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WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today declared his strong support of two pieces of legislation moving through the Science, Space and Technology Committee during debate on the measures. The bills, H.R. 2225, the National Science Foundation for the Future Act and H.R. 3593, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act would invest in scientific innovation and development across the United States.

Rep. Tonko statement on the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act:

“Thank you, Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Lucas, Subcommittee Chairman Bowman, Subcommittee Ranking Member Weber, and the bipartisan team of committee staff members who have worked to craft this comprehensive reauthorization bill for the Department of Energy Office of Science—work that I know has been deeply informed by working with some of America’s top scientists and stakeholders across the country including our world-leading national laboratories, academic institutions, public and private sector innovators and related industries, and many important scientific associations.

“This bill has an eye on the future. The most significant challenges we now face demand bold planning and decisive, sustained action. Let’s invest in programs we know work and create new programs where they are needed. Let’s ensure that our nation’s most critical work in climate science, renewable energy, advanced computing microelectronics and more can continue and grow and outcompete the world.

“The process you—and we—have undertaken here, with this DOE reauthorization and with the NSF for the Future Act, offers a roadmap for a legislative process that all of Congress can learn from and strive for—a process that unites a broad array of voices from our scientific community and draws from countless experts and stakeholders, that engages in robust, frank discussion, that puts duty of service above political soundbites and delivers thoughtful and forward-looking results for communities across America.

“And one more thing, if I may be so bold. I believe our progress here today, and the process that led to it, shows this committee and our greater U.S. House of Representatives to be a strong contender for the title of world’s greatest deliberative body. Let’s continue to draw on this dynamic as we work on behalf of the American people to build our more perfect union.”

Rep. Tonko statement on the National Science Foundation for the Future Act:

“I want to thank Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Lucas, Subcommittee Chairwoman Stevens, Subcommittee Ranking Member Waltz, and the bipartisan team of committee staff who have worked to craft a National Science Foundation (NSF) reauthorization bill that advances fundamental research across all areas of science and engineering; addresses challenges in STEM education, data access and accountability, and security threats; and creates a new directorate to help enable NSF to advance solutions to improve the lives of all Americans – their current and future health and safety, beyond a singular focus on competitiveness.

“As we take on big questions about the future of American innovation and science policy, I commend the Science Committee’s dedication to advancing a bipartisan National Science Foundation (NSF) reauthorization bill informed by meaningful input from a diverse group of stakeholders. This process exemplifies the kind of legislative process that all of Congress should strive for – a process that includes robust discussion, bipartisan support and collaboration, input from the scientific community, and an emphasis on delivering thoughtful and forward-looking results for communities across the country.”

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