Eddie Johnson

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kelly).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the outstanding gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand before this body today to speak in support of H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act of 2022. I am very proud to be the sponsor of this bill, and as chairwoman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I am especially proud of the strong bipartisan bills from my committee that are included in this package. It is a privilege to be able to come together in the House this week to consider this consequential piece of legislation. It is legislation that is critical to the future health of our American science and innovation enterprise and our Nation's competitiveness. The United States has long been a beacon of excellence in science and innovation. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. It is time for us to revitalize Federal support for the kinds of research and development initiatives that enabled us to achieve that excellence in the first place. We need to take a holistic approach that encompasses everything from the state-of-the-art research and development taking place at our national labs to advanced manufacturing facilities that employ and support communities across the Nation. It is not an understatement to say that we can usher in an exciting and prosperous future for American competitiveness with the suite of provisions contained in Divisions A and B of the America COMPETES Act. These include transformative support for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In addition, the provisions in this act will enable us to create a strong and diverse STEM workforce, one that is ready to address the great societal and scientific challenges we face as a nation. One of many STEM provisions included in the America COMPETES Act is the STEM Opportunities Act. This is an initiative I have been working to make law for 15 years and which is needed now more than ever. With this legislation, we are making investments to build clean energy solutions, address the climate crisis, reinforce our national security, enhance our semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, and so much more. In short, we are acting to address the critical needs identified by the scientific community, industry, academia, and other stakeholders as what they need most to succeed in the 21st century. If we are to continue to lead and be able to compete on a global scale, we must chart our own course. The United States has endless potential to lead the world in innovation and competitiveness, and the America COMPETES Act can supply the driving force to get us there. Before I close, I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi and my colleagues on and off the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for their work in getting us to this point. I would also like to thank Ranking Member Lucas for being a constructive partner with me to ensure that we passed bipartisan bills that incorporated the good ideas put forth by Members on both sides of the aisle in our committee. Finally, I would like to thank the staff of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for the hard work, dedication, and long hours that they have put in throughout this process. I deeply appreciate what they have done. This is a strong package, one that was put together with the needs of each and every American, especially those in historically underserved communities, in mind. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the America COMPETES Act of 2022, and I look forward to its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 900, I call up the bill (H.R. 4521) to provide for a coordinated Federal research initiative to ensure continued United States leadership in engineering biology, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, right now, our Nation is at a crossroads. As we speak, the sacred right to vote--the fundamental pillar on which our Nation was built on--is under attack. That's why I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. This bill--itself a result of prolonged and spirited deliberation between the House and the Senate--will if enacted serve as a safeguard for our democracy for generations to come. Let me be clear: every American must have the opportunity to make their voices heard and their votes counted. This is an issue with no middle ground--when the voice or the vote of one is suppressed, so be it for us all. We have seen no better example of the attack on voting rights than in my home state of Texas. Initiatives like SB. I have sought to undermine the right to vote freely, fairly, and safely for people across the state--especially those in minority and underserved communities. We have and must continue to fight these archaic and discriminatory laws, and today is a step in the right direction. I would also be remiss if I didn't point out that we are using a bill from the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which I chair, to advance this legislation. Our Committee has traditionally focused on the issues of the future--items such as scientific research, space exploration, and technological innovations. That is why it is fitting that the House Leadership chose one of our bills to guarantee that the United States Senate would debate the future of our democracy. Madam Speaker, simply put, we can no longer afford the cost of inaction on this issue. I urge my colleagues in both the House and Senate to support this legislation so that we can meet the urgency of the moment.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5746, the ``NASA Enhanced Use Lease Extension Act of 2021''. I want to thank Chairman Beyer of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics for introducing this bipartisan bill, along with Subcommittee Rankin Member Babin, Representative Troy Carter, and Representative Young Kim , as original cosponsors. As Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I've had the privilege over the years to visit many NASA Field Centers and witness the extensive infrastructure required to support our nation's inspiring space program. Some of those properties are underutilized and many are aging. Therefore, they can fall into disrepair. NASA facilities, properties, and infrastructure comprise over 5,000 buildings and structures, including those at its field centers, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The extension of enhanced use leasing authority in this bill helps NASA manage the agency's real property, including the preservation of underutilized or unique, historic properties. As Chairman Beyer noted, enhanced use leasing, or ``EUL'', allows NASA to enter into agreements with state and local governments, academia, private sector entities, and other Federal government agencies to lease non-excess and underutilized properties at NASA. EUL authority allows the agency to accept lease revenues, in turn helping NASA to reduce operating costs and make repairs and improvements to facility systems. According to NASA, in Fiscal Year 2019, five NASA Centers used enhanced use leasing resulting in a total of over $10 million in net revenue for the agency. Congress first granted NASA authority to demonstrate enhanced use leasing at two NASA Field Centers as part the Fiscal Year 2003 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution. The Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act expanded the authority to agency-wide use. Since then, the authority has been amended in 2008, and further amended in 2012 to allow NASA to accept in-kind considerations for leases for the purpose of developing renewable energy production facilities. The most recent extension of EUL authority was in the Fiscal Year 2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, where the authority was extended for 2 years, until December 31, 2021, the end of this year. The bill we are considering today provides a clean ten-year extension until December 31, 2031. This longer term extension provides consistency and certainty to NASA and tenants, allowing NASA to continue existing EUL arrangements and make progress on developing new arrangements that are currently underway. Enhanced use leasing is an important, well-used authority that benefits NASA and the many institutions that enter into EUL leases. We must act now to extend it. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote yes and pass H.R. 5746, the bipartisan ``NASA Enhanced Use Lease Extension Act of 2021.''

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the underlying bill, the Build Back Better Act, and in favor of this rule. As chairperson of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and a Member of this body, I am steadfastly committed to ensuring that our country has a bright future. This bill provides the resources to help accomplish just that. The underlying bill we will pass, hopefully tonight, will make critical investments that ensure that we are able to address the challenges we face. These resources will help us address the climate crisis, rebuild after the pandemic, and renew and repair our research infrastructure. This bill and funding will strengthen our competitiveness and bolster our position as a global leader in science and technology. I thank my colleagues for their work on this bill. Investments in research and development now will pay untold dividends for the future health and prosperity of our country. I am proud to stand in support of the Build Back Better plan, and I urge that we pass this bill swiftly, as soon as we can pass this rule, and thoughtfully for the good of the American people today as well as future generations who will benefit from these investments.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my good friend and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Beatty, for hosting this Special Order Hour and to Congresswoman Jackson Lee and Congressman Torres for anchoring it. Mr. Speaker, this is a consequential moment in our nation's history. On the tail end of a once-in-a-century pandemic--one that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, record unemployment rates, and that has left our economy counting the costs--we are in desperate need of substantive relief in all aspects of our society. We need bold action, from bold leadership, in order to deliver bold results--and that's what we have in President Biden's Build Back Better agenda. This agenda is a real opportunity to make historic, transformative investments in projects and programs that are supported by an overwhelming majority of the American people. As a Senior Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I fought to include several provisions in this agenda through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act that would greatly benefit communities not only in my district, but across the country. These include funding for a program that provides federal dollars to reconnect and revitalize communities historically harmed and marginalized by the construction of the Interstate Highway System; language to ensure prompt payment and sufficient payments to minority and disadvantaged subcontractors; and legislation to establish an electric grid resilience program for states like Texas to weatherize their power grids. Each of these measures--though different in nature and purpose--will collectively contribute to the rebuilding of our economy by creating more good-paying, equitable job opportunities. And as Chairwoman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I am steadfastly committed to strengthening our nation's research and innovation capabilities through the Build Back Better Act--both to ensure our continued international competitiveness and the wellbeing of our citizens here at home. I believe that investments in research and development now will pay untold dividends for the future health and prosperity of our nation, which is why we put resources in this bill that will help us address the climate crisis, rebuild after this pandemic, promote innovation, and renew and repair our research infrastructure. It also makes an unprecedented investment in the National Science Foundation, tapping into the diverse talent and institutions from across our nation. We need a STEM workforce that represents the rich diversity of America--because we cannot continue to lead in science and technology if we do not tap into all the brainpower our nation has to offer. To make sure of this, we included a provision that provides resources to support research capacity building at our nation's minority-serving institutions and invests in research, scholarships, and fellowships across all STEM disciplines. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus has been and will continue to be at the forefront of these negotiations. Fifty-seven members--and six committee chairs--strong, our presence at the table, on behalf of our diverse constituencies, remains steadfast and will ultimately serve as the driving force behind our work For the People.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I want to associate my remarks with the gentleman who just finished. I rise in support of this bill. Among the many critical measures included are ones that support extreme weather resiliency, public transit, as well as provide funding for highway construction and clean energy. If each of us had written this bill, we would have had that many bills before us. It is not a perfect bill, but I would ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes.''

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment. International students and researchers provide enormous benefits for American competitiveness and prosperity. As of 2018, immigrants founded 50 of the 91 privately held billion-dollar startup tech companies in the United States. A quarter of those founders came to the U.S. as international students. These companies created an average of 1,200 jobs each, and have a collective value of $250 billion. International students and researchers bring fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, expertise, energy, and creativity to the U.S. research enterprise. The global competition to attract top science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical talent is intensifying. And attracting talent is just half the battle. Restrictive immigration policies and xenophobic rhetoric, restrictions due to the pandemic, and concerted efforts by other countries to attract talent, have given talented international STEM students good reason to consider opportunities outside of the U.S. We must take bold action now to ensure the U.S. can continue to attract and retain global STEM talent. This amendment creates a new pathway to permanent residency for a small number of outstanding students and professionals engaged in critical fields that are vital to achieving the goals of the National Defense Strategy and National Defense Science and Technology Strategy. While modest in scope, the amendment would help advance areas of innovation that are critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, 20 years ago, our country was shaken to its core during the terrorist attacks of September 11th. 9/11 was an attack on the very idea of America--on our freedoms, on our beliefs, and on our very way life. The response required courage, strength, and a sense of togetherness, and President Bush displayed that by going to a Mosque after these attacks as a message of peace and tolerance. Sadly, these attacks also led to a new type of terror for thousands of Arabs, South Asians, Muslims, Sikhs, and individuals from other regions and religions. These individuals were targeted by violence and hatred because they were Muslim, or perceived to be Muslim. Twenty years ago, shortly after the attacks, a gas station in my district was the site of one of these hate crimes. A white supremacist walked into a Texaco Gas Station in Pleasant Grove, asked the clerk where he was from, and shot him in the face. Rais Bhuiyan survived the attack but was left sightless in one eye. Unlike his attacker, Mr. Bhuiyan showed courage following the attack. He forgave his attacker and did all he could to prevent his execution, he even sued the state of Texas to prevent the loss of another life. While we remember our friends, family, and neighbors who lost their lives on 9/11, we must also not forget the victims of hate crimes that also resulted from that attack. This is why I introduced a resolution yesterday recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and honoring the victims of the hate crimes that followed. If we ever want to live in a world without hate, we must show tolerance, courage, and understanding rather than blind discrimination. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these victims so that we can look forward to a more peaceful and tolerant world.