Today the U.S. House unanimously approved H.R. 353, the Lucas-Bridenstine Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act. This legislation prioritizes protecting lives and property. ‘Every minute counts in the lead up before a major storm or tornado,” said Congressman Frank Lucas. “This legislation helps to give those in harm’s way additional disaster preparation time which could ultimately be the difference between life and death or thousands of dollars in property damage. I am encouraged that... Read more

Today, Congressman Jim Bridenstine voted for H.R. 26, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act or the REINS Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives 237/187. Under the Obama Administration, unelected bureaucrats have used expansive and intrusive new regulations to fundamentally remake the American economy. The REINS Act would help restore Congress’s constitutional power to make law, by requiring an up-or-down vote in Congress and the President’s signature to approve an... Read more

Today, Congressman Jim Bridenstine voted for the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. The NDAA conference report reconciles differences in the House and Senate versions passed earlier this year. NDAA is a bipartisan bill that authorizes funding for America’s armed forces and sets Department of Defense policy. Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act 55 years in a row. The NDAA conference report includes a number of critical provisions: Pay raise for... Read more

Spire, Inc. WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX21), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK1), chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today released the following statements congratulating Spire, Inc., a private sector weather company, on earning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first contract to acquire data from a commercial weather satel... Read more

Today, the House passed landmark pro-life legislation to stop abortion coercion. The Conscience Protection Act prohibits government from penalizing or retaliating against any health care provider who refuses to participate in abortion activities, or insurers who refuse to provide coverage. The bill also creates a right to sue for anybody forced to violate their consciences on abortion. Congressman Bridenstine said: “I believe that abortion takes the life of an unborn child and harms women. Even ... Read more

Congressman Jim Bridenstine invited Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to testify on the impact Obama Administration regulations are having on the state of Oklahoma. The hearing topic is “The Impact of EPA’s Clean Power Plan on States.” The Congressman is chairing a hearing of the Environment Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Thursday at 9:30 AM (Eastern Time). Pruitt will be the lead witness. Also testifying will be Brianne Gorod, Chief Counsel, C... Read more

Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill from Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) to increase the funding for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST) by $1 million. Building on efforts led by Representative Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), this amendment brings appropriations for this office in line with the President’s Budget Request an... Read more

Congressman Jim Bridenstine stated, “We must stand against President Obama’s aggressive attempts to fundamentally transform America. Congress must use the ‘power of the purse’ to combat this executive overreach. Parents and schools should assert their rights to govern themselves and not submit to Obama’s lawless federal bullying.” Congressman Bridenstine is joining Members of Congress in a letter to the President condemning his recent directive about gender identity and school bathrooms. -- 30 -... Read more

The Lesser Prairie Chicken has been a thriving neighbor to U.S. military bases and energy industry operations across the Southwest. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week acknowledged the success of conservation efforts and the birds’ tenacity, deciding to not pursue relisting it as a threatened species. “This has long been an effort by Members of Congress from Oklahoma. I’m glad the USFWS has received the message,” said Congressman Jim Bridenstine. Bridenstine led the effort last week ame... Read more

“Restoring military readiness means lifting burdens on our military installations where possible and reasonable” Congressman Bridenstine said. “The U.S. military takes great pains to comply with the many regulations imposed by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). ESA imposes costs on our military every day. We need to balance those costs against the imperative of training and preparing the force.” The Congressman noted errors in the studies for the original listings of two species, the Lesser Prair... Read more