Science and Technology
As Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Representative Smith is an advocate for America’s innovators by promoting policies that encourage scientific discoveries, space exploration, and the development of new innovations to expand our economy and create jobs for American workers. The Science Committee oversees agency budgets totaling $39 billion, most of which is focused on research and development. The purpose of the Science Committee is to encourage the basic research that leads to new innovations.
The Committee was established in 1958 as the primary congressional body to oversee NASA, our nation’s newly formed space agency. Throughout the years, its jurisdiction has expanded, and now includes the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, among others.
The Committee is currently working on legislation to reauthorize NASA’s programs and give direction to our space agency as it undergoes a period of uncertainty and transition following various administration proposals. Space exploration is an investment in our nation’s future—often the far distant future. But space exploration also captures the minds of Americans and encourages future generations to dream big, work hard and shoot for the stars. The Committee will also be considering various bills in the coming months with the common theme of making sure America stays competitive in the global marketplace.
As Chairman of the Science Committee, Representative Smith is looking for ways to not only encourage students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), but also to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields. That means preparing students for advanced degrees and ensuring that young adults have the scientific and mathematic literacy to thrive in a technology-based economy.
The Science Committee plays an important role in promoting the work of Texas’ innovators, from the high-tech industry in Austin and San Antonio to the energy and space sectors in Houston. For more information on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, please visit the website, http://science.house.gov/.
More on Science and Technology
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released a statement following the launch of the Orion spacecraft from Cape Canaveral:
Chairman Smith: “The Orion launch is a major milestone for U.S. space exploration and our efforts to travel further into our solar system than ever before. That is why I place the highest priority on ensuring NASA remains on budget and on schedule with the Space Launch System (SLS).
Congressman Lamar Smith, chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today held a hearing to examine misuse of taxpayer dollars by the National Ecological Observatory Network Inc. (NEON), an environmental non-profit funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today submitted hundreds of pages of comments to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, urging the agency to scrap its costly rule to regulate emissions from existing electric power plants in the U.S. Today is the deadline to submit formal comments on the proposal.
Washington, D.C. – House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement congratulating students chosen from around the country to participate in the 2014-2015 NASA Student Launch Challenge:
Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after President Obama announced a climate deal with China.
Recent news reports have indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) appears to have deleted thousands of text messages sent and received by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy on her official agency phone, including those that would qualify as federal records under the law. Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to EPA Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins, Jr.
Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) requesting detailed information and documents surrounding the agency’s decision to fund a grant that targeted political messages on social media. The web service, named “Truthy,” was used to target political commentary associated with words such as “Tea Party,” “GOP” and “conservati
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement in response to today’s climate change report released by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Space Subcommittee Chairman Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) released the following statement in response to Friday’s news of a test flight anomaly involving Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo:
Chairman Smith and Palazzo: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of one of the test pilots during today’s SpaceShipTwo flight. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Virgin Galactic family.”
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Space Subcommittee Chairman Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) released the following statement in response to Tuesday's failed launch attempt at a Wallops Island,Virginia launch facility.