Full Committee Markup

Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. The Committee on Science, The Committee on Science, Space and Technology will now come to order. Space, and Technology will now come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time. Pursuant to Committee Rule two F, the House Rule eleven, recorded votes may be postponed. Today, we are considering H R thirty-one sixty-eight, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of twenty twenty-five, H R eighty-four thirty-seven, the Geopower Act, H R ninety-three twenty-six, the USA Act, and finally, H R eighty-nine eighty-one, the Scale Biology Act. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Good morning. Today's mark-up highlights the breadth of this committee's work. The four bipartisan bills before us strengthen our research enterprise, improve public safety, support domestic energy development, and reinforce American leadership in critical and emerging technologies. From the science that protects our communities from natural disasters to the energy resources that will power the next generation and the technology shaping our economic these measures demonstrate what can be achieved when Congress works alongside innovators researchers and stakeholders to put America first. We often think of American leadership in terms of the technologies making the big headlines such as artificial intelligence and a and advanced manufacturing. But true leadership is built on more than just breakthrough technologies. It also depends on quieter foundational work showing up at the table when international standards are written, maintaining the scientific programs that protect our communities from catastrophe, and investing in the energy resources that will power our economy for decades to come. The first bill is H. R. thirty-one sixty-eight, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of twenty twenty-five, that's a mouthful, which strengthens our nation's earthquake preparedness. Earthquakes are one of the most destructive natural disasters facing our nation. According to a USGS FEMA report, earthquakes caused nearly fifteen billion dollars in damages in twenty twenty-three. This bill reauthorizes a program that has protected American lives for nearly five decades while modernizing our earthquake early warning system and enhancing coordination across federal, state, and our local partners. Next we have H. R. eighty-four thirty-seven, the Geopower Act, which helps expand next generation geothermal energy in the United States. This legislation establishes a milestone-based demonstration program that will insure taxpayer dollars are being invested in projects that show measurable progress. Additionally, it authorizes DOE to use innovative financing mechanisms to support promising projects that may not otherwise move forward. Advancing next generation geothermal will strengthen America's energy independence and diversify our domestic power supply. This morning, we will also consider H. R. ninety-three twenty-six, the USA Act, which ensures that American industry and federal agencies have the tools and the support that they need to participate meaningfully in international bodies that set technical standards for AI and other rapidly growing technologies. According to the US-China Business Council, citing French Association for Standardization data, the number of Chinese-held secretariat positions within the international organi- organization for standardization increased fifty-eight percent between twenty-eleven and twenty-twenty-one, while American-held positions have remained flat. If we are not in the room, others will write the rules that shape the future of these technologies. And finally, we have H R eighty-nine eighty-one, the scale biology act, which expands upon the important work that NIST is already doing in the areas of, uh, bio-metrology, bio-mass, and bio-manufacturing by formalizing a laboratory program at the agency. And like so many advanced technical fields, Engineering biology is an area where we are in a we are in a global race with China and other nations and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation. Overall, these bills embody the consistent focus of this committee, reducing risk, expanding opportunity, and keeping America prepared for whatever comes next. Whether it is a fault line betwe- beneath our feet, the energy demands of a growing economy, or competition Yep.

Uh, thank you, Mister uh Ch- Chairman, for holding the mark of today, it is a busy day on the Hill today and so I'm hoping we can move through these bills and amendments uh expeditiously as always I remind members that a concise advocacy can be just as persuasive as a lengthy dissertation um the first bill on the roster is of course the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction uh Program Reauthorization Act of twenty twenty five you're right a mouthful Uh, earthquakes are in fact an unfortunate fact of life and beyond. Uh, earlier uh this year, researchers at the University of Hawaii reported the San Jacinto and San Andreas Falls are at their highest stress level in one thousand years. That's a wake-up call for us. Uh, we can prepare and minimize loss of life and infrastructure by implementing the best possible building codes warning systems, and post-earthquake responses. Now this committee has a role in making that possible. The last time we reauthorized uh the program was in the one hundred and fifteenth Congress. It it expired in twenty twenty-three. It's worth noting that uh our colleague uh Senator Padilla authored a bill which uh uh had comprehensive uh reauthorization months ago um It has been sitting at the desk in the uh at the clerk's desk since uh early this year. It could have been signed into law by now um but here we are. Uh the ANS we're considering today adopts most of the language included in the Senate version with a few additional improvements. Uh the legislation will go a long way uh to protecting both life and property in all areas of the country at risk. from earthquakes and I support the bill and the amendment made to it, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Uh, the Geopower Act continues this committee's tradition, uh, developing good bipartisan energy legislation aimed at diversifying our clean energy sources and tackling the climate crisis. Yesterday the House passed the next generation Geothermal Research and Development Act in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. Before us today is an important bill that authorizes the next step from what just passed the House. By enabling the scale-up of promising new geothermal technologies into commercially viable uh solutions, I w- I want to thank my colleagues uh Representative Begich and Salinas for their leadership on this bill. Next is the Utilized Standards for All Act. This legislation would address some of the many challenges facing US leadership in international standardization activities. It aims to foster greater US participation in international standards development bodies and to encourage those organizations to conduct their meetings in the United States. Now, while this bill is a good first step, we have to remain focused on breaking down really one of the biggest barriers to US-based standard meetings, which is our own government imposed limitations on visas for foreign technical experts to enter the US to attend these forums. We also need to ensure we fund these efforts with appropriations. I support my colleague, Representative Webster's, bill and I hope we can continue to work together to address the full range of challenges to continued US leadership in international standard setting. The last bill on the roster, it is representative Maclean Delaney's scale biology uh act. Several weeks ago, a team of scientists led by Doctor Kate Adamala at the University of Minnesota reported that they had successfully synthesized a cell for the very first time in history. Uh, it's worth noting that uh Doctor Drew Endy who was a been a witness at this committee uh at Stanford's Bioengineering Center was a participant in that project. It's a dazzling feat that demonstrates the US's burgeoning capability in new forms of biotechnology, and I personally believe it's gonna be in competition for Nobel Prize. The best way to build on this momentous innovation is to elevate our ability to measure the biological inputs that made this possible in the first place, and ensure we can pursue this innovation responsibly, safely, and securely. The Scale Biology Act does all of this and reinforces US leadership in engineering, biology, biomanufacturing. I'm very proud of my Democratic colleague's hard work and commitment to this issue and to the work at NIST and would note that she, um, uh, the gentlelady from Maryland has convened, uh, experts, uh, to advise the committee on this and has been a real leader, uh, in this effort. And I want to thank her for not just this bill but the leadership she's shown in this area. And with that said, Mister Chairman, I'm excited to get started on today's mark-up and yield back.

I don't want any yields. Uh other members are invited to submit opening statements into the record. And now, pursuant to notice, I now call up H R thirty one sixty eight, the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of twenty twenty five. The clerk will report the bill.

H R thirty one sixty eight, to reauthorize the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act of nineteen seventy seven, and for other purposes.

Without objection, this bill is considered as read and open.

Uh, Uh, uh, uh, today we'll be considering my bill, today we'll be considering my bill, H R eighty nine eighty one, H R eighty nine eighty one, the standards and calibration for American the standards and calibration for American leadership in engineering biology or scale act. leadership in engineering biology or scale act. I'm proud to have partnered on this legislation with Ranking Member Lofgren, uh Congressman Abernolte, and Delegate Moylan to help unlock the promises of biotechnology as it grows and expands across many industries. As my colleagues certainly know, I'm proud to represent Maryland's sixth district, um home to the Gaithersburg campus of NIST, the National Institute of Standards in Technology. And NIST experts, researchers and scientists are already advancing biotechnology through a number of existing efforts, housed in the physical measurement lab or its material measurement lab. It is vital that we make the development of standards and measurements for biotechnology an important statutory mission of the institute. It also affects the recommendations of the National Security Commission of Emerging Biotechnology and the US-China and Security Review Commission, to ensure the US isn't only participating, but leading the global bio-economy. I look forward to making a full statement when it's called up for consideration, and I yield back my time. Thank you.

Is there further dis- is there further discussion on the bill? Hearing none, if there's no further discussion on the underlying bill, we will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the chair. The clerk shall report Babin ANS, please.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR three. Thirty-one sixty-eight, offered by Mister Babin of Texas.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point, and I now recognize myself for five minutes to explain the amendment. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. R. Thirty-one sixty-eight amends the underlying bill to include the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazardous Reduction Program, or NIHRP. In addition, it makes technical and conforming changes to the program. In twenty twenty-three, a joint FEMA and USGS study found that earthquakes cost the nation approximately fourteen point seven billion each year in building damage and associated costs not including the emotional toll of experiencing this type of disaster. While my home state of Texas doesn't have very many earthquakes, we do suffer our fair share of natural disasters, and having been through a number of hurricanes, I'm a veteran of hurricanes, believe me, I know firsthand the important role that science plays in providing real-time monitoring, prediction, alerts, and engineering advances, including stronger building materials to help keep Americans safe from disasters. H R thirty-one sixty-eight, as introduced, authorizes the program at the US Geological Survey and the House Natural Resources Committee has done their job by reporting legislation to reauthorize that portion of the program. This amendment ensures that the program is reauthorized at the other p- three participating agencies NSF and uh uh NIST and FEMA so that their essential work under NIHRP can continue. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to ye- and I yield back. Is there further discussion on this amendment?

Mr. Begich of Alaska.

Uh, Mr. Begich of Alaska's first and then you will be next there.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. H R thirty one sixty eight, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of twenty twenty five speaks directly to something Alaskans live with every day. Alaska is the most earthquake prone state in the country, seeing a magnitude seven point O almost every year, and a magnitude eight point O roughly every thirteen years. For us, that's just the reality of living in Alaska. NIHRP brings together USGS, FEMA, NIST, and the National Science Foundation so that monitoring, mapping, engineering, research, and building codes function as one system rather than separate efforts. For Alaska, that coordination has shown results. USGS's Advanced National Seismic System let us detect and respond to the twenty twenty-one magnitude eight point two earthquake near Perryville, the largest earthquake ever recorded with an advanced national seismic system regional network. This bill locks in the funding to finish that system with at least thirty million dollars a year dedicated to it through fiscal year twenty-thirty. The bill also pushes shake alert expansion, forward and requires coordination with the FCC so earthquake alerts reach people quickly rural Alaska those seconds of warning and that clarity can mean the difference between people reaching safety and not current law speaks to federal state and local coordination this bill brings tribal governments into that structure directly adding them to the advisory committee to USGS's coordination responsibilities and to early warning system planning this program also protects the infrastructure

The gentleman yields back.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I also wanna speak in support of HR thirty one sixty eight. Um, this is important especially out in California where we also uh experience our fair share of of earthquakes. And as as you said, Mr. Chairman, uh, I'm no stranger to different disasters, fire, flood, earthquake. It's important that we use the latest in technology and science, um, to make sure that, you know, we're getting ahead of these, that we have early warning detection and that's what this This bill does ma- ensures that coordination, uh, to ensure alerts and early warnings are broadcast as rapidly as possible, uh, for the maximum warning time, as we know with disasters we've faced. Uh, getting that, that knowledge, that notice early in time, as early as possible, saves lives. Um, I also wanted to say a little bit about when it comes to earthquake, uh, you know, in my state there, there are two parts of, of California. There's, you know, the, the more coastal area that experiences a lot of earthquakes. And then there's the more inland area that doesn't have that threat. Um, and yet across California, for instance, our hospitals, uh, are having to meet seismic retrofit, uh, state requirements, um, that are extremely expensive. And it's, it's, it's really impacted our rural hospitals, uh, for example, it's, you know, millions and millions of dollars for hospitals that have, uh, that, that may have no earthquake threat whatsoever. Uh, so that's more of an issue with state policy that that we need to change. Uh, but the other important part about this is that for those facilities needing to meet seismic requirements they need the funding to do so. And uh, and this bill helps address that issue as well with with grant funding that is is the available that will help uh facilities meeting uh, you know, those standards. Um, but again I I am in support of this uh of this legislation, it's much needed. Uh, as as you know we we've we've dealt with far too many of uh of these disasters. And ensuring that we have better response time, that we have the resources, and that we're all coordinating uh from federal, state to local is is very important to all of us. So thank you, Mister Chairman, and I yield back my time.

Gentleman yields. Thank you. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, we will now proceed with amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. And the next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Webster of Florida. Clerk shall report Webster amendment zero four nine.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR thirty one sixty eight, offered by Mister Webster of Florida.

Thank you. Without uh objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Webster of Florida for five minutes to explain his amendment.

Thank you, Chairman. The amendment directs NASA to consult with the US Geological Survey and uh and the FAA on leveraging earthquake monitors to detect sonic booms caused by objects entering the Earth's atmosphere from space. By integrating earthquake monitoring with space object detection, the amendment supports scientific collaboration, which maximizes the utility of federal resources. Ours, my colleagues support the amendment. I yield back my time.

Gentlemen yields, is there further discussion on the amendment?

Mister Chairman.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh, the the amendment offered by Mister Webster would require the administrator of NASA

Recognized.

to notify the committee of efforts to leverage US Geological Survey earthquake monitoring data to understand the potential for improving the detection and tracking of objects entering Earth's atmosphere uh from space as we know space debris that enters our atmosphere could cause harm to people and property, depending on how big it is and where it lands and this amendment is about using federal science data to achieve benefits beyond its original purpose which is a good idea and we support it and I yield back.

Gentleman yields back. Couldn't agree more. Uh is there a further discussion on this amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Webster amendment O four nine. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, no. And the opinion of the chair, the aye's have it. And the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici amendment one one six, please.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R thirty one sixty eight.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I approve.

I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for five minutes

Well, thank you very much, Mister Chairman, and thank you to you and the ranking member for your leadership and for bringing up this bill to reauthorize the critical earthquake hazards programs. I wanna also thank my colleagues from Alaska and California who just spoke in favor of this important legislation. In twenty eighteen, Congress directed the Government Accountability Office to review the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, which it completed in twenty twenty-two. Among its most significant findings, the GAO recommended the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, complete a national risk assessment to identify progress and gaps in the national earthquake resilience. As of last year, NIST told GAO it was still developing a plan for that assessment. So four years after the report, we still don't have it. FEMA estimates that earthquakes cause about fourteen point seven billion dollars in annualized building losses country, and in California, Oregon and Washington account for sixty-five percent of that total. Oregon sits along the Cascadia subduction zone, which has the potential to cause a nine point O magnitude or greater earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the next fifty years. Oregon's Department of Geology estimates that a catastrophic Cascadia seismic event could cause nearly ten thousand fatalities thirty-seven billion dollars in building damages and lead to at least eighty-five thousand people in need of shelter. Addressing any gaps in preparedness will reduce these risks and obviously save lives. Uh, this amendment would direct NIST to complete the national risk assessment to identify the progress made and the gaps remaining to improve earthquake resilience in communities across the country. This assessment would incorporate expertise from the other national earthquake hazard reduction program agencies and include insights from state local and tribal governments who develop emergency management plans, infrastructure hardening and preparedness education on the ground. So this straightforward amendment will help federal and local leaders identify where the gaps are before the next major earthquake not after its destruction leaves families devastated and communities scrambling to rebuild. So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamici amendment one one six. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is an amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon as well. The clerk shall please report Bonamici amendment one one seven.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R thirty one sixty eight.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for five minutes

Uh, thank you, Mister Chairman, and again thank you to you and the ranking member, my colleagues, for bringing up this important legislation. Earthquake early warning systems save lives. Precious seconds can make a difference between life and death when the ground starts shaking. Unfortunately, alert delays and connectivity issues in our earthquake early warning systems, risk losing moments that communities can't afford when disaster strikes. The ShakeAlert early warning earthquake warning system is the only official public network, early alert system operated by the US Geological Survey. Its monitoring and data are managed by leading regional universities, including my alma mater, the University of Oregon. Shake alert continues to be a lifeline for local emergency planners to prepare for earthquakes on the West Coast. But alert, latency and compatibility issues with other federal systems are affecting performance. The Congressional Research Service reviewed the shake alert early earthquake warning system, between two thousand nineteen and two thousand twenty-three, found that the system missed about twenty-two point six percent of qualifying earthquakes, which is more than twice its own ten percent performance standard. So FEMA's wireless emergency alert system, the primary channel for delivering early alerts to the public, frequently delivers alerts more than ten seconds after the earthquake begins. And in some cases the system failed to deliver al- an alert at all because of soft When an earthquake early warning system exists, specifically to give people a few extra seconds seconds to drop, cover, or hold on a ten second delay is far more devastating than a rounding error. My amendment would require FEMA to work with partners at the US Geological Survey and Federal Communications Commission, to evaluate the pathways we use to deliver early warnings and shore up timeliness and reliability. This is a critical issue for Oregonians, ShakeAlert operates. In three states, California, Oregon, and Washington. And again, Oregon sits on the Cascadius abduction zone, our infrastructure and building stock are not prepared for the major seismic events it could cause. So when the earthquake comes, Oregonians need every second of lead time the system can provide. Delivered reliably and on time, this amendment will help save lives and I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields. Is there further discussion on this amendment? Hearing none, the the question is on adoption of Bonamici amendment one one seven. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. There are no additional amendments on the um amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of the amendment and the nature of a substitute, is amended to HR three. thirty one sixty eight. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no. And the opinion of the chair of the aye's having the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted. A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H R thirty one sixty eight, the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of twenty twenty five. as amended to the House with a recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably approving, uh, excuse me, reporting H. R. thirty-one sixty-eight as amendment, uh, as amended to the House. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. And the bill as amended is favorably ordered favorably reported without objection to the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H R eighty-four thirty-seven, the Geopower Act. The clerk will report the bill.

H R eighty-four thirty-seven, to advance next generation geothermal electricity.

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill? Any further discussion on the underlying bill? If there's no further discussion on the underlying bill, we will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Begich of Alaska that the clerk shall report, Begich, A and S.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H or Eighty four thirty seven, offered by Mister Begich of

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize Representative Begich of Alaska for five minutes to explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mister Chair, I rise today to offer this amendment in the nature of a substitute for H R eighty four thirty seven the Geothermal Power Opportunity with Expanded Regions Act, or the Geopower Act. Mister Chairman, the Geotherm Geothermal is baseload power. It runs around the clock regardless of weather, season, or time of day. The resource itself has never been the problem. The problem has been the cost and risk of drilling into geologies where no one has previously proven a resource. The Geopower Act takes that on directly. It sets up a milestone-based geothermal demonstration program at the Department of Energy aimed at next-generation geothermal systems in low permeability and impermeable reservoirs. the kind of geology that falls outside the traditional hydrothermal zones we relied on out in the West. Financing is tied to technical and financial milestones rather than up-front grants, which protects taxpayers, and it requires at least three projects in at least three states with at least three separate sponsors generating data in diverse geologies. Public investment rarely produces the kind of hard, publicly available drilling and reservoir data private capital needs before it will commit to the next project. This legislation is designed to break a specific deadlock. No one drills because no one has proven the geology, and no one proves the geology because drilling without more certainty costs too much. Milestone-based fin- financing is designed to help break that cycle. The bill also prioritizes projects on or near Indian land, which puts ultra-rural communities and geothermal-rich corridors squarely in scope. A successful demonstration near Onalaska or Akitan, both adjacent to active volcano systems, could change the energy economies of entire regions. Less diesel dependence, less supply chain vulnerability, and less energy poverty in some of the most remote areas of North America. Mister Chairman, this committee has a strong record on American Energy Leadership and the Geopower Act, extends that record. The bill is fiscally responsible, it is performance-based, and it opens the door for rural and remote communities that have long sought affordable reliable power. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.

The gentleman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment? I'll recognize Mister Self for five minutes.

Uh, thank you, Mister Chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment in the nature of a to H R eighty-four thirty-seven. DOE already has authority to support geothermal research and demonstration projects. This bill adds another federal financing program and authorizes up to a hundred and fifty million dollars per year compared to twenty-one million dollars per year for the prior demonstration program. Uh, that's more than a seven-fold increase in spending. And taxpayers should not be forced to finance projects that the bill itself uh says may attract significant private investment.

I urge my colleagues to reject the amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back.

Gentleman yields. Any further discussion on the amendment? Mister Van Ips.

Mister Gallagher.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Mister Gallagher from California. Mister Gallagher from California.

I I've called you by the wrong name, James. I'm sorry.

No problem, Mister Chair, Mister Gallagher from California, uh, I I want to uh voice my support uh for the amendment and the underlying uh legislation, uh, Mister Chairman, uh, we know the the power of geothermal energy out in California. We have the geysers project in Northern California, which has been a a great source of of renewable power, uh, in the North. Um, it many of our municipal, uh, jurisdictions rely on that power. Uh, and I think it has the great potential to provide much more affordable uh, power in California. Uh, and so we do need to have these investments. Uh, you know, we right now provide less than one percent of US electricity is by geothermal, but we have the opportunity to to up that. Uh, recent advances in drilling technologies have expanded this potential far beyond uh traditional geothermal regions and as uh the author of this amendment just pointed out um, you know, there's great potential there if we're uh if we're allowed to go and explore this. And this amendment would help um create this milestone-based demonstration program that helps de-risk the deployment and commercialization of next generation geothermal electricity. Uh, if we're going to insure that we have affordable energy prices, affordable power, we need we can't put all our eggs in one basket as we've done in California. Uh, we need to be looking at very, you know, different and diverse energy sources, and geothermal is definitely one of them. Uh, it would prioritize prioritize projects located in regions with limited or no existing electricity generation. you know, many of our rural areas that need this this vital power and, you know, as I said, could be the corridors for uh this new ge- geothermal resource. Uh, and also prioritizing capacity greater than thirty megawatts. You know, we want to do these projects and and and have big projects that help provide that kind of power that we are going to need. And so, uh, I am supportive of this. I think we need to scale up our, uh, geothermal energy projects nationwide. But I think this has the potential to be very helpful in California, uh, where we have some of the highest energy prices in the nation. Uh, so I I I thank the author for the amendment and for this underlying legislation and I will be supporting it today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.

Thank you, Mr. Gallagher. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, we will proceed with the amendments to the ANS and the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamitri.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R eighty four thirty seven, offered by Miss Bonamici of Oregon.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I'll recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for five minutes to explain the amendment.

Uh, thank you very much, Mister Chairman. Um, I wanna make sure I'm talking about the right amendment here. This is the Which one? The financing, OK. Terrific. Yeah, I had two am- amendments. Thank you for your your indulgence.

Right.

Uh, geothermal energy is a clean source that, as uh my colleague, Mister Begich pointed out, can run all day and every season. The Department of Energy's own analysis projects that enhanced geothermal systems could supply up to ninety gigawatts of base load power by twenty fifty that's enough to power tens of millions of American homes with reliable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Accomplishing that level of power generation starts with demonstrating geothermal project. success. The milestone-based geothermal demonstration program this bill creates seeks to leverage innovative financing to support these projects, including transactions between the Department of Energy and industry leaders. These financing methods have shown to quickly scale emerging technologies and other sectors but they often lack standard accounting for outcomes and cost to understand what works and why. So my amendment would direct the Department of Energy to report on what milestones the selected projects meet, how much private capital they attract alongside federal investment. These metrics will help project agency officials, project developers, and community leaders near demonstration sites better define success, so we can scale geothermal an- energy, uh, market and do it responsibly. So I urge all of my, uh, colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.

I don't want any yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Bonamici amendment one one four. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no. And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is a adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. Clerk shall report Bonamici amendment one one five.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute H R eighty four thirty seven.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I'll recognize Representative Bonamici for five minutes to explain her amendment.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Oregon has been part of the story of American geothermal innovation for more than a decade. Since two thousand ten, the Department of Energy has partnered with researchers at the Newberry volcano site in central Oregon on some of the earliest work in the country, to prove that enhanced geothermal systems can work in hard, low permeability rock. Oregon State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and GE Global Research all contributed their expertise to that effort. Central Oregon took a chance on unproven technology when few others would, and that willingness has led to continued has continued to attract advanced geothermal demonstration projects. That kind of research partnership also brings lasting benefits to the rural communities that host it, through workforce development, skilled jobs, and long-term investment in the local economy. My amendment would direct the Department of Energy to prioritize project sites where the federal government has already invested in this type of research to leverage the years of geologic data, infrastructure, and partnerships built at places like Newberry. Oregon helped pioneer this technology as enhanced global as enhanced geothermal systems develop novel techniques like laser-based heating for super hot rocks. Project and asset continuity will improve

Gentlewoman yields back. Any further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion, the question is on the adoption of Bonamici Amendment one one five. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. Those opposed say no.

Aye.

And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. There are no additional amendments on their amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of the amendment and the nature of a substitute. It's amended to H R eighty-four thirty-seven. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no. And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted. A reporting quorum being present. committee report hr eighty four thirty seven the geo power act as amended to the house with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved the question is on favorably reporting hr eighty four thirty seven as amended to the house all those in favor say aye aye those opposed say nay the the ayes have it and the

aye

bill as amended is a is ordered favorably reported and without objection the uh motion to reconsider is laid upon the table Pursuant to notice, I now call up H R ninety-three twenty-six, the USA Act. The clerk will report the bill.

H R ninety-three twenty-six, to promote United States leadership and technical standards by directing the national

Not objection. The bill is considered as read and open for amendment at at um uh at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill?

Mister Webster, go ahead.

Mister Webster, you are recognized for five minutes.

Thank you, Mister Chairman.

Yes, sir.

Uh. So, the utilized standards for the all act. Strengthen the US leadership by advancing a private sector led voluntary consensus technically technical standards uh process built on strong public-private partnerships. This approach is the cornerstone of our American standardization system. The build uh directness to coordinate across federal agencies, ensuring effective cooperation in it with private sector house stakeholders to advance US interest in global standards development. US establishes a pilot program to support the host standards meeting in the United States, thereby increasing US participation and influence in international uh standards body. I wanna thank uh Representative Olbernulty for his leadership, dedication in co-leading this bill which is vital.

Does any other member wish to be r- be recognized speak on the amendment?

No, I'm not, no, no.

I mean, excuse me, on the bill, underlying bill. I apologize. Myself, you're recognized.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

OK. Thank you very much. Is there any further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments.

Miss McClean-Delaney.

I'm sorry, Miss McClean-Delaney. Miss McClean-Delaney.

Uh, thank you, Mister Chairman. I also strongly support uh the US leadership in technical standards uh at NIST and the Department of State um in this forum but also in terms of all of our international forums resources like this are so incredibly important in coordination um and so I would strongly support it having seen it um while I was in the last administration at NTIA and how we need these resources across agencies, given the fact that many of our um global partner our global uh entities like China and others are so leaning into these type of resources I would further uh state that um we need to uh uh keep in mind that the World Radio Conference and other of these international forums at the ITU are increasingly uh needing support and resources, um and that our attendance is vital, so I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Is there uh no further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Webster of Florida the clerk shall please report Webster A and S.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R ninety-three twenty-six.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point, and I now rec uh recognize Representative Webster of Florida for five minutes.

Uh, thank you, Chairman. Uh, the ANS for the US Act reinforces the need to advance voluntary consensus, private sector-led technical s- standards built on strong private partnerships and promotes their adoption as globally recognized international standards. This ensures United States, not Beijing, uh, remains the global leader in setting international standards. Or as my colleagues to support the ANS yield back.

Uh, gentlemen, yields, is there further discussion on the amendment? Hearing none, we will proceed with amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Fuchsia of North Carolina. Blurred cell report Fuchsia amendment O eight seven.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R ninety three

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative Fuchsia of North Carolina for five minutes, to explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mister Chairman, this amendment ensures appropriate procedures are in place in accordance with all relevant laws to ensure that sensitive information is safeguarded against improper release. It preserves information, sharing while preventing controlled unclassified information and other

Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, the question on the is on adoption of Foushee amendment O eight seven. All those in favor say aye. Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Fuchsia of North Carolina. The clerk shall report Fuchsia Amendment O eight six.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R ninety-three twenty-six.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I now rec- uh recognize uh Representative Fuchsia of North Carolina for five minutes to explain her amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment increases the participation of U. S. stakeholders, including academia and civil society organizations in the standards development process established by this bill. Colleges and universities, nonprofits, civil society organizations, and research institutions bring valuable technical expertise and perspectives that can help ensure emerging technology standards reflect American values and respond to the needs of the American people. This is particularly important to communities like in North Carolina's fourth congressional district home to the Research Triangle Park, where world-class researchers and institutions have much to contribute but may lack the resources needed to participate fully in international standards activities. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.

Young woman yields, is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Foushee amendment O eight six. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh those opposed, no. And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. And the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. Clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment one one three.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R ninety-three, twenty-six.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I now recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for five minutes to explain her amendment.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. American-led technological standards are strongest when the broadest range of experts help write them. The countries and companies that set technical standards for major technologies, including artificial intelligence, will shape how this technology works for the rest of the century. For domains as wide-reaching as AI, these standards range from software, hardware, and governance, safety rules that protect consumers, interoperability rules that decide which products can complete compete on a level playing field, and data management guardrails that preserve user privacy. American America's edge in this competition should not come from a handful of dominant players alone. It should come from the full range of our innovation economy and those affected by it. including small businesses, research universities and community leaders who navigate technology gaps every day. Oregon is home to the Silicon Forest, the semiconductor research and development corridor in the Pacific Northwest that depends on exactly that type of open competitive technology ecosystem to thrive. NIST's own research confirms that this full range of experts is not yet fully in the room, when AI standards get written. And it's July, twenty twenty four, plan for global engagement on AI standards. NIST found that industry giants dominated participation, but nonprofit and academic voices are often absent from the process, largely because of resource constraints. So my amendment would simply require NIST to identify the barriers these experts experience to participate in AI standards development, and offer recommendations to address them. This will help smaller businesses, universities, and nonprofits, uh, gain a seat at the table so that the standards that guide this technology reflect the full strength of American innovation, not just its biggest players. So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamici amendment one one three. All those in favor say aye.

Uh-huh.

Uh, those opposed no, and the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici amendment one one two.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R ninety-three twenty-six.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for five minutes to explain her amendment.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Participation in technical standards development should depend on what an organization can contribute. not on the size of its travel budget. When standards bodies meet to decide how emerging technologies will be operated, tested, and kept safe, the businesses and researchers in that room shape rules that affect the entire country. NIST has documented that industry giants dominate standards development participation, and small and medium-sized businesses, universities, and non-profit groups are historically unmer- underrepresented. This is often for a simple reason, the cost of technical experts across the country or

Gentlewoman yields back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Is there further discussion on the Amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamici amendment one one two. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Aye.

Those opposed say no. And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? OK. Hearing none, the question is on adoption of the amendment and the nature of a All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment and the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted. A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H R ninety-three twenty-six, the USA act, as amended to the house with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably ap- a reporting HR ninety-three twenty-six as amended to the house all those in favor say aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye.

Those opposed nay. The ayes have it and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice I now call up HR eighty-nine eighty-one the Scale Biology Act. The clerk will report the bill.

H R eighty nine eighty one, to establish in the National Institute of Standards and Technology a program of measurement re

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill? The gentlewoman from Maryland. It's your bill, OK.

I'd like to thank the chair and ranking member for this critical legislation. that is coming up for consideration this morning. Um, as we learned in our hearing last year on the National Security Commission on emerging biotech seminal report and their recommendations to Congress, biotechnology stands at a very critical juncture. The policies that we advance today will shape the next century of scientific discoveries and determine whether the US can keep its competitive edge. Most of us never think about weights and measurements. And that's exactly the point. When we pull up to a gas station, we don't often wonder whether the number displayed is telling the truth about how many gallons we're putting in the tank. We have the trust because we have a system of standards. The same is true when we buy a pound of produce at the store, a catch a flight timed to the very minute, or check a stock price down to the second. We rely on uniform standards to be in nearly everything we do, precisely because we don't have to think about them. and because they build trust in everyday life. Today, biotechnology lacks the kind of common measurement and standards for biological data that we have in other disciplines. Practitioners don't have a universal common language for how they verify, measure and replicate their work. This gap severely limits the interoperability of existing and potential new use cases, forcing industry actors to spend more time curating data. than really moving innovation. We know how to sequence and synthesize DNA. Researchers have just announced, as was uh cited by our ranking member, the creation of a fully synthetic cell, the spud cell. Now being a farmer's daughter from Idaho, an Idaho potato farmer's daughter, and I love potatoes, creating more spud cells seemed like a really good thing to do, right? But we have the tools and researchers of the past, that could only that the past historians could only dream of, and we must do our part by elevating development of biological standards and measurements as a key statutory mission of our scientific inter enterprise. And this is where the importance of biometrology, the development and use of biotech standards and measurements becomes clear. And there's no better place for this work than NIST in my district. A program dedicated in law to researching and advancing a suite of standards and framework for biotech development that will create the unifying language for industry, for consumers, and for regulators. Uniform standards will improve research, ensure reliability, and expand collaboration and adoption of new technologies and products. As we look to the future, the same standards that make biological data trustworthy will determine whether the US leads the next wave of innovation. The convergence of biotech and artificial intel- and artificial intelligence, AI, which will transform every sector across our economy, from health to ag to bio-manufacturing to defense. Countries that master the relationship between AI and biotech innovation will be in the best position to lead, and harness the power to shape how these technologies will be used for generations to come. That is why the US must treat biological data as a strategic national resource. or reseeding global biotech leadership to China. Just like chatGBT is trained on large amounts of text, the AI models known for biological design tools need high quality biological data to learn from, and high quality data depends on common standards. Securing US biotech leadership in the twenty-first century demands that we invest in the re research and development and the R and D that will underpin what is estimated to be up to thirty trillion, that's right thirty trillion in economic value by twenty fifteen. The scale biology act will do just that. The bill will create a bio-metrology lab program at NIST to serve as a dedicated home for the kind of work that our measurement disciplines have had for many decades the bill directs NIST to conduct the underlying research confer uh convening different stakeholders from industry academia and across government to move us closer to unlocking the bio-economy. It charges NIST with developing the technical road map and identifying the standards we need to make emerging biotech uh able to come to market and to address both consumer safety and security dis concerns. In short, by strengthening the measurement science that underpins the bio-economy, the Scale Biology Act will accelerate innovation, improve reliability and interoperability of our biological data sets, and reinforce and underpin American leadership. engineering bio- in engineering biology and bio-manufacturing. With that, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back.

You don't want yields back, is there further discussion on the underlying bill? Miss Ross, from North Carolina, you're recognized.

Thank you very much, um, Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren for holding this important and efficient marker. I'm pleased to speak in support of the scale biology act which my colleagues Congresswoman Maclean Delaney and Congressman Obernolte introduced in May. As we've heard, this bipartisan bill will establish a new federal program at NIST dedicated to biometrology. Our bio-economy continues to grow and we need reliable measurement science and consensus-based standards to embolden innovation, enhance operability, and accelerate biotech commercialization. I'm proud to represent the research triangle, one of the largest life sciences hubs in the country. The triangle has grown into a full spectrum biotech ecosystem, powered by some of the world's top research universities and institutions. The triangle is also home to many biotech leaders, innovators in research, health, and entrepreneurship. who are working to move this science forward. This bill comes before the committee at a critical moment for US biotech. The Trump administration has greatly disrupted our science and technology enterprise by restructuring critical agencies firing experienced scientists, and cutting research funding. This all not only hurts the US biotech industry, but in it enhances our competitor, China. This bill will reinforce our nation's leadership in engineering biology and bio-manufacturing. I support the underlying bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you and I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields. Is there further discussion on the under underlying bill? Miss Lofgren, you're right now.

No, no.

Oh, OK. Sorry. She's turned on her for a bike. I thought she wanted to speak. Is there no further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. First amendment on the roster is the amendment of the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Lofgren of California.

Uh, thank you, Mister

Mark Schell report the bill.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR eighty-nine eighty-one offered

The amendment. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I recognize Representative Lofgren for five minutes. Explain her amendment.

Uh, thank you, uh, Mister Chairman. The bill and I wanna thank the bill's sponsors, uh, Representatives McClain uh Delaney and Olbernolte. I offer this amendment that makes a technical correction to the bill, but also with this ANS, the program does not have funds authorized. I actually disagree with that, but I understand that the majority does operate within the constraints imposed by its majority. And so in the spirit of comedy, I'm offering this um amendment with the uh notation that the uh you, Mister Chairman, and the majority have offered to work with us so that NIST will have resources to carry out the activities authorized under this bill. Uh, and with that, Mister Chairman, uh, in the spirit of bipartisanship, I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields, yes. If there is no further discussion on the amendment, we will proceed with the amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative McClain Delaney of Maryland. Clerk shall report the McLean Delaney Amendment one O four.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R eighty nine eighty one.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative McLean Delaney for five minutes uh to explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I echo many of the comments that were just uh uh put forth by our our our leading uh representative Loughran. Um. This amendment will restore the authorization levels in H R eighty nine eighty one, to what they were when I introduced the bill. Nearly three hundred and fifty million over five years to help NIST end up the biometrology lab and carry out the directorates of the legislation. I'm proud to represent the expert researchers, techni technicians and staff at NIST Gaithersburg office. And I've met with the experts who would be asked to build this program and will believe that robust funding is essential to ensure that this bill lives up to what we're promising today. real enduring standards. I appreciate the partnership with the majority as we've prepared to mark up this bill and look forward to working together to ensure that the NIST workforce in Gaithersburg has the resources required to stand up the lab but as there is still debate as was just re- reference as to current funding levels and all stakeholders must continue to work together to solidify the necessary re- you know, support for the directives of this bill, I am withdrawing it but highlighting that support and further support is still needed. So I appreciate again how the majority and minority um staffs have really worked so um well together. And with that, uh, Mister Chairman, I withdraw my amendment and yield back.

Gentleman yields back. The amendment is withdrawn. Uh, there are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, the question is on adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H R eighty nine eighty one. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no. And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted. A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H R eighty-nine eighty-one, the scale biology act as amended to the house with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. Question is, on favorably reporting H R eighty nine eighty one is amended to the house. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say nay. The nay the ayes have it and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported, without objection, a motion to create considers laid on the table. Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make any necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill. So ordered. Members will have two calendar days to submit supplemental minority or additional views on these measures and with no further business before the committee, the committee now stands adjourned. Thank you.