Good morning, and welcome to the first meeting of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for the 119th Congress.
I want to welcome back our Ranking Member, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, a longtime member of this committee. I look forward to working with you on the various issues that fall under our shared priorities.
I also want to offer a special welcome to the Members joining the SST Committee for the first time, as well as those returning.
You have joined a committee that is instrumental in paving the way for America’s future accomplishments and ensuring our security and success for decades to come. Please join me in giving them a warm welcome.
Our work on this Committee will expand and strengthen the foundation we have laid throughout the 21st century to ensure we keep competitors in check and lead in the sectors of science, space, and technology.
This Committee was established in July of 1958 as a direct response to the Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, the world’s first satellite. During this era, we faced a serious challenge to our global leadership—and it is no different now.
Once created, the Committee ensured the United States conquered the challenge posed by the Soviet Union while fostering innovation, making new discoveries, strengthening our global competitiveness, and leading the world in science and technology.
While the Committee’s jurisdiction has grown, and the competitors have changed, our purpose is essentially the same nearly 70 years later.
The SST Committee’s legislative and oversight efforts in the 119th Congress will be focused on several key issues, including:
Upholding our nation’s tradition of leading humanity to new frontiers, especially in space and discovery;
Building groundbreaking advancements through strong public-private partnerships;
Getting America back in the business of leading the world in transformative advancements across ALL sectors;
Reducing regulatory burdens to continue enhancing American competitiveness and driving innovation;
And ensuring our nation isn’t tethered to Earth by red tape.
American industry needs to work at the speed of innovation – NOT bureaucracy.
By working together, I’ve no doubt we can meet our goals and achieve much this Congress.
We will consider legislation to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in quantum information sciences, improve our nation’s weather forecasting capabilities, and ensure that the agencies we oversee are focused on their core duties – advancing science, keeping America safe, and finding common-sense solutions.
We will also advance legislation that supports the U.S. commercial space industry, keeps NASA on its mission to return Americans to the Moon, and establishes a pathway to Mars and beyond.
Lastly, our committee will protect taxpayer dollars through rigorous oversight of federal research agencies.
Ladies and gentlemen, the spotlight is on us. The world has never paid as much attention to the issues under this Committee’s purview as it does now.
By utilizing each committee member’s expertise, background, and unique district interests, I am confident we can do great things for the American people and ensure our nation’s best days remain ahead.