Lamar Smith

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock), who is a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and is the chairwoman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, just briefly, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for working with us so well on so many bills for almost 2 years. I think he has been as active on the legislation as any other member of the committee, and as he pointed out or suggested, most of the bills that we passed under the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's jurisdiction are, in fact, bipartisan bills; and he has, as often as not, been an important player in the passage of those pieces of legislation. Mr. Speaker, there are no other requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock), the chairwoman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, for yielding me time to speak on her legislation. The bill, H.R. 6229, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Reauthorization Act of 2018, is an important bill that has been worked on both by Chairwoman Comstock and the gentleman from Illinois, Subcommittee Ranking Member Dan Lipinski, and I appreciate their taking the initiative on this legislation. This bipartisan bill was unanimously approved by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee in June. It authorizes NIST's research and technology programs for 2 years. The NIST Reauthorization Act ensures that the research and development conducted by NIST keeps the United States on the cutting edge of global technological capabilities. NIST is one of the Nation's oldest physical science laboratories. The technology, standards, and measurements provided by NIST support U.S. competitiveness in key industries, including manufacturing, nanomaterials, computing, communications, and cybersecurity. These have real-world applications. Through basic research, NIST sets standards and facilitates the implementation and use of technologies that impact the lives of our constituents every day. Examples include providing the precise official time for the United States that we see on our computers and smartphones, to the thresholds for the smoke detectors that protect our families and homes. For instance, NIST research and standards have improved the self- contained breathing apparatuses worn by more than a million American firefighters. NIST also provides modeling techniques that allow scientists to develop and test cancer therapies using active viruses that cannot be studied using standard practices. And NIST's Smart Grid work is improving the reliability and capability of our electric grid. These are just a handful of examples that illustrate why NIST's scientific and technical research and services are critical to American innovation and industrial competitiveness. Chairwoman Comstock's bill significantly increases NIST's research to facilitate commercial use of emerging technologies. Specifically, this legislation increases the core NIST laboratories account by $125 million to transform more basic and early stage research into usable innovations and new technologies. It accelerates basic quantum information science research and standards development, and provides funds to address fundamental research gaps, enabling the U.S. to take the lead in developing quantum standards and measurements. Chairwoman Comstock's bill allows NIST to expand its fundamental and applied cybersecurity research to address key questions relating to privacy, security, and vulnerability of software tools and communications networks. It expands the research infrastructure and scientific staff needed to develop the Institute's capabilities in artificial intelligence and data science, including rigorous scientific testing to support the development of trustworthy AI systems. It further directs NIST to expand its composites research and standards development to facilitate the adoption of composite technology in American infrastructure. Finally, the legislation encourages NIST to continue to examine the Internet of Things and address measurement and security challenges created by the convergence of digital technologies with the physical world. By supporting this bill, Congress ensures continued U.S. innovation leadership in quantum science, artificial intelligence, big data science, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and resilient infrastructure. We can thank Chairwoman Comstock for her work on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6229 and the critical work done by NIST.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from South Carolina, Congressman Ralph Norman, for yielding me this time to speak in support of his bill, H.R. 6398, the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act. I also want to say, I appreciate his serving as vice chairman of the Environment Subcommittee on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This important legislation was approved unanimously by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and is cosponsored by 15 members of the committee. H.R. 6398 authorizes the Department of Energy to conduct collaborative research with the Department of Veterans Affairs to address complex challenges in veterans' healthcare by using advanced computational tools. Currently, DOE and the VA collaborate through the MVP-CHAMPION initiative. The VA collects genomic and healthcare data from veterans who have volunteered for the program and then securely transfers it to DOE, where it is stored and analyzed in a secure site at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This partnership and exchange of data benefits both DOE and the VA and provides valuable services to our veterans. DOE is the Nation's largest Federal supporter of basic research in the physical sciences. It funds programs in applied mathematics and computer and computational science. Under this program, authorized by Mr. Norman's bill, VA researchers gain access to DOE's high performance computing research facilities and significant resources, including DOE's extensive expertise in data analysis and complex modeling. This could help the VA make discoveries about the causes and warning signs of various diseases. It will also speed up care for veterans' critical medical needs and help the VA develop more effective treatments in the future. 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. These are capabilities that are critical to maintaining U.S. science and technology leadership. H.R. 6398 also authorizes a 2-year research pilot program to advance basic research in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and computational science. This pilot program supports DOE's efforts to improve the application of advanced data analysis techniques to big data challenges. Congressman Norman's DOE Veterans' Health Initiative Act promotes improved healthcare for American servicemen and -women. It facilitates more high-yielding DOE collaborations, maximizes resources, and gives other Federal agencies, academia, and industry the opportunity to benefit from the Energy Department's R&D expertise. We can thank Representatives Ralph Norman and Neal Dunn for championing collaboration and basic research to support our veterans and American innovation. I also want to thank Chairman Roe of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for his help and cooperation in bringing this bill before the House this evening. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will support this bill.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6227) to provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum research and development for the economic and national security of the United States, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 6227, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Act is cosponsored by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as 24 other committee members. The bill has earned widespread support and was unanimously approved by the committee on June 27. Before I explain what the bill does, I would like to explain why it matters so much. In our lifetime, we have seen remarkable advances in the size and speed of our computers. Most of us carry phones in our pockets that are several thousand times more powerful than all the combined computing power available to NASA during the Apollo missions. Yet, as impressive as these advances have been, quantum computing has the power to affect an even more dramatic transformation of our society and worldwide technology. Computers today rely on tiny on-off switches within a processing chip. Technological advances have made possible supercomputers that can perform series of on-off operations at astonishing speeds. But classical computing technology is nearing its limits. Each switch can only operate in one of two positions, off or on, zero or one. Quantum computing is different. Rather than on-off switches, quantum computers rely on qubits. These are subatomic particles that can be both on and off at the same time. This enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations at speeds that are potentially millions of times faster than today's most advanced supercomputers. Countries that harness the power of quantum computing will be able to revolutionize cybersecurity, healthcare, communications, financial services, and transportation, just to name a few of the industries. The flip side of this is that quantum computing will make traditional IT security programs obsolete. The nation that develops quantum communications technology first may be able to decode, in a matter of seconds, other countries' sensitive national security information, proprietary technologies, and personal information. Other countries are investing billions of dollars in new research facilities and equipment for quantum computing. China has publicly stated a national goal of surpassing the U.S. during the next decade. That is why it is imperative that we act now to develop a national quantum strategy and preserve America's dominance in the scientific world. The National Quantum Initiative Act achieves this by creating a 10- year Federal program to accelerate quantum research and development in the United States. The bill leverages the expertise and resources of U.S. industry, academia, and government to move quantum information science to the next level of research and development. The legislation enables a National Quantum Coordination Office within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This office will oversee interagency coordination and strategic planning, serve as a central point of contact for stakeholders, conduct research, and promote commercialization of Federal research by the private sector. The bill also supports basic research, education, and standards development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy. Madam Speaker, $225 million a year of these agencies' baseline funding will now be directed to new quantum research centers and laboratory research. Their activities will address fundamental research gaps, create a stronger workforce, and develop revolutionary knowledge and transformative innovations to give U.S. companies and workers an enduring competitive advantage. The bill ensures that U.S. high-tech companies, which are investing heavily in quantum research, and a surge of quantum technology startups will contribute their knowledge and resources to a national effort. H.R. 6227 was developed with input from industry, academia, national laboratories, Federal agencies, and the administration. It was an open and bipartisan process. The input of those stakeholders has yielded a strong consensus bill. Additionally, Senator Thune and Senator Nelson, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, have introduced a companion bill in the Senate. With bipartisan, bicameral support and the backing of the administration, I believe this bill could become law by the end of the year. Let's take action to spur America's quantum development. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for those nice comments. And she is right, this was a very bipartisan effort and a very bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), who is also the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who has been a longtime and active member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and also the former vice chairman of the committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hultgren), who is one of the few members of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to actually be a member of three subcommittees. He is a member of the Energy Subcommittee, the Research and Technology Subcommittee, and the Space Subcommittee, and we appreciate his active service on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests for time either, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 589) to establish Department of Energy policy for science and energy research and development programs, and reform National Laboratory management and technology transfer programs, and for other purposes.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 589, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 589, the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act, is the product of more than 4 years of work by the Science Committee to advance basic research in science and technology and set clear science priorities for the Department of Energy. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on the Science Committee who have sponsored this legislation with me, particularly Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, Vice Chairman Frank Lucas, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Steve Knight, and Energy Subcommittee members Dana Rohrabacher, Mo Brooks, Neal Dunn, Randy Hultgren, Marc Veasey, Zoe Lofgren, Dan Lipinski, and Paul Tonko, as well as full committee members Barbara Comstock, Brian Babin, Andy Biggs, Clay Higgins, Elizabeth Esty, and Ed Perlmutter. Six standalone Science Committee energy research bills from last Congress are included in this legislation. The DOE Research and Innovation Act prioritizes critical basic research and science at the DOE national labs. It provides the first comprehensive authorization for Office of Science programs, which conduct and support more than $6 billion in research each year. This legislation also requires DOE to coordinate research across the Department. It provides private industry with increased access to the unique user facilities and capabilities of the national labs that will help to develop advanced technologies for the next generation. Title I of H.R. 589 improves the technology transfer process between DOE and private industry. The innovative early stage research performed at the national labs can have great value to the private sector. While the labs consistently develop ideas and technology that have commercial potential, Federal red tape and bureaucracy discourage the cooperation needed for the private sector to take technologies to market. Title I enables national lab directors to better partner with industry and ensure that the United States can remain a world leader in science and technology. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois, Representative Randy Hultgren, and the gentleman from Colorado, Representative Ed Perlmutter, for their initiative on this issue and for sponsoring similar legislation in the last Congress to advance these important reforms at our national labs. Title II of the legislation requires DOE to better manage and coordinate research efforts at the Department of Energy. This title also requires DOE to provide a regular analysis of science and technology activities within the Department. This will identify key areas for collaboration across science and applied research programs, and allow the Secretary to identify programs that cost too much and could be better undertaken by the private sector. Title III establishes priorities and provides statutory direction for the basic research programs within the DOE's Office of Science. This includes research and basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, high-performance computing, nuclear physics, high-energy physics, and fusion energy science. These basic research programs are central to the mission of the Department. Investment in this research can lead to new scientific discoveries that will maintain U.S. leadership in technology and innovation. This title also authorizes basic research programs in solar fuels, electricity storage, exascale computing, and low-dose radiation. The House has previously passed Science Committee legislation by Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Knight and subcommittee member Hultgren to authorize these four key basic research programs. H.R. 589 represents a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to modernize and increase the productivity of the DOE national lab system, streamline DOE research programs, and prioritize the basic scientific research that will maintain American leadership in science. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), who is the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the Science Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), who is the vice chairman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the Science Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have further speakers, but I will yield to the ranking member if she has any speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), who is the vice chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for his comments and also for his initiatives on the subject of energy in so many ways. Several other bills that we are considering are a result of that initiative. Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, directs the Department of Energy to enable the American nuclear power industry to conduct civilian nuclear energy research and development that will advance our leadership in nuclear technology. While we are considering the Senate version of this bill today, I would like to credit the author of the original legislation, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, his primary cosponsors, and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson for their years of leadership on this issue. The originating Science, Space, and Technology Committee legislation was developed over 4 years of collaboration, including hearings, coordination with DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and countless meetings with stakeholders. Every effort has been made to ensure this legislation will provide the resources necessary to more effectively and efficiently develop the next generation of nuclear power. Advanced nuclear energy technology is the best way to make reliable, safe, and emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and developing world. The legislation authorizes the research facilities and infrastructure necessary to help development of new, advanced nuclear reactors here at home, maintaining American leadership in the global nuclear technology sector. This technological edge allows us to better influence global nonproliferation standards and prevent civilian nuclear energy technology from being misused for weapons development overseas. S. 97 directs DOE to develop plans for long-term research and authorizes critical infrastructure at the DOE national labs. This includes leveraging DOE state-of-the-art super computers to accelerate the theoretical development of advanced reactors. The bill also authorizes construction of a research reactor at a DOE site. This research reactor will provide access to the fast neutrons necessary to develop advanced nuclear reactors. By investing in research infrastructure, DOE can maximize the impact of Federal research dollars and facilitate the development of a wide variety of nuclear technologies. Finally, S. 97 creates a reliable mechanism for the private sector to partner with DOE labs to build DOE-certified prototype reactors at DOE sites. While the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has heard from dozens of companies with innovative reactor designs, the ability to move new nuclear technology to the market has been stalled by government approval and licensing red tape. S. 97 provides an alternative pathway for these nuclear entrepreneurs. The safe development of advanced nuclear technology at DOE sites will provide access to DOE resources and expertise, and fast track the commercial regulatory process by involving nuclear reactors at the earliest stages of prototype design and construction. Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free electricity for over half a century. By enacting this legislation and investing in the capabilities needed by the private sector to develop advanced reactors, we can build on the history of American leadership in nuclear power and reduce emissions around the world. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Weber and Ranking Member Johnson for their work on this bill, as well as our Senate colleagues, including Senator Mike Crapo, Senator Jim Risch, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Senator Cory Booker for leading the effort to pass this bill through the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support and clear this legislation for President Trump's approval.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, since 2004, the Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (Greehey CCRI) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has advanced scientific knowledge relevant to childhood cancer, contributed to the understanding of causes of childhood cancer, and accelerated the translation of knowledge into novel therapies. Through discovery, development, and dissemination of new scientific knowledge, Greehey CCRI strives to have a national and global impact on the problem of childhood cancer. Cancer biology, genomics, RNA metabolism and experimental therapeutics are among its many areas of strength in research. Additionally, Greehey CCRI is developing expertise in drug discovery, target identification and nano-technology driven delivery of small molecule and RNA therapeutics. Recently, Greehey CCRI partnered with the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson to become a member of The Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium (POETIC). Their studies focus on the biological basis for anti-cancer therapy, and discover and evaluate new agents and novel combinations of therapies early in clinical development. The educational mission of the Greehey CCRI is to train the next generation of researchers in pediatric cancer research. This includes creating a pipeline of trainees through their program for undergraduates engaged in summer research, medical students within the MD with Distinction in Research program, fellows in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education--approved hematology-oncology fellowship program, as well as the traditional graduate programs in Cancer Biology and other relevant areas. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the critical research done by organizations like the Greehey CCRI.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam) for yielding me time, and I thank another gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for introducing this legislation. The Equitable Access to Care and Health Act is a bill that I strongly support. It expands the religious conscience exemption in the Affordable Care Act. The bipartisan legislation has broad support in the House and in the Senate. It has passed the House by voice vote in the last two Congresses. The ACA currently provides for a religious conscience exemption, but the exemption is unduly narrow and applies only to a few faiths. This exemption should be expanded to accommodate other religions whose sincerely-held religious beliefs could cause them not to purchase healthcare insurance. With the recent repeal of the individual mandate, the CBO now estimates that the bill will result in about $30 million in cost savings. I hope my colleagues will support this piece of legislation. It will help advance the cause of religious freedom.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to immigration policies, a recent poll shows that the American people are far closer to President Trump than to the liberal media. The results of a Harvard- Harris poll by Mark Penn, a former Hillary Clinton strategist, came up with surprising results, considering what we have heard from the media. When asked, ``Do you think that people who make it across the border illegally should be allowed to stay in the country or sent home?'' 64 percent said they should be sent home. When asked, ``Do you think we need stricter or looser enforcement of our immigration laws?'' 70 percent said stricter; 60 percent support building a combination of a physical and electronic barrier across the U.S.-Mexico border. When asked about sanctuary cities, 84 percent of respondents said that cities should be required to notify immigration authorities about taking custody of deportable immigrants, and 69 percent said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency should not be abolished. The administration's immigration policies do reflect Americans' views.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Gallup recently polled Americans on their perceptions of bias, inaccuracy, and misinformation in news reporting. Their survey found: Sixty-two percent said the news they read in newspapers, see on television, or hear on the radio is biased; Forty-four percent believe the news they read in newspapers, see on television, or hear on the radio is inaccurate; More than a third described the news they see on these channels as misinformation--false or inaccurate information that is presented as if it were true. In other words, fake news. The same poll found 8 out of 10 adults feel angry or bothered by seeing biased information. It is obvious that the news media have abandoned objective, fact- based reporting and are instead promoting a liberal agenda. Their news reports only tell one side of the story: their side. Until the news media returns to objective reporting, Americans will continue to view them skeptically.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the vice chairman of the Space Subcommittee for yielding me time, and I appreciate all that Mr. Brooks, the gentleman from Alabama, has done for space exploration and for spaceflight. The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee has demonstrated time and again that U.S. leadership in space is a bipartisan priority. The scientists, engineers, and technicians at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have, for more than half a century, led the world in the development of rocket propulsion. H.R. 5345, the American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry Act, recognizes the impressive accomplishments of Marshall as well as vital, ongoing work they continue to do to ensure continued American leadership in space technology and rocketry capabilities. As our future in space looks bolder, bigger, and brighter, I am confident that Marshall will continue to be a reliable, powerful, and dependable team player in moving this Nation forward. Mr. Speaker, Vice Chairman Brooks has always been a strong and effective advocate for space initiatives and Marshall Space Flight Center. I appreciate all he has done on the subject, and I very much appreciate his being such a leader on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.