Congresswoman Johnson Discusses The Future Of NASA, Space Exploration, and Research

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member of the House Committee On Science Space & Technology poses questions to witnesses during the Full Committee hearing titled: The Future of NASA: Perspectives on Strategic Vision for America's Space.

"Just looking at what has happened so far in space exploration and research. It is clear to me that where we are now came almost exclusively but certainly from space exploration and research. I believe that to stop and say that we simply can't afford it is  to say to our future, 'we won't be there, we won't be there for our young people, we won't be there for the inspiration, we are just going so take a back seat and watch the rest of the world'. We won't need to educate our young people if we aren't going to give some opportunity for participation. We have to make some real serious decisions. I don't think we can half step it. We have got to decide that we are going to invest in our future and eliminate the need for food stamps or whether we are going to continue to pay for more and more and more." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

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Congresswoman Johnson Discusses The Fiscal Cliff, The Pathway Forward For The President and the Republican's 'Plan B' On MSNBC

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined host Michael Eric Dyson on MSNBC's Martin Bashir show to react to Speaker Boehner's 'Plan B' and the looming fiscal cliff.

" This past year we have cut so much... until there is no longer a yes and no of what you would cut, we have cut to the bone and we now need to bring in some revenue."

" It is unconscionable to think that they (the Republicans) are willing to to throw all of the seniors over the cliff, the children, the poor, and the disabled, and yet give the richest tax breaks..."

" I will not give up standing up for the poorest people, our children, their food and education, and our disabled and our seniors." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

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Congresswoman Johnson & Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer "Deficit Solution Must Preserve The American Dream"

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson & Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer Co Authored an op-ed for Politico that provided sound reasoning why any deficit solution must provide for continued investments in America's future.

"For families still struggling to get by, the holiday season is a time for hope that the coming year will bring new opportunities. While our economic recovery has seen significant progress, there is still much more to be done to get Americans back to work and expand our middle class.

However, a serious impediment to doing so exists in the form of the fiscal cliff. That combination of automatic tax increases and arbitrary spending cuts, if allowed to hit on January 1, would significantly undermine Congress’s ability to invest in moving our recovery forward, creating new opportunities, and working toward sustained job growth.

Continue ReadingIf we don’t prioritize spending or bring in sufficient revenues, programs that expand our economy and protect the most vulnerable are at risk. Indiscriminate cuts to those kinds of programs would damage the economy even further, and make it harder for millions to achieve the American Dream.

For example, recognizing the need to graduate more students well prepared for skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing, Make It In America legislation places a particular emphasis on furthering science, technology, engineering, and math – or “STEM” – education in America. It includes bills like the Broadening Participation in STEM Education Act, which was introduced in April and would authorize National Science Foundation grants to help bring more students from underrepresented groups into STEM learning programs.

We’re concerned that, unless we reach a big and balanced deal, items like House Democrats’ “Make It In America” plan will not become reality. This jobs plan invests in innovation, education, and infrastructure in order to help our businesses and workers compete in the global economy. This is the type of jobs platform our nation needs to build a lasting, strong economy, and it represents the kind of investments we believe are worth prioritizing as we get our fiscal house in order.

Right now, our overseas competitors are producing more engineers and scientists than ever before. We ought to be making it easier for students to learn the basics of science and math, use those foundational skills to advance in secondary and post-secondary courses, and graduate ready to find jobs that won’t be shipped overseas. A STEM-prepared workforce will also help us attract new business development to our shores. We hear regularly from advanced manufacturers determined not only to design a product here but also to “make it in America” – only to discover they have trouble finding enough workers and managers here with sufficient STEM training."

Politico Article

Congresswoman Johnson Examines Issues Surrounding NASA's Strategic Direction & Future

Congresswoman Johnson, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine issues surrounding NASA’s strategic direction, including reviewing critical capabilities that underpin the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) role as the world’s preeminent civil space exploration and aeronautics research and development agency, discussing potential steps to preserve and promote them, and reviewing the findings of a National Research Council (NRC) panel’s report on NASA’s Strategic Direction that were released last week.  Testifying before the Committee was the Vice Chair of that NRC panel and aerospace experts from industry and academia.

Noting that the issues considered by the NRC panel are not new to the Committee, Congresswoman Johnson said “We have heard them [the issues] raised in one form or another in both this and previous Congresses.  I hope that the findings of the NRC panel’s assessment will encourage both the Administration and Congress to put NASA on a firmer footing and to recognize NASA for the national asset that it is”.  She emphasized the need to remember the criticality of investing in research and development (R&D), even in times of fiscal restraint.   Ms. Johnson said “While NASA’s programs are funded as part of the Federal domestic discretionary budget, we should not forget that those programs are long-term R&D undertakings, and they can’t just be turned on and off whenever we have a short-term fiscal issue needing attention—not if we want them to be successful, and not if we want to maintain our commitment to the dedicated workforce that is trying to bring them to fruition.  That is a challenge we are going to face in the coming months and years as we work to put the nation’s financial house in order.  Because we forget at our peril the hard reality that investments in R&D and innovation, such as in the programs and projects carried out at NASA are just that—investments—investments in our nation’s future and in the future of our children.”

In discussing the NRC panel’s conclusion that the approach to and pace of a number of NASA’s programs, projects, and activities will not be sustainable if the NASA budget remains flat as currently projected, Democratic Members emphasized the critical nature of NASA’s work in promoting innovation, advancing knowledge, advancing the nation’s peaceful geopolitical objectives, and inspiring America’s youth to following careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Congresswoman Johnson Receives The 2012 Sam Rayburn Courage Award

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has been awarded the 2012 Sam Rayburn Courage Award by the Texas Democratic Party. The Sam Rayburn Courage Award is named for the legendary former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Texas Congressman Sam Rayburn.

In the Texas Democratic Party's statement on this years award they highlighted Congresswoman Johnson's service in the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, and the United States House of Representatives and went on to say, "Congresswoman Johnson was chosen as the recipient of this years Sam Rayburn Courage Award in recognition of her years of outstanding service and many achievements not only for her district but for all of Texas."

Congresswoman Johnson Speaks At Ethnic Diversity Workshop In Materials Science

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was the keynote speaker at the Ethnic Diversity Workshop in Materials Science, held by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. The workshop’s focus was to address the lack of diversity in post-secondary education and the Materials Science fields.

Congresswoman Johnson noted, “Statistics show that students from minority communities are falling behind in math and science as early as the 4^th grade. We cannot continue down this path if we want to remain competitive globally.  We must continue to emphasize and invest in STEM education so that our science and tech companies can find the skilled workforce they need here at home.”

Justin Schwartz, head of the Department of Materials Science at North Carolina State University, said “Congresswoman Johnson has shown both expertise and leadership in increasing diversity in the science fields, and we are thankful for her thoughts and perspectives.” North Carolina State University was one of the universities partnering in the event.

The workshop was held in Arlington, Virginia, and attended by government agencies, academics, and graduate students from across the country.

As the first African American and the first female Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congresswoman Johnson has been a constant champion for increasing the ranks of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. 

Congresswoman Johnson Applauds The Creation Of Inter-Agency Task Force On Commercial Advocacy

Congresswoman Johnson was pleased by President Obama's recent signing of an executive order establishing an Inter-agency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy. 

 "This task force will assist U.S. businesses seeking contracts and market access overseas. In signing this order, the President continues his commitment to increasing American exports, which help drive job creation in manufacturing and other sectors of our economy. This focus on export assistance and helping our businesses access foreign markets is intrinsic to House Democrats’ Make It In America plan. Read about the “Make It In America” plan supports job creation today and in the future by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the United States and sell it to the world." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Remembers Congressman Jack Brooks

Congresswoman Johnson remembered her former colleague, and fellow Texas Democrat, Congressman Jack Brooks in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

Congresswoman Johnson said, “He was a true grit Texan, meaning that what he believed in, he didn’t shy away from. He’d stand up boldly for it. That showed when I saw him helping put together civil rights legislation and trying to make sure workers’ rights were protected.

“He was one of the people who stood out and stood up. As an example, he was part of the Texas delegation working up front to draft the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. There were a lot of Southerners, even Democrats, who had reservations taking leadership in those pieces of legislation, but he did it.

“We all could take lessons from observing the way he held himself. He was very true to his beliefs. He was trustworthy. He believed in what he was standing for and he didn’t shrink away from it.

“One of the reasons why he was defeated (for re-election in 1994) was because he stood strong with the (Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act) crime bill — which had some gun control — and President Clinton. He was from part of the state that believed in gun rights. He said he stood with the president.”

Congresswoman Johnson Re-elected As Ranking Member of Committee On Science, Space, & Technology

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was recently elected by her colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to remain Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for the 113th Congress. 

“I am honored to continue our work at the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. I stand eager to continue to work with my colleagues on the Committee to help rebuild our nation’s economy through the enhancement of STEM education, continued support for scientific innovation, and the creation of hi-tech jobs.  Both basic and applied scientific research have significantly enhance our standard of living, fostered new innovative industries, and retained our nations’ global competitiveness.  I will work tirelessly to advance these issues in the best interest of our nation.  There is much work to be done in the 113th Congress. The America COMPETES Act, which helps maintain and enhance America’s competitiveness by supporting education and innovation, is up for reauthorization. In addition, we will need to reaffirm our commitment to a robust program of science, aeronautics, exploration, and human spaceflight as we reauthorize NASA. Finally, the Committee’s jurisdiction encompasses a number of challenges that the country is currently facing such as climate change, severe weather and other hazards, a growing need for clean energy, and the importance of revitalizing our manufacturing sector. I look forward to working with incoming Chairman Smith to help address these and other important issues.  I sincerely hope that this Committee will be able to work on a bipartisan basis to look at how we can grow new sectors of the U.S. economy, prepare our children for the jobs of the future, and ensure our long-term competitiveness.”

Congresswoman Johnson was first elected Ranking Member in December 2010, becoming the first African-American and the first female Ranking Member of the Committee.  She joined the Science, Space, and Technology Committee as a freshman in 1993.

Congresswoman Johnson Applauds $5.1 Billion In Prescription Drug Savings Since Enactment Of The Affordable Care Act

“Today, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that America’s seniors have saved more than $5.1 billion on prescription drugs since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.  In Texas alone, 158,000 Medicare recipients have saved over $300 million by closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole.”  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare recipients will continue to see these savings on prescription drugs until 2020, when the donut hole coverage gap will close.

As the only North Texas legislator to vote for this historic healthcare reform bill, I am pleased to see so many Texans taking advantage of its many benefits.  More than 1.62 million Texans have also utilized free access to preventive services.   As the American people see increased savings and access to care, the Affordable Care Act is more popular than ever before.”