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It was an exciting week for the Science Committee!
👀 Check out highlights from this week in the Committee Newsletter and don't forget to sign up to get it delivered straight to your inbox!
SNEAK PEAK: , 5 Bipartisan Bills, Updates from Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and MORE! ⬇
ICYMI – Chairwoman Representative Haley Stevens of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology bill, the Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act, passed House Science, Space, & Technology Committee this week!
Read about it here⬇️
Today marks 1 year of the President Joe Biden & Vice President Kamala Harris Administration!
In 2021, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology took action to restore scientific integrity, combat climate change, & promote innovation.
Check out how we delivered & what’s ahead for 2022⤵
ICYMI: Yesterday, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee markup of 5 strong bipartisan pieces of legislation. All 5 bills PASSED and were favorably reported to the House.
➡️ H.R. 4521, the “Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021”
➡️ H.R. 847, the “Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act”
➡️ H.R. 4270, the “Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act”
➡️ H.R. 4819, the “National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021”
➡️ H.R. 6291, the “Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act” or “Micro Act”
You can watch the markup and read more about these bills on our site!
This morning, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson gaveled in the Committee's first markup of 2022. Science Committee Members considered H.R. 4521, the “Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021;” H.R. 847, the “Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act;” H.R. 4270, the “Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act;” H.R. 4819, the “National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021;” and H.R. 6291, the “Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act.”
Watch the markup and read the Chairwoman's opening statement below.
RELEASE: Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Applauds Interagency Task Force on Release of Scientific Integrity Report
“I applaud the SI-FTAC and the Biden Administration for affirming the critical importance of strengthening throughout Federal research and policymaking processes. This report demonstrates that sound scientific integrity procedures, strong protections for Federal scientists, and consistent support for scientific integrity from agency leaders represent the cornerstones of a lasting culture of Federal scientific integrity. The report articulates many valuable best practices that should be widely adopted and vigorously implemented by Federal agencies. I will continue to support the Administration’s efforts to bolster scientific integrity, including the planned development of a framework to assess scientific integrity policies throughout the Federal Government.” – Chairwoman Johnson
Read the full release ⬇
This morning, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope successfully launched from the European Spaceport located near Kourou, French Guiana. Throughout the next month, the telescope will undergo its complex deployment process as it travels nearly one million miles to its destination in space. The main goals of Webb’s mission include searching for the first galaxies formed in the universe, observing the formation of stars, building our understanding of the evolution of galaxies, and measuring physical and chemical properties of planetary systems. JWST is an international collaboration among the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
“Today’s successful launch of the James Webb Space Telescope marks a historic milestone in our advancement of astrophysics and space science,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “After two decades in development and painstaking work, this incredible observatory is on its way to transforming our understanding of the early universe and much more. I would like to send my heartfelt congratulations to NASA, Northrop Grumman, our international partners, and the entire James Webb Telescope team on today’s success. While there is much work ahead as the observatory undertakes the ‘29 days on edge’ deployment and its million-mile journey to orbit, getting to this point is a milestone to celebrate. I wish NASA and the international and contractor partners the best of luck in its continuing efforts as we look forward to the observatory’s future science operations.”
“Webb Telescope’s successful launch today is an incredible achievement to celebrate,” said Chairman Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “I’d like to extend my congratulations and gratitude to NASA, the JWST Team, our international partners, and Northrop Grumman on this success and the hard work that led to it. As a long-time advocate for the observatory, I’m especially glad to see this critical step reached toward JWST’s long-awaited science mission. Today’s success and the ones to hopefully follow will undoubtedly inspire an entire generation of students excited to learn and grow from this observatory. I wish NASA and their partners the very best as Webb begins its very challenging deployment and million-mile journey to orbit. I’m looking forward to following the mission every step of the way.”
2021 has been busy– our dedication to with brought science back into the decision-making process.
With a focus on scientific integrity & listening to the experts, we continue to act on solving our nation's most pressing issues.
Looking to 2022, we’re at a pivotal moment as a nation - we must continue forward to ensure we with a bright future for American science & technology.
Together, we can ensure a strong and innovative future for all Americans.
What do look like?
-Increasing Diversity in STEM
-Fully funding U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science
-Investing in excellent research
-Improving education and research training
-Passing National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Future Act!
Read more: science.house.gov/action
(Washington, DC) – On January 1, 2022, Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, the Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director of the National Weather Service (NWS) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will retire after over 40 years in public service. Dr. Uccellini has been at NWS for the past three decades and has served as its Director for the past nine years.
“I’d like to extend my best wishes to Dr. Uccellini on his retirement,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “Dr. Uccellini will leave an undeniable legacy on the science and weather community that includes not only more accurate weather forecasts, but better communication of those forecasts to all communities across our nation. Dr. Uccellini’s accomplishments at NWS are numerous and include building the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, establishing the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador program, and restructuring the Weather Service for a 21st century world. His dedicated service, and commitment to scientific integrity, has been a tremendous asset not only to NOAA and the Weather Service, but to all Americans. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Uccellini for his distinguished record of public service, and I wish him the very best in his retirement.”
“Dr. Uccellini has been serving our country selflessly for 43 years. Both a public servant and a globally-renowned expert, he has been an incredible asset to the National Weather Service and in turn, our nation’s environmental work,” said Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). “As Chairwoman of the Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment, I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Uccellini on several occasions. His depth of knowledge and dedication to protecting our environment will be sorely missed. I wish him a happy and healthy retirement.”
Yesterday, the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) released the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026. The IARPC Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 addresses the most pressing Arctic research needs that require a collaborative approach and can advance understanding of the Arctic and climate change, inform policy and planning decisions, and promote the well-being of Arctic and global communities. The priorities of the Arctic Research Plan were identified by Arctic communities, federal agencies, the state of Alaska, Tribal and Indigenous communities, and other organizations.
“The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee’s (IARPC) Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 is critical to informing how we move forward with our research efforts in the Arctic,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. “Ensuring U.S. leadership with a strong research presence in the Arctic is absolutely critical as we work to address the climate crisis from all fronts. The rate of warming in the Arctic is twice as fast as the rest of the earth—we need a robust and equitable plan to advance our scientific understanding of these rapid changes and their impacts on Indigenous communities, biodiversity, food security, and extreme weather events. Collaboration and partnerships between Indigenous organizations, federal science agencies, academia, Arctic communities, international partners, and others is key. As Chairwoman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I look forward to continuing to support research efforts in the Arctic and working with our federal science agencies, Indigenous communities, and our non-federal partners as we move forward with this bold plan.”
https://science.house.gov/news/press-releases/chairwoman-johnson-statement-on-release-of-iarpc-arctic-research-plan-2022-2026