Full Committee Hearing - Member Day Hearing: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
2025-03-11
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Source: Congress.gov
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Welcome to the science committee's member day hearing for the 119th Congress. And I recognize myself for five minutes for an opening statement. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee's member day hearing for the 119th Congress. I appreciate our colleague's efforts today to share his interests and priorities within the committee's jurisdiction. His willingness to voice his constituents' concerns is critical in shaping our discussions and enhancing our collective efforts. As I have said before, the spotlight is on us, folks. The world has never paid as much attention to the matters within this committee's purview as it does right now, and we are ready to lead the charge. We have a full agenda ahead, and I'm confident that through collaboration, we will make significant progress in maintaining America's leadership in science and technology. This includes our commitment to propelling humanity into new frontiers by advancing space exploration, driving scientific discovery, and spearheading cutting-edge technologies in fields like quantum computing and artificial intelligence. With several important hearings already behind us, we look forward to advancing our legislative efforts soon. Together, we will endeavor to ensure America remains a global competitor at the helm of these crucial issues, so let's continue the great work. I now recognize the ranking member, Lofgren, for five minutes for her opening statement.
Well, thank you, Chairman Babin, and for today's hearing. I look forward to hearing from members, I think, or at least a member, on priorities for the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. With science at the forefront, we do have a responsibility and opportunity to support federal R&D to help us build a bright future. We have to continue to promote innovative solutions to challenges we face, build our STEM workforce, push for development and deployment of new energy technologies, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and explore the unknown. These topics shouldn't be partisan issues, and I hope we can continue the very long tradition in this committee of working toward bipartisan consensus. That is a tradition of the science committee that goes back many decades, and it's really the only way we can address these critical issues in a meaningful and thoughtful way. I would like to note, as we did last week, the loss of our member, Mr. Turner. He did not served with us for a long period of time on this committee, but he served with us well. Arrangements are being made this Saturday for his services, and we will make sure that all the members of the committee have that information. I know schedules are established far in advance, but in case that is possible for anyone who wants to honor him with their presence. I would like also to note that we are serving here at a tumultuous time, but the focus I have had on this committee on three particular issues remain enormously important, not just to me, but I think to our future, and that is A.I. quantum computing, and fusion. And these three areas work in a synergistic way. And if we actually succeed, as we hope, they will have a profound and positive impact on our world.
Thank you very much, and also notice the flowers as well that my colleagues have displayed in memory of our lost friend, Congressman Sylvester Turner, who we lost last week. I'd like to reiterate how much I appreciated working with Mr. Turner over the years while he was the mayor of Houston. and I looked very much forward to having him on this committee. He was a true gentleman and I continue to pray for his friends and loved ones during this tragic time and we will miss him. Okay. Other members are welcome to submit written statements for the record. And our colleague Mr. Foster from Illinois is now recognized to present his testimony.
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The Honorable Bill Foster
Sure. Well, thank you, Chair Bannon, Ranking Member Lofgren, and I echo your thoughts on Representative Turner. And I also congratulate you on having your turnout here. You have 100% of the PhD physicists in Congress who will be presenting testimony here. And so I'd like to start, as most of you know, I spent 25 years at the Fermi National Accelerator Lab and spent years as the co-chair of the National Labs Caucus touring, taking members of Congress on tours of the National Lab. We got more than halfway through when COVID put a halt to it.
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