(Washington, DC) – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas released a statement on the five Republican Members of the Science Committee named as conferees on U.S. competitiveness legislation. Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the full slate of Republican conferees today. In addition to Ranking Member Lucas, the Science Committee conferees include:
- Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Weber (R-TX)
- Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX)
- Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL)
- Representative Mike Garcia (R-CA)
- Representative Young Kim (R-CA), representing the House Foreign Affairs Committee
“I’m incredibly proud of the team Leader McCarthy has put together to conference this bill,” Lucas said. “These Science Committee Members know exactly how important it is to pass smart legislation to keep America globally competitive. We have our work cut out for us.
"It’s been nine months since the House passed the Science Committee’s bipartisan competitiveness bills and almost five months since the Speaker and Leader Schumer announced we would go to a conference. Their postponement was unnecessary and unproductive but I’m glad we are finally taking this step. China has not been sitting around idly during this delay. The already difficult process to reconcile these bills has been compounded by the Speaker’s decision to draft the partisan House COMPETES package filled with poison pills. Now that conferees have been named, however, the House and Senate can get to work on the policies needed to advance American technological development.
"The final legislation should have a comprehensive, strategic, and sustainable investment in America’s research agencies, as opposed to a one-time infusion of cash. It must be focused on economic growth, transformative basic research, and improving technology transfer to the private sector. Finally, we must ensure we are protecting our investments by putting in place stronger barriers to prevent theft by the Chinese Communist Party. I’m hopeful we can find a consensus path forward to these priorities.”
Leader McCarthy emphasized the urgent need for this legislation. “Countering the Chinese Communist threat is the single most pressing issue we can undertake in this Congress," McCarthy said. "We cannot continue to choose inaction or a weak approach if we want to secure a revitalization of our domestic manufacturing and bring those jobs back to the United States. This Congress cannot bend or bow to China's lobbying efforts. We need strong voices in this process who will put American interests above all else. I am confident these members will never waver in their commitment to only advance legislation that will help our national security, protect our economic prosperity, and that will hold the CCP accountable."