Frank Lucas

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. In closing, I again want to thank Chairwoman Johnson, Representative McAdams, Representative Baird, and their staff for working with me on this bill. I am grateful to my colleagues for helping me move this forward in a bipartisan way. I want rural students to have every opportunity to compete and contribute STEM skills both to their communities and to the national workforce. The Rural STEM Education Act gives teachers better tools to teach science and math, leverages local resources to engage students in key subjects, and addresses the lack of broadband access in rural communities. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4990, the Election Technology Research Act of 2020. I am proud to join Representatives Sherrill and Gonzalez and Chairwoman Johnson as an original cosponsor of this bill. The security and integrity of elections is fundamental to American democracy and should not be a partisan issue. To that end, this bipartisan bill takes necessary and appropriate steps to update research activities at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to promote the security and the modernization of U.S. voting systems. The bill also establishes an election systems center of excellence at NIST to foster collaborations between NIST, universities, and State and local election officials to address election security challenges. The U.S. Constitution vests the responsibility of administering elections with State and local governments, and we in Congress should respect the boundaries of this well-established system of federalism. However, the Federal Government has an important role to play in providing guidance and assistance to States on election systems. The Federal Government can and should work closely with States and local government officials to deal with foreign and domestic cyber threats. This bill provides the research tools to do just that, and it does so without imposing costly or burdensome mandates on States. Instead, this bill leverages an established system to provide voluntary guidelines to State and local election officials to use as they see fit. I appreciate Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working with us to produce a good, bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gonzalez).

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), a fellow ranking member on a full committee and always an insightful individual.

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Chairwoman Johnson, Chairwoman Sherrill, and Representative Anthony Gonzalez for working together in a bipartisan manner to produce measured legislation that will help secure and modernize America's voting systems. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise not only in opposition to this bill but to the entire process of writing it. We are in the middle of a pandemic, the likes of which we haven't seen for over a century. If there was ever a time for Congress to set aside partisanship and work together to create thoughtful legislation, it is now. Yet, here we are, debating a $1.5 trillion Green New Deal wish list instead of a smart infrastructure bill. That is a problem because we need solid infrastructure to transport goods and materials to stay economically competitive. China has listed transportation R&D as one of the target areas to surpass the U.S. We are letting them take the lead. That is what happens when you draft legislation without consulting the minority or even the committees of jurisdiction over a bill. The Science Committee worked together to produce a bipartisan research title, but it was never even considered as part of this legislation. Furthermore, provisions relating to aviation R&D and space were airdropped into the package without consulting us. This process has shut out Members of both parties. It is no wonder this bill is flawed. What is more, when combined with the last bill, Democrats have proposed $4.5 trillion in partisan spending, yet they haven't addressed one single area of the most important things that we need to do to fight COVID-19 and fuel America's economic growth: investing in scientific research. I have introduced a bill to double spending on basic research and keep us at the forefront of scientific development. I have also cosponsored the bipartisan RISE Act to restart American research. Taken together, these bills will turn the engine of American research back on and fuel a long-term plan for our success. That is the kind of legislation we should be considering today, bipartisan bills that provide immediate relief and long-term strategy. This is a missed opportunity and no way to run a railroad. Our country needs smart policies, not empty performances right now. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill so we can go back to the drawing board and do it right. Americans deserve no less.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor this legislation led by Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Michael Waltz, which continues the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's bipartisan work to support, encourage, and develop the next generation of America's science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science workforce. Minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges and universities have a long record of success in recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented students in STEM fields. In my own district, I have seen the unique value of minority-serving institutions. For more than 100 years, Langston University, a historically Black college and land-grant institution, has educated students of all backgrounds. They have influenced people's lives beyond the classroom in service to the community in both rural and urban Oklahoma. This legislation will help schools like Langston prepare their students to fill the STEM jobs of the 21st century. Since 1990, employment in STEM occupations has grown by nearly 80 percent. Over the next decade, with demand continuing to grow and U.S. universities expected to produce only less than one-third of the STEM graduates needed, the STEM shortage is anticipated to reach 1 million professionals. At the same time, minorities are severely underrepresented in STEM fields, only accounting for 11 percent of the STEM workforce. To meet this growing demand, talent from all groups is essential. The Trump administration has also recognized this need by calling for an increase of diversity, equality, and inclusion in Federal STEM programs in its recent 5-year STEM strategic plan. This bill that we are considering today takes steps to meet the administration's call to action by providing for increased transparency, accountability, and accessibility of Federal STEM education and research funds for MSIs. Without a diverse talent pool of Americans with strong STEM knowledge and skills prepared for the jobs of the future, the U.S. will not be able to maintain the innovation that supports key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and defense. I, again, thank Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Waltz for their leadership. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz).

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The United States is in a race to remain the world leader in science and technology. The only way we will win is by utilizing America's most valuable resource, our people. This means developing a diverse, STEM- capable workforce at every educational level and from every background. Creating opportunities for students to not only develop STEM knowledge but also to have hands-on experience is essential. Research shows that students, especially those from underrepresented minority backgrounds, are more likely to graduate from science and engineering programs if they have opportunities to engage in STEM course content with peers, participate in undergraduate research, and join science clubs and organizations. This bill will support such STEM education and training activities at MSIs, providing these students with the skills necessary to develop and flourish in the 21st century. These investments will help grow our workforce, improve our economy, and protect our country. I, again, would like to thank Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Waltz for their leadership, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4373, the Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2019. I was proud to join Chairwoman Johnson, as well as Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner and Zoe Lofgren, in introducing this bill. The U.S. was a key driver in biological innovation in the 20th century, but there is increasing global competition. Other countries recognize the benefits of biotech technology and are striving to capture its potential through new investments and friendly regulations. H.R. 4373 promotes a national research strategy around engineering biology to ensure that the U.S. remains the global leader in biology and biotechnology. New gene editing techniques like CRISPR and the advancement of rapid gene sequencing are driving innovation in agriculture, medicine, energy, and manufacturing. We must keep pace and set a research and regulatory framework that supports innovation and creates a marketplace for new ideas and projects, while setting the safety and ethical standards for the world to follow. H.R. 4373 establishes a national engineering biology research and development initiative to provide interagency research coordination and develop a 3-year strategic plan. The bill also authorizes research at the agencies under the Science Committee's jurisdiction, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy. Last month, the White House convened a summit with the Nation's foremost bioeconomy leaders from industry, academia, and government to discuss how to maintain America's leadership in biology for our economic and national security. I hope that summit, along with this legislation, will build momentum for a serious national public-private effort to advance and protect the U.S. bioeconomy. I urge my colleagues to support this good, bipartisan bill. I would note to the chairwoman that I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In both the Agriculture Committee and the Science Committee, we have discussed biotechnology research and regulation for years, but I can't remember a more exciting or challenging time for the field than today. H.R. 4373 will set a national agenda to advance innovation and help us meet those challenges. I appreciate the chairwoman and her staff for working with us and the biology stakeholder community to produce a good, bipartisan bill. I ask my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2051, the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2019. H.R. 2051 provides for Federal coordination of research and development for new innovations in chemistry, manufacturing, and materials. This bill continues the Science Committee's bipartisan commitment to prioritizing fundamental research that leads to new technologies that will drive the American economy into the future. Chemistry is essential to our economy and plays a vital role in helping solve the biggest challenges facing the Nation and our world. From farming to medicine, chemical manufacturing touches our lives every day. There is market demand for chemical products that use resources more efficiently and are safer for both humans and the environment. Consumers also want these products to be just as effective, or more effective, than the traditional chemical products. H.R. 2051 will help support the research, training, and standards needed to meet these demands. It is rare that a bill has the fundamental endorsement of both chemical companies and environmental advocates. I thank the bill's sponsors, Representative Dan Lipinski and Representative John Moolenaar, for their leadership on this issue and for developing a good consensus bill. I encourage my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), who has been a pleasure to work with, both on scientific matters and on a variety of financial service interests, too.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, to ensure the continued leadership of the United States in science and technology, we must invest in research that will lead to the industries of the future. The Sustainable Chemistry Act of 2019 will keep our country at the forefront of chemistry innovation and help create new products that will benefit all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2051, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. How appropriate that today the House is taking up S. 737, the Building Blocks of STEM Act, just as the Nation kicks off a celebration of Computer Science Education Week. S. 737, the Building Blocks of STEM Act, is important, bipartisan legislation to improve science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science, or STEM, education. It directs the National Science Foundation to support STEM research focused on early childhood education and to award grants to encourage young girls to pursue computer science learning. Studies have found that children who engage in scientific activities from an early age develop positive attitudes toward science and are more likely to pursue STEM expertise and careers. Across the country, the share of STEM jobs has expanded significantly, with STEM employment nearly doubling over the last 30 years. Currently, there are over half a million open computing jobs in the United States, in every industry and in every State. This demand is projected to grow at twice the rate of any other field, and America is failing to meet it. We can succeed, though, and we can do it by encouraging children, particularly young girls, in STEM in early childhood and sustaining that interest as they grow. More students with STEM degrees means more advanced American technologies and a more robust economy. But it is not just about the economy. STEM graduates have the potential to develop technologies that can save thousands of lives, jump-start a new industry, or even discover new worlds. It has been shown that female students who learn computer science before college are 10 times more likely to major in it. By supporting more hands-on STEM engagement at younger ages, we are supporting and investing in America's future. I thank Representative Baird and Representative Stevens for their leadership on this bill. The House previously passed this legislation in July and sent it to the Senate for consideration. We are considering it again today with some minor changes from our Senate colleagues. I encourage my colleagues to again support this legislation and send it to the President's desk for his signature. Mr. Speaker, the love of learning starts young, and the Building Blocks of STEM bill promotes this by prioritizing a focus on early childhood STEM education. It gives us the opportunity to encourage girls to get involved and stay engaged in STEM, helping us improve our educational programs and diversify the STEM workforce. Again, I thank Representative Baird and Representative Stevens for leading this bipartisan bill. As the House did in July, I encourage this body to again support and unanimously pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk for his signature. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4355, the Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial Networks Act introduced by Representative Anthony Gonzalez. This bill addresses the underlying technologies for digital content commonly referred to as ``deepfakes.'' This technology uses machine learning to manipulate videos and other digital content to produce misleading and false products. These technologies are becoming more sophisticated and, in the wrong hands, present a serious security threat. As we know, bad actors are already using disinformation to disrupt civil society and try to sow divisions among Americans. H.R. 4355 supports the fundamental research necessary to better understand the underlying technology, to develop tools to identify manipulated content, and to better understand how humans interact with this generated content. The bill also tasks the National Institute of Standards and Technology with bringing together the private sector and government agencies to discuss how to advance innovation in this area responsibly. I applaud Mr. Gonzalez' bipartisan work on this bill and his leadership on the issue of technology and security. I thank the chairwoman and her staff for moving H.R. 4355 forward. There is a lot of fundamental research that needs to be done to better understand the technologies driving deepfakes and their impact on society. H.R. 4355 will help support that research. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to ask my colleagues to reject the rule that would enable a vote later this week on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. Many of you will say: ``Why, Frank, of all people, would you come to the floor to ask for the rejection of the rule and the underlying bill?'' The reason they would ask that is because no one has worked harder than I have, in my career here, to make sure that this economic tool is available to American businesses. No one has struggled harder than I have to make sure that those individuals who make their living in the industries that use the Bank are able to continue to do that. No one has worked harder. The last time this bill was reauthorized, I sat in the majority. My leadership at that time was opposed to the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. My colleague from Tennessee and I used a procedure from the beginning of the previous century to discharge a clean version of the bill, to bring it to the floor, to pass it, and, ultimately, for it to be passed by the Senate and signed by the President. So there is no one who appreciates more than I do the importance of this bill. So, why am I here? I had a couple of amendments offered in the Rules Committee. I know some of my colleagues have said: ``Frank, why didn't you offer those amendments in the markup of the bill?'' Well, Mr. Speaker, I have been around here long enough, and I have been in this great life that we live long enough, to understand there are some fundamental rules. My ranking member and my chairman on that committee engaged in one of the most splendid, intense, philosophical battles over reauthorizing this bill that you will ever see. They fought hard over every principle. They had proponents on both sides of the committee trying to drive the bill further to the left and, simultaneously, further to the right. That is a difficult set of issues to balance out. You say: ``Well, Frank, why weren't you engaged?'' There is an old country logic that goes something like this: When your neighbor's bull jumps into your pasture, or when two of your bulls get in the same pasture together and engage in a fight and get mad and get hot and try to fight to the death, you don't get between them because they will kill you. They will kill you. My perspective was, let the committee do its will, but on the floor of this United States House, let's offer alternatives. You say: ``What were your amendments that were rejected that would have made a difference?'' Amendment No. 17 simply reflected what the White House had said: Send us a clean 10-year reauthorization. Clean, 10 years. Straightforward, understandable, logical. But being the practical fellow I am, I offered amendment No. 18. What did No. 18 say? Basically, it was the most popular bill in the United States Senate at this time to reauthorize the institution: a 10-year reauthorization, raise the capitalization level to $175 billion, and address the quorum requirement.

Mr. LUCAS. Either amendment, I believe, would have passed the floor. One amendment would have assured us a signature immediately. The second amendment would have assured us, I believe, passage in the Senate. But the forces fought themselves to exhaustion. I came, as I had before, to appeal to this body as a whole. I was denied that opportunity. So, yes, I am voting against the rule. I will vote against the bill because, you see, somebody that matters greatly on the other side of this campus said this bill will never be heard over there, will never be heard. I am here to make things happen, working with you. I am here working on behalf of our constituents, working with you. That is what I tried. Reject the rule. Force this back to the Rules Committee. Give me a second chance. Give me a second chance. But you have to vote ``no'' on the rule. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for the opportunity to express my concerns.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2528, the STEM Opportunities Act of 2019. As a cosponsor of the legislation with Chairwoman Johnson, I am pleased the House is taking this up for consideration today. H.R. 2528 continues the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's long history of bipartisan support for STEM education. The United States is in a race to remain the world's leader in science and technology. The only way we will win is by utilizing America's most valuable resources--our people. This means developing a diverse, STEM-capable workforce at every education level and from every background. The administration has recognized this need, and the President's 5- year STEM strategic plan specifically calls for an increase of diversity, equality, and inclusion in STEM programs. This legislation supports and builds upon that plan, authorizing activities at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation. The U.S. invests over $1 billion a year in Federal STEM education programs, but we have not made enough progress in growing a STEM- capable workforce. One of the key provisions of H.R. 2528 is a requirement for more comprehensive data collection and analysis on the students, researchers, and faculty receiving Federal science grants. This data will help us identify and reduce the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from entering and advancing in STEM. It will also help us measure the success of Federal STEM programs. The bill also includes a provision directing NSF to support computer science education through the existing Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. Access to computer science resources and the development of computing skills is critical in today's economy. STEM employment in the U.S. continues to grow faster than any other sector. Employers in all sectors, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and defense, are desperate for workers with STEM skills. In order to meet this demand, the development of talent from all groups is essential. H.R. 2528 takes important steps to ensure we are fully engaging America's entire talent pool and maintaining our global leadership in science and technology. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. First, let me take a moment to note that the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico will indeed be missed on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology--and I think I can say this about the beloved chair--is a committee that still reflects many of the traditions of this House: working together for the common good, trying to drive this great Nation and all of our good citizens forward. So, hopefully, at some future time, the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico will have the opportunity to come rejoin us, and I look forward to that very day. That said, in my closing remarks, I would like to thank Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working in a bipartisan fashion on this legislation and for incorporating our feedback and ideas. I look forward to continuing to work with her to advance STEM education efforts in this Congress that will support, encourage, and develop the next generation of STEM workers. Maintaining our global leadership in science and technology is critical to our economic and national security. We will not be able to lead without a STEM-capable workforce for the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2528, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Mast's bill, H.R. 335, the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2019. This bill tasks the interagency task force on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to provide an integrated assessment on the causes and consequences of HABs, along with potential mitigation options in south Florida. Additionally, the task force will look at the current status of research and identify gaps in research, monitoring, and management efforts. This will lead to the development of an action plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling HABs and hypoxia. Although this bill is focused on the south Florida region, these harmful algal blooms have become an environmental problem in all 50 States, even in the freshwater of landlocked States like Oklahoma. With the passage of this legislation, we will gain more knowledge of the dangers associated with HABs as well as potential mitigation strategies that could be applied to every State and region. I want to thank Representative Mast and Representative Waltz for encouraging this interagency collaboration to conduct research that will protect our environment and health. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast), who has worked so diligently on this bill.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz), a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee who also is very focused on these issues.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.