal Insurance and Mitigation
Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Mr. Mark Osler, Senior Advisor for Coastal
Inundation and Resilience, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, 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.
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
behavioral sciences in risk communication of science-based
messages related to these compound stressors, the gaps in
emergency management research to inform preparation and
response, and the public and human health impacts of dealing
with disasters during a global 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 Accountability 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 Development, and Science Advisor,
Environmental Protection Agency; and
Mr. Alfredo Gomez, Director, Natural
Resources and Environment, Government Accountability
Office.
Panel 2:
Dr. Bernard D. Goldstein, Professor
Emeritus, Dean Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh
Graduate School of Public Health;
Dr. Ivan Rusyn, Professor, Department of
Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M
University; Chair, Interdisciplinary Faculty of
Toxicology; Director, Texas A&M Superfund 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
transportation assets posed by climate change, assess the
current state of federal research on transportation
infrastructure climate resilience, and explore strategies by
which the federal research enterprise can complement state and
local efforts on transportation climate resilience more
effectively.
Witnesses:
Ms. Susanne DesRoches, Deputy Director for
Infrastructure and Energy, New York City Mayor's Office
of Resiliency and Office of Sustainability;
Mr. Gregory D. Winfree, Director, Texas A&M
Transportation Institute (TTI);
Mr. Jason Averill, Chief, Materials and
Structural Systems Division, Engineering Laboratory,
National Institute of Standards 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 SUBCOMMITTEE: 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 registration systems, voting machines, and the
maintenance and operations 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, California;
Dr. Latanya Sweeney, Professor of Government
and Technology in Residence, Department of Government,
Harvard University, Institute for Quantitative Social
Science;
Mr. Paul Ziriax, Secretary, Oklahoma State
Election Board; and
Dr. Josh Benaloh, Senior Cryptographer,
Microsoft Research.
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 Appointment Process.
Witnesses:
Mr. J. Alfredo Gomez, Director, Natural
Resources and Environment, 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
technologies 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 behavior.
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 & Computer 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 prevalence and effects of lead in drinking water and the
challenges that local leaders face in addressing lead
contamination. The Subcommittee considered innovative science-
based solutions for anticipating risk and preventing
contamination and explored research opportunities to help
municipalities reduce lead exposure more quickly and cost-
effectively.
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 Professor 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 ENERGY'S OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The purpose of this hearing was to assess the Department of
Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(EERE) use of funds to advance clean energy research and
development. 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, Department of Energy's Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable 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
foundations behind repurposing existing drugs for the treatment
of COVID-19. The Subcommittee discussed how researchers
identify and test approved drugs--developed for other uses--
that could lessen the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, as well as
the regulatory approval process for the use of these drugs
among infected patients.
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 Computing, Environment and Life Sciences,
Argonne National Laboratory; 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 SUBCOMMITTEE: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
IN COUNTERING TRAFFICKING 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 response.
Witnesses:
Ms. Anjana Rajan, Chief Technology Officer,
Polaris;
Mr. Matthew Daggett, Technical Staff,
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Systems
Group, Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology;
Ms. Emily Kennedy, President and Co-Founder,
Marinus Analytics; and
Ms. Hannah Darnton, Associate Director of
Ethics, Technology, 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
management at the local, state, and federal level, including
how relevant stakeholders are collecting, analyzing, and
reporting data that informs COVID-19 research and decision
making. The Subcommittee discussed how healthcare providers,
scientists, and public health agencies can ensure the
integrity, accuracy, and transparency of data in the midst of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Witnesses:
Dr. Lisa M. Lee, PhD, Associate Vice
President for Research and Innovation, Virginia Tech;
Dr. Lisa L. Maragakis, MD, PhD, Senior
Director of Infection 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 examine the role of the federal government in
research and development (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 Capital;
Dr. Kevin Solomon, Assistant Professor of
Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue
University;
Dr. Eric Hegg, Professor of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology at Michigan State University and
Michigan State University 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 Religion and Ethics and Senior Advisor to
the Provost for Programs 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 SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD,
WITH ENERGY SUBCOMMITTEE: REVITALIZING AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCED
MANUFACTURING
The purpose of this hearing was to review the successes and
further 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 Institutes and explored how the
Institutes are working to accelerate the development of an
advanced manufacturing workforce; leverage 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
hearing was 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 achieving this goal.
Witnesses:
Mr. Ryan Myers, Director of Business
Development, Department of Defense, for Hexagon
Manufacturing Intelligence;
Mr. Mike Molnar, Director of the Office of
Advanced Manufacturing at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST);
Dr. John Hopkins, CEO of the Institute for
Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI);
Ms. Valri Lightner, Acting Director of the
Advanced Manufacturing Office under the Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable 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
Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the National Institute of
Standards 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 industry to advance U.S. competitiveness, and key
facilities construction 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
National 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 Chemistry at Troy University;
Dr. Gregg Beckham, Senior Research Fellow at
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; and
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 Foundation and related policy and management
issues.
Witnesses:
Dr. France Cordova, 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
implementation 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 Program Management at the Minnesota
Department of Transportation;
Mr. Brian Ness, Director of the Idaho
Transportation Department; 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 Research 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 SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD,
WITH INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE: SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY IN
FEDERAL AGENCIES
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the importance
of scientific integrity policies within federal agencies that
fund, conduct, or oversee research and to examine the status of
current such policies. An additional purpose of the hearing was
the receive testimony 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. Government 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 opportunities for expanding the use of sustainable
chemicals, production 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
Communications, 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
machine learning and artificial intelligence on the workforce,
including issues related to worker displacement, retraining of
the current workforce, and developing a skilled technical
workforce of the future 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 Management 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 suburban communities to provide safe and efficient
mobility solutions, to examine the research and development
needs to ensure this technology 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 Westinghouse Professor of Electrical and
Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University;
Dr. Tierra Bills, Assistant Professor Civil
and Environmental 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 SUBCOMMITTEE LEAD,
WITH ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: CALM BEFORE THE STORM: REAUTHORIZING THE
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT 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.
Witnesses:
Dr. Scott Weaver, Director of the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program at the National
Institute of Standards and Technology;