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What’s Ahead
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| (Image credit – Architect of the Capitol) |
Senate Looks to Advance Spending Bills as House Leaves Town
The House is on recess this week and its members will not return to Capitol Hill until Sept. 4. The Senate, though, remains in session and is planning to vote soon on a four-bill spending package that includes funding for the U.S. Geological Survey and Environmental Protection Agency. It is also considering moving forward with a two-bill package that would include funding for the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health.
There is little chance Congress will pass all its spending legislation by the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. However, lawmakers in both chambers are reportedly optimistic they can iron out differences on a number of spending bills and send them to the White House before then. Aside from delivering agencies timely appropriations, enacting their budgets early would also shield them from a government shutdown that President Trump has threatened to instigate to advance his proposed wall along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Annual Defense Policy Bill Nearing Finish Line
During its extended summer in Washington, the Senate will also vote to pass the “John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.” The conference committee convened to reconcile differences over the bill completed its work last week and the House passed it on July 26 on a vote of 359 to 54. This year’s version of the annual defense policy bill places a major focus on advancing strategically important technology areas, including one provision directing the Department of Defense to establish a coordinated R&D program for quantum information science. Some of the more controversial R&D provisions did not make it into the final bill. A proposal to permit DOD to withhold funding to research groups with members who have participated in Chinese, Iranian, North Korean, or Russian talent recruitment programs was replaced with a provision instructing DOD to cooperate with universities to defend against malfeasance from foreign nations. A provision directing DOD to proceed with a space-based missile defense system was made contingent on the availability of appropriations. A proposal to curtail the secretary of energy’s authority over the National Nuclear Security Administration was cut altogether.
National Quantum Initiative Bill Set for Senate Committee Vote
On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is scheduled to vote on the “National Quantum Initiative Act,” which would launch a 10-year initiative to coordinate and focus federal quantum R&D efforts in partnership with industry and academia. Cosponsored by Committee Chair John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), the bill is a companion to the House Science Committee’s version, which that panel unanimously approved in June. In an op-ed published last week, Thune and House Science Committee Chair Lamar Smith (R-TX) argued a national initiative is needed to ensure the U.S. remains ahead of efforts by the European Union and China. Due to the jurisdictional limitations of the Senate committee, its version of the bill does not contain the section of the House bill that would direct the Department of Energy to establish up to five quantum R&D centers. Those provisions could be added to the bill at a later date.
Senators Seek to Extend Space Station from 2024 to 2030
At the same Wednesday meeting, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will also vote on the “Space Frontier Act,” which aims to streamline commercial space regulations and ensure that NASA continues to operate the International Space Station (ISS) well into the future. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), who have vehemently objected to the Trump administration’s proposal to have NASA transition stewardship of the ISS to commercial companies starting in 2024. Instead, the senators are seeking to extend the current statutory authorization for ISS operations from 2024 to 2030. Among its other provisions, the bill would repeal the existing regulatory framework for non-governmental Earth observation activities and create a new system designed to speed up the processing of observation satellite license applications.
Search for Extraterrestrial Life Comes to the Senate
On the heels of a hearing last week on Mars exploration, the Senate Space, Science, and Competitiveness Subcommittee is holding another this Wednesday on the search for extraterrestrial life. The committee has indicated this recent series of space hearings will inform potential reauthorization legislation for NASA. Testifying alongside Thomas Zurbuchen, the head of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, are National Air and Space Museum Director Ellen Stofan, MIT planetary science professor Sara Seager, and Princeton astrophysics professor David Spergel. Seager is an expert on the search for habitable exoplanets and Spergel is co-chair of the science team for the in-development Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, which is designed to characterize the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets.
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In Case You Missed It
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| On July 25, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testified about the James Webb Space Telescope’s cost and schedule overruns alongside retried aerospace executive Tom Young, who led the independent review board that established the mission’s most recent cost estimate and anticipated launch date. (Image credit - NASA / Bill Ingalls) |
Science Committee Seeks Accountability for Webb Telescope Overruns
At a two-day hearing last week, the House Science Committee probed the recent schedule delays and cost overruns of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Retired aerospace executive Tom Young, who led the independent review board that established the mission’s latest cost and launch date estimates, testified successively alongside NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Wes Bush, CEO of Northrop Grumman, JWST’s prime contractor. Committee members reiterated their commitment to seeing JWST through, while seeking ways to make Northrop Grumman and NASA’s other contractors more accountable for their performance. The hearing also addressed the implications JWST’s delay will have on NASA’s mission portfolio. Bridenstine said NASA will confine any budget reallocations to the Science Mission Directorate and suggested that advanced work on the flagship Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope should begin only once JWST has launched.
Senate Passes Sweeping DOE Science Bill
On July 23, the Senate passed the House’s “Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act” by voice vote after striking a provision that would direct DOE to plan for building a reactor-based fast neutron source user facility by 2025. The rest of the bill, which includes broad policy guidance for the DOE Office of Science and its six program offices, was unchanged. DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar told FYI earlier this year the bill is “quite consistent with how the department runs currently.” To advance the legislation to the president, the House must either accept the Senate’s version or send a modified bill back to that chamber.
Four DOE Nominees Clear Senate Committee
On July 24, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced a set of President Trump’s nominations for the Department of Energy, including those of Christopher Fall to lead the Office of Science, Daniel Simmons to lead the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Teri Donaldson to be the department’s inspector general, and Karen Evans to lead a newly formed office focused on cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response. The committee advanced Simmons’ nomination on a mostly party-line vote of 14 to 9, while approving the others on voice votes. At his confirmation hearing, committee Democrats pressed Simmons to reconcile his desire to lead DOE’s renewable energy arm with his past criticisms of solar and wind energy. The nominees now await a vote by the full Senate.
Congress Sends Career and Technical Education Update to President
Long-awaited reauthorization legislation for the Department of Education’s $1.2 billion Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is headed to President Trump. On July 25, the House agreed by voice vote to a Senate-amended version of the “Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act,” which updates policy for federal programs supporting secondary and post-secondary CTE efforts. Of note, it permits state and local grant recipients to use federal funds to support activities focused on increasing STEM accessibility and engagement. The STEM Education Coalition, however, has lamented that the bill does not place a “heavier emphasis on vital STEM skills,” which it states are needed in the current economy. Congress and the administration have placed a growing emphasis on CTE programs to address skill gaps and shortages in jobs that do not require a four-year degree. Trump is scheduled to sign the bill on Tuesday.
National Academies Report Endorses Electron-Ion Collider
The National Academies released a report on July 23 affirming the scientific case for building an electron-ion collider (EIC) in the U.S. The report observes that such a facility could help resolve fundamental problems in the physics of the atomic nucleus and keep the nation at the forefront of experimental nuclear physics. The Department of Energy, which sponsored the study, has yet to approve the “mission need” for an EIC, which would precede a formal process to select between Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility as the site for the collider.
Overhauled Space Weather Bill Advanced by Science Committee
On July 24, the House Science Committee advanced a version of the “Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act” that is substantially different from the version the Senate passed in May 2017. Both bills aim to coordinate federal efforts to research, forecast, and respond to space weather phenomena such as coronal mass ejections and solar winds. However, the Senate bill would direct the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate these efforts, while the House version shifts that authority to the National Space Council. The House bill would also establish a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pilot program to obtain space weather data from commercial entities. Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) introduced an amendment to bring the bill back into close alignment with the Senate version but it was defeated on a vote of 13 to 19.
New Bill Seeks to Expand Federal Employee Access to Journals
On July 25, Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the “Well-Informed, Scientific, and Efficient (WISE) Government Act,” which aims to make it easier for federal government employees to access scientific publications. The bill would prevent federal agencies from entering into contracts that prohibit disclosure of journal subscription prices to other agencies and the Library of Congress. It would also direct agencies to ensure that subscriptions they purchase are made “easily and clearly” available to all their employees.
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Events This Week
Monday, July 30 AAPT: Summer Meeting (continues through Wednesday)
Renaissance Washington DC Hotel (999 9th St. NW, DC)
Tuesday, July 31 No events start today.
Friday, August 3 No events.
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Opportunities NSB Accepting Nominations for Honorary Awards
The National Science Board is seeking nominations for the 2019 Vannevar Bush and NSB Public Service Awards. The Vannevar Bush Award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions through public service in science, technology, and policy, while the Public Service Award is given to individuals who have made contributions to increasing public understanding of science and engineering. Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 28.
USGS Seeking Legislative Specialist
The U.S. Geological Survey is accepting applications for a legislative specialist within the Office of Communications and Publishing. Position duties include assisting in the preparation for congressional hearings and developing briefings for federal and congressional staff on USGS programs, among other responsibilities. Interested individuals with at least one year of experience working in a congressional staff role should apply by Aug. 10.
FASEB Seeking Science Policy Analyst
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, a non-profit organization representing 30 scientific societies, is accepting applications for a science policy analyst. Position responsibilities include analyzing proposed policies, coordinating science policy committees and task forces, and contributing to communications and advocacy materials, among other duties. Individuals with a master’s degree in science or public policy and one to three years of relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
Know of an upcoming science policy opportunity? Email us at fyi@aip.org.Know of an upcoming science policy event? Email us at fyi@aip.org.
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