Frank Lucas

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. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close, since I have no additional speakers. Mr. Speaker, simply put, H.R. 617 harnesses the power of DOE's supercomputers to revolutionize the way we care for America's veterans. I want to thank Representative Norman for his leadership on this bill. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Norman's bill, H.R. 617, the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act. This bill authorizes a critical and ongoing partnership between the Department of Energy and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the way we diagnose and care for our veterans. This partnership, known as the MVP-CHAMPION initiative, allows DOE to support the VA in analyzing healthcare data. H.R. 617 formally authorizes this program, allowing VA researchers to gain access to DOE's high-performance computing research facilities and significant resources, including DOE's extensive expertise in data analysis and complex modeling. The VA currently collects genomic and healthcare data, including the deepest levels of DNA sequencing that allows for high-quality genomic research, from veterans who have volunteered for the program. This data is then securely transferred to DOE, where it is stored and analyzed in a secure site at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This partnership and exchange of data benefits both DOE and the VA. The rich and expansive dataset provided by the VA presents an incredible opportunity to train DOE's next-generation computing capacities to solve complex challenges; and with what they learn from this analysis, the VA can improve and better target health treatments for veterans. This data can help the VA make discoveries about the causes of various diseases and develop diagnostics to move more quickly to detect them in our veterans. It will also help the VA develop more effective treatments and improve treatment for critical medical needs. In return, by giving DOE access to such a large database of information, the VA will help DOE researchers improve their ability to develop next-generation computing systems, algorithms, and models, capacities that are critical in maintaining U.S. science and technological leadership. These enhanced capacities can then be applied in support of DOE's core mission areas and has the potential to enhance expertise in everything from biosciences and material designs to maintaining our nuclear weapons stockpile. With the next generation of supercomputers right around the corner, most notably, the computing systems that DOE is expected to field in 2021, DOE will be able to tackle even bigger challenges after gaining expertise in solving big data problems like this. In short, the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act will improve the healthcare for those men and women who have served our country. It also maximizes our Federal resources for facilitating collaboration, and gives other agencies, academia, and industry the chance to benefit from the Department of Energy's R&D expertise. I want to thank Representative Norman for championing this important collaboration, along with the basic research that will support our veterans and American innovation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman).

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 36, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019. I am proud to say that this bill is a foundation of more than a year of investigation, analysis, and recommendations to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Curbing sexual misconduct in science is a priority that Chairwoman Johnson and I share. Engaging more women in STEM studies and careers is essential to American competitiveness. Women make up half the workforce, but account for less than 25 percent of America's STEM workforce. Unfortunately, too many women have been driven out of STEM careers due to a culture of harassment and abuse. H.R. 36 takes the first steps to address this problem. The bill directs the NSF to expand research efforts to better understand the causes and consequences of sexual harassment affecting individuals in the scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics workforce. Additionally, it directs the NSF to examine policies to reduce the prevalence and negative impact of such harassment. The bill also supports the adoption of uniform guidance across the Federal science agencies to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment involving grant personnel. There is an established legal process in place within higher education and in the workplace for handling claims of sexual harassment. I cannot stress this enough: This bill does not alter that process. What this bill does is to create a uniform policy for universities and research institutions to report to Federal science agencies when administrative action is taken that impacts the ability of a researcher to carry out a grant. Pervasive sexual harassment in the scientific community discourages women from critical work in good-paying jobs and hurts American competitiveness. It is unacceptable for taxpayer dollars to fund researchers who are guilty of harassing students or colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the stakeholders, especially the university community, for working with the committee staff to improve this legislation. I believe the revised bill strikes the right balance of protecting due process and privacy, while making sure that Federal science agencies can act if a Federal research grant or the personnel supported by that grant is impacted. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working in a bipartisan and collaborative way to move this legislation forward. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. H.R. 36 takes the first steps towards addressing the prevalence of sexual harassment in STEM fields, which is driving women out of STEM careers and damaging U.S. competitiveness. This legislation sends a strong message to the scientific community that misconduct will not be tolerated, and it sends a message to women who are in STEM studies and careers that we support them. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and stakeholders to advance this legislation and make sure it is meeting the intended goals. Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working in a bipartisan and collaborative way on this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, 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 H.R. 3196, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Designation Act. This bill honors the contributions of the late Dr. Vera Rubin, an astronomer who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of dark matter and contributed to the realization that the universe is more complex and more mysterious than was ever even imagined. I agree with Chairwoman Johnson that it is fitting that the House honor Dr. Rubin today on what would have been her 91st birthday. Dr. Rubin was a pioneer and lifelong advocate for women in science, serving as a mentor, supporter, and role model for many women astronomers. The new Large Synoptic Survey Telescope under construction in Chile, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, will photograph the entire sky every few nights. One of the goals of the project is to study the nature of dark matter and dark energy. I thank Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Gonzalez-Colon for their leadership and for working with stakeholders to update this legislation. Naming the observatory in honor of Dr. Rubin is a fitting tribute to her contributions to the field, and I hope it will inspire future generations of women in astronomy. This bill designates the new NSF and Department of Energy's LSST telescope facility the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Given her remarkable contributions to the field of dark matter and advocacy for the equal treatment and representation of women in science, it is only appropriate that we honor Dr. Rubin this way. I thank Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Gonzalez-Colon for their leadership in introducing this bill. It is my hope that this will ensure that Dr. Rubin's legacy lives on and continues to inspire young women to pursue careers in STEM. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, 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 am pleased to cosponsor H.R. 34, the Energy and Water Research Integration Act. This legislation is a product of bipartisan Science, Space, and Technology Committee efforts to improve our understanding of the critical relationship between the U.S. energy and water sectors. The production of energy is dependent on reliable sources of water, and the distribution of clean water is dependent on the availability of energy. No matter what the future U.S. energy market looks like, integrating these two systems is essential. But this is no simple task. Both water and energy management are often impacted by many regional challenges and resources and require careful consideration of local factors. For example, back home in Oklahoma, agriculture is the single largest driver of water consumption in the State. But that same agricultural industry also creates a source of energy through biofuels. Additionally, natural gas production, which is key to the development of a cleaner U.S. energy market, relies on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, processes which require large volumes of water. But these processes can also produce water, enabling reuse of this resource through fluid lifecycle management. The Energy and Water Research Integration Act will help prioritize research and development on this critical relationship between energy and water systems and will help American researchers develop tools and technologies to improve our Nation's energy efficiency, environmental stability, and economic growth. I am pleased to see the work that many Federal agencies, including the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, are already doing to improve the efficiency of our energy water systems, and to see the administration's clear prioritization of this work, including the multiagency Water Security Grand Challenge and the recently announced DOE Energy-Water Desalination Hub. But we, in Congress, must also do our part. Because of the complex relationship between energy and water systems, this will require a multidisciplinary approach. At every step of the R&D process there is a need to facilitate interactions between chemists, engineers, geologists, and legislators, and to encourage collaboration between the Federal Government, industry, universities, and local stakeholders. I believe this legislation, introduced by Chairwoman Johnson and myself, can help to streamline and prioritize this work. The programs authorized in this legislation will leverage the world-leading, early- stage research programs and unparalleled facilities at our national labs and enable the development of next-generation technologies that will improve the efficiency and production in both the energy and water sectors. I thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, particularly Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, for continuing to prioritize important research and development programs that will make America stronger, cleaner, and keep us globally competitive. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with my fellow Science, Space, and Technology Committee colleagues to guide this important and bipartisan work. H.R. 34 prioritizes critical research to help improve the way we use energy and water. I again want to thank Chairwoman Johnson for her leadership on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close. 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 and stay engaged in STEM, helping us to improve our educational programs and diversify the STEM workforce. I, again, thank Representative Baird and Representative Stevens for reintroducing this bipartisan bill. As the House did in 2015, I encourage this body to support and pass this legislation unanimously. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird).

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, research shows that early exposure to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science has positive impacts on a broad spectrum of student outcomes. For example, early math knowledge not only predicts later math success; it also predicts later reading achievement. Studies have also found that children who engage in scientific activities from an early age develop positive attitudes towards science and are more likely to pursue STEM expertise and careers. H.R. 1665, the Building Blocks of STEM Act, directs the National Science Foundation to support STEM education research focused on early childhood and to award grants to encourage young girls to pursue computer science learning. Across the country, the share of STEM jobs has expanded significantly, with STEM employment increasing from 9.7 million to 17.3 million from 1990 to 2018. Data suggests that this trend will continue, and the U.S. is struggling to meet that demand. To meet it, we must engage children-- particularly young girls--in STEM in early childhood and sustain that interest as they grow. More graduates 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 could save thousands of lives, jump-start a new industry, or even discover new worlds. By supporting more hands-on STEM engagement for younger ages, we are supporting and investing in America's future. In the 115th Congress, the House passed this legislation unanimously, and I hope it will do so again today. I want to thank Representative Baird and Representative Stevens for reintroducing this bipartisan bill and moving it forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 2397, the American Manufacturing Leadership Act. This legislation reauthorizes and amends the bipartisan Revitalize American Manufacturing Innovation Act of 2014. Nationally, manufacturing supports nearly 13 million American jobs, or roughly 9 percent of the workforce, and represents about 11 percent of the American economy. Most of these firms are small manufacturers, supporting local economies by providing well-paying jobs. Technology will continue to change this sector dramatically. Today's manufacturing floor looks far different from the assembly lines of the past, and the skills needed by manufacturing workers will continue to change. Innovative processes, such as additive manufacturing, are transforming the future of manufacturing. It is essential that these technologies are transferred to and adopted by all U.S. manufacturers so that we remain globally competitive and the number one destination for companies looking to carry out advanced manufacturing. With manufacturers in the United States performing 64 percent of all private sector R&D in the Nation, it is important that we capitalize on these investments and reauthorize the network of public-private partnerships established in this act, which bolster manufacturing innovation. This bill includes important reforms to better coordinate centers for manufacturing innovation funded by all relevant agencies and incorporates recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office to improve management. This bill also prioritizes manufacturing workforce development and outreach to small and medium-sized manufacturers. I thank Representative Stevens and Representative Balderson for introducing this legislation and for their work in ushering it through the Science Committee on a bipartisan basis. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. I would note to my colleague that I have no other speakers so, as I reserve my time, when the gentlewoman is prepared, I will close. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close. I rise again in support of H.R. 2397, the American Manufacturing Leadership Act. This bipartisan legislation takes important steps to reform the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014. It requires greater coordination among the centers for manufacturing innovation and incorporating GAO recommendations on the management of these centers. Most importantly, this bill prioritizes manufacturing workforce development and outreach to small- and medium-sized manufacturers. These public-private partnerships combine the technical knowledge base supported by our excellent universities and research institutions with innovation leadership supported by our private industries, both large and small. These centers provide the U.S. with the opportunity to lead the world in advanced manufacturing competitiveness. 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. H.R. 3153, the Expanding Findings for Federal Opioid Research and Treatment, or EFFORT, Act identifies gaps that exist in research of the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction and authorizes the National Science Foundation to support research grants in these areas. This legislation will help drive research to understand one of the most important issues facing our country: How do we stop the opioid addiction crisis? Congress must do all we can to combat opioid abuse and the continuing increase in opioid-related deaths. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and approximately 68 percent of those deaths involved opioids. With my home State of Oklahoma being one of the leading States in opioid prescriptions, I believe supporting programs intended to improve our understanding of the science of addiction and combat this crisis is just common sense. I thank Representative Jennifer Wexton and Representative Jim Baird for their bipartisan work on this bill. Opioid addiction affects too many in our communities, and I applaud this effort to support more basic research in the science of addiction. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all the Members of this body to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird).

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. I have no additional speakers. I rise again in support of H.R. 3153, the EFFORT Act. Opioid addiction knows no economic or political boundaries. It affects all of us. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Wexton and Representative Baird for their bipartisan leadership on this bill. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 377.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1921, the Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2019. This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Representative Derek Kilmer and Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, who can speak firsthand to how ocean acidification is harming the shellfish population off Washington State. H.R. 1921 would allow Federal science agencies to use existing funds to conduct prize competitions to increase our ability to research, monitor, and manage the impacts of ocean acidification. By creating incentives, the legislation recognizes the need to engage nonprofit groups, private citizens, and the academic community in the development of solutions to address this problem. Establishment of this competition will enable us to leverage the ingenuity and resourcefulness of these communities. Mr. Speaker, this bill represents an innovative approach to tackling this problem, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I note to my colleague that I have no additional speakers, and I reserve 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. 988, the National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Congressman Bill Posey. This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate a study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to examine the effects of ocean acidification on estuary environments, and to submit the report to Congress within 2 years. Specifically, this study would provide Congress a greater understanding of the biological and economic impacts of ocean acidification on inland marine environments beyond what is called for under current law. Estuaries are ecologically unique and economically important brackish water ecosystems that occur when inland rivers meet oceans. These areas possess unique biological characteristics and have not been the subject of studying the effects of ocean acidification to date. Mr. Speaker, we have heard about the need for additional study for ocean acidification during the debate on the previous bills. However, this legislation would further improve our knowledge of this topic by utilizing the expertise and resources of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Ocean Studies Board to gain a better understanding of the importance of this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey), the author of this outstanding piece of legislation and someone who has a tremendous working knowledge of all of these issues.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, 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 H.R. 1716, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2019. This bill simply directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a vulnerability assessment of the impacts of ocean acidification on coastal communities. This assessment would identify those communities most likely to be affected by ocean acidification in the coming years. Once these communities are identified, the assessment would examine the economic impacts of ocean acidification on these communities by directing Federal agencies to coordinate with local officials, community stakeholders, and local businesses. Once the assessment is complete, a corresponding report will be made publicly available and would be revised every 7 years. Our Nation's coastal communities are dependent on the health of our oceans. A 2014 NOAA study found there were 149,000 ocean-dependent businesses in the United States that employ more than 3 million people in industries such as seafood and tourism. Ocean acidification is a threat to the health and vitality of these communities, and this legislation is an important step to assist those communities most directly impacted by this phenomenon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.