Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 7) to amend title 51, United States Code, to extend the authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to enter into leases of non-excess property of the Administration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 7, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2018 facilitates commercial access to NASA infrastructure and facilities.

NASA's enhanced use lease authority gives NASA a crucial tool to partner with the private sector. For instance, NASA used EUL authority to lease SpaceX, the historic Apollo and Space Shuttle launch Pad 39A, promoting the transition from all-government space activities to commercial ventures.

I would like to thank Senator Roger Wicker for his initiative on this bill which allows NASA to continue to implement this key authority while Congress works out a long-term solution to NASA's use of excess property.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2200) to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 2200, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, S. 2200 has broad bipartisan support, and I urge all Members to support this legislation.

This bill reauthorizes and enhances priority NOAA programs, especially the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act. The Weather Act, signed into law by President Trump 2 years ago, already has made tremendous advances in the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasting and the rapid integration of the private sector.

S. 2200 accelerates advances in model development and data assimilation, increases the use of innovative computing technologies and leasing strategies, promotes targeted research for the next generation of weather satellites, and further engages the growing commercial weather industry through reauthorization of the Commercial Weather Data Pilot program.

I would like to thank Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune for his leadership on this bill, which enables NOAA to protect lives and property and advance the economy of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just like to thank the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for all of her good work on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee over several years' time.

I also want to express my appreciation to her for being instrumental in the number of bipartisan bills that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has brought to the House floor. In fact, as of today, 33 of the 35 Science, Space, and Technology Committee bills that have passed the House floor have been bipartisan bills.

Ms. Bonamici has worked on any number of those bills to help make sure that they are bipartisan, and to the extent that those bills have been changed, they have been improved because of her input. So I really want to thank her for her friendship over the years and for her contributions on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee over the years.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman from Oregon for those very nice comments. They are much appreciated.

I also want to take just a minute to thank the ranking member of the full committee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, my colleague and friend from Texas. We also would not be here without her effort over the many, many years and her help in making sure that 33 of the 35 bills that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has passed on the House floor were, in fact, bipartisan.

I also want to congratulate her on being the next chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. I know she brings a lot of intelligence and a lot of commitment and will do great work on behalf of the country as chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur

in the Senate amendment to 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today, the House considers H.R. 6227, the National Quantum Initiative Act, before sending it on to the President.

H.R. 6227 passed the House unanimously in September. After negotiations with the Senate, we reached a bicameral, bipartisan agreement. I introduced this legislation, along with House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie

Bernice Johnson, who is on the floor this evening, as well as 28 other committee members from both parties.

America is now in a race with China and Europe to develop the next technological breakthroughs based on the power of quantum science. It is a race we must win for our economic and national security.

The National Quantum Initiative Act creates 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. Quantum information science uses quantum physics for the storage, transmission, manipulation, computing, and measurement of information.

This legislation establishes 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 outreach, 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.

Up to $255 million a year of these agencies' funding will be directed to new quantum research centers and laboratory research. Their activities will address fundamental research gaps, create a stronger workforce, and generate transformative innovations to give U.S. companies and workers a 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. The result is a strong consensus bill, which I urge my colleagues to support.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, first, I thank Senator Thune and Senator Nelson, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, who introduced a companion bill to H.R. 6227 in the Senate.

I also acknowledge Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Maria Cantwell, the chair and ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, for their work on this bill as well.

Finally, the President's White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, as well as the leadership at NSF, NIST, and the Department of Energy have been steadfast in their support.

This legislation will help the U.S. to become the world's leader in quantum development. Let's support this bill and send it to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, with the Speaker's allowance and permission, we have another speaker on his way to the House floor who we expect to be here in another 30 seconds, so if I could talk slowly and go on for another 30 seconds, I think the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) will be here and would like to have the last word.

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important to make very clear with this legislation that CMS should not waive any Medicaid state plan requirements that would limit the freedom to choose qualified Medicaid providers who can provide medical services to children with chronic conditions. Nothing in this bill modifies section 1902(a)(23) of the Social Security Act--related to freedom of choice requirements. Children and their families or guardians retain the right to elect care from a provider or supplier who is qualified and eligible to receive Medicaid payment for the services. It is the intent of this legislation to permit and guarantee the family, in consultation with their physician, in all instances, to be permitted to select the best provider/supplier who can meet the patient's needs. While I support this legislation to provide care coordination for these children, the ultimate choice of the who will provide direct medical services must remain with the family.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Texas, Roger Williams, for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commemorate the life and public service of our 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush.

President Bush was simply one of the most honorable people I have ever met in or out of politics. As a fellow Texan, I was privileged to know and work with him over the years.

One of my happiest memories was when I was a junior Member of Congress. I was invited by the President to accompany him on Air Force One. This was my first flight. We went down to my hometown of San Antonio for the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

After we were in the air, the President asked me to join him and the First Lady, Barbara Bush, in the forward cabin. I expected the visit to last about 5 minutes, but, instead, I ended up spending the entire 2\1/ 2\-hour flight with them all the way down.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I felt a twinge of guilt because I felt like he should have been spending this time making phone calls or writing those well-known personal notes that he was famous for.

This was an election year and, certainly, he could have taken my support for granted. But instead, this gesture on his part I think showed his big heart and how gracious and friendly he was.

Earlier this year, I arranged for a tree to be planted on the Capitol Grounds to honor President Bush. It was the first tree to be dedicated to a President. His selfless public service and commitment to family continues to be a worthy example for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 4254) to amend the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to strengthen the aerospace workforce pipeline by the promotion of Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and National Aeronautics and Space Administration internship and fellowship opportunities to women, and for other purposes.

Mr. 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. 4254, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4254, the Women in Aerospace Education Act, as amended by the Senate. I speak on behalf of the bill's sponsor, Representative Steve Knight, who could not be here this afternoon, but he has worked for more than a year to get the bill across the finish line.

H.R. 4254, directs NASA and the National Science Foundation, through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, to use their fellowships and internships to encourage more women to get aerospace experience while they are training to be science and mathematics teachers.

These teachers are then better equipped to educate and inspire students to pursue studies and careers in aerospace.

Twenty percent of U.S. aerospace engineers are of retirement age today. They are beginning to exit our workforce, which will create a shortfall in our national security preparedness.

Meanwhile, women represent only about one-quarter of all science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM workers, and only about 15 percent of all aerospace engineers. We need to improve our STEM education pipeline from ensuring STEM classes are available to students at a young age to encouraging young Americans to pursue the completion of a degree in STEM fields.

Attitudes about career paths are formed at a young age. The role models and young leaders from which women learn have an enormous impact on future decisionmaking.

The Women in Aerospace Education Act directs some of the Federal Government's best teacher training programs to increase the number of women teachers who can educate students about the Nation's leading aerospace programs.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Representative Steve Knight and his cosponsors, Representative Elizabeth Esty, and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara Comstock for advancing this bipartisan legislation. We look forward to its being signed into law soon.

If all goes well, it will be the 15th Science, Space, and Technology Committee bill to be enacted into law this Congress, and one of 35 bills that the committee has passed in the House this year.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill and send it to the President's desk, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the gentleman from California, my friend and colleague, for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I support S. 1768, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018.

The final text of the legislation we are considering today was first introduced by Representative Dana Rohrabacher as H.R. 6650 in August. Representative Rohrabacher, an active and valued senior member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, led efforts to improve the original Senate bill and authorize some additional funding to advance earthquake monitoring and early-warning systems that are critical to his home State of California.

It has been 15 years since the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program was last reauthorized. This legislation modernizes earthquake safety programs

that help States prepare for and respond to earthquakes.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act is a result of bipartisan collaboration and work with the relevant agencies, congressional committees, private sector and State agency stakeholders.

I want to thank Representative Rohrabacher for his initiative on moving the bill forward and working across the aisle and across the Capitol with Senator Dianne Feinstein to get it across the finish line.

I also want to congratulate him for his 30 years of service to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; the Congress; and his constituents. Since joining the committee in 1989, he has been a dedicated advocate for our Nation's space exploration programs, energy research and innovation, and preparing our Nation for natural hazards.

I encourage my colleagues to support S. 1768 and send it to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 3389) to redesignate a facility of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, several Rasmussen Reports recently polled Americans on perceptions of bias in the media on specific subjects. Their surveys found the following:

The majority (52 percent) of U.S. Voters believe reporters are trying to block the president from passing his agenda, up from 44 percent a year ago.

Voters also say politics, not issues, are driving the Kavanaugh opposition. Forty-five percent, a plurality, think the opposition to Kavanaugh is ``mostly due to partisan politics.''

``Half of voters (47 percent) say reporters aim to defeat the Kavanaugh confirmation. . . . Just eight percent think most reporters are trying to help Kavanaugh win the Senate confirmation. . . .

The polls' figures speak for themselves. The American people feel strongly that the media is biased. And that is not good for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Shuster for yielding, and I congratulate him on successfully advancing a 5-year FAA reauthorization.

H.R. 302 includes the Science Committee's research and development title, the FLIGHT R&D Act. Title 7 includes our priority that 70 percent of annual FAA research and development funding be for safety research, up from less than 60 percent today. It establishes a new FAA Associate Administrator for Research and Development.

And it includes the Geospatial Data Act.

Another provision provides for specified aircraft operations of space support vehicles licensed under the U.S. space code. Another establishes a DOT Office of Spaceports and a national spaceport policy report.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the chairman's work on this bill. I strongly support it.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5509) to direct the National Science Foundation to provide grants for research about STEM education approaches and the STEM-related workforce, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 material on H.R. 5509, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5509, the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act, was introduced by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and cosponsored by a number of Science, Space, and Technology Committee members and approved by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

H.R. 5509 continues the bipartisan progress the Science Committee has made to expand and improve science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science education programs to create new pathways to STEM careers.

We can't overstate the value of a strong STEM workforce in America. STEM workers drive innovation, manufacturing, scientific discovery, and productivity across the economy. According to the National Science Board's most recent ``Science and Engineering Indicators'' report, the number of U.S. jobs that require STEM skills has grown by a third over the past decade.

STEM workforce demand is forecast to increase steadily for years to come. Unfortunately, we know that nearly 40 percent of students who embark on a STEM major do not complete it, and only half of STEM graduates are employed in STEM jobs. We also know that apprenticeship and mentoring initiatives can improve the rate of STEM degree completion at both 4-year universities and community colleges.

America's competitiveness in STEM fields requires a diverse and flexible workforce comprised of workers with educational backgrounds ranging from certificate-level technical occupations to Ph.D.s. To this end, H.R. 5509 directs the National Science Foundation to fund initiatives that support innovative partnerships between academic institutions and local industries.

The NSF will offer at least $5 million per year over the next 4 years in grants to community colleges to develop new STEM courses and degrees. These programs will combine formal education with on-the-job work experiences, such as apprenticeships and internships, by partnering with local employers.

Additionally, the pending legislation directs NSF to offer at least another $2.5 million per year for the next 4 years to 4-year universities to partner with local industry and offer apprenticeships and other applied learning experiences for STEM undergraduate students.

The bill also requires the National Science Foundation to award $2.5 million per year over the next 4 years for research grants to measure student outcomes and the effectiveness of computer-based and online courses for technical skills training.

Leader McCarthy's legislation further directs the NSF to research the difference between skilled technical workforce development in the United States and in other developed countries.

Lastly, H.R. 5509 requires the National Science Foundation to conduct research on labor market analysis innovations and America's skilled technical workforce in order to improve our understanding of this workforce's trends and needs.

The innovative initiatives in this legislation will leverage the hard work and ingenuity of women and men of all ages, education levels, and backgrounds to meet the demand for a STEM-capable workforce.

Much like the action the Trump administration has already taken to expand apprenticeships to help meet today's rapidly changing economy, the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act takes significant steps to invest in new STEM education and workforce development programs. Such investments will ensure the United States remains competitive in the global economy both today and tomorrow.

The majority leader's bill will enhance America's STEM competitiveness and contribute to our future economic prosperity, so there are many good reasons to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), who is an active member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and a member of both the Research and Technology and Environment Subcommittees.

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. 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. 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

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.

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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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. Speaker, I have no other requests for time either,

and I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.