Department of Energy Science for the Future Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3593, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act. As a newly minted member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I was so proud to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle work so hard on this bill to pass it through committee with amendments from both Democrats and Republicans. I, too, had an opportunity as a newly minted member to make an impact on this important legislation.

And I think that it wasn't by accident, and I thank the chairwoman of the committee, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson and Representative Lucas, the ranking member, for creating the environment in which we could do our work and craft this important legislation.

As you all have heard, the Department of Energy's Office of Science is a hub of technological advancement and research designed to tackle our greatest scientific challenges facing the United States.

Through several hearings in the committee, we learned about the DOE Office of Science's ongoing efforts to support research and to find solutions.

This bill allows the Office of Science to continue carrying out nondefense research on a vast array of critical areas. It supports research to modernize our energy infrastructure, allowing us the tools to overhaul our outdated energy grid to more climate-friendly solutions. And we, of course, have seen some of the catastrophic events caused by the lack of current technologies that recognize the climate action.

It funds continuing studies in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, keeping pace with our competitors in the tech sector and readying our cybersecurity defenses from our adversaries, as we have seen up close and personal the cost to our country to not keep abreast of these technologies.

During markup, I was able to offer a provision that was included in the bill that is before the House today that would prioritize clean water and watershed research at the Office of Science. My amendment directs the Office of Science to support clean water and watershed research that increases the quality and quantity of water across America, including the treasured Great Lakes.

My home district of Milwaukee shares a coast with Lake Michigan, which I consider one of my most important constituents.

It is imperative that we study the harmful effects of water pollution, make investments in technologies to combat the contamination of our waterways, and to protect drinking water sources that are critical to every man, woman, and child. We also need to make sure that water continues to be a resource for commerce.

My amendment also ensures that relevant communities, research institutions, and nonprofits will be at the table when DOE carries out these tasks. Innovation doesn't occur in a vacuum, and it is critical that these research efforts have real world input from key stakeholders.

Before I close, I want to mention something about the National Science Foundation, H.R. 2225, which we considered on this floor today. I thank the chair and the ranking member for leaning in again to put this together in giving Members an opportunity to weigh in.

As you all know, the NSF is the funder of more than 1,800 institutions in the United States, and they provide tremendous resources, funding, and opportunities for STEM students. I have been able to weigh in to make sure that there is diversity and opportunity in STEM.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3593, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act.

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