(Washington, D.C.) – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin issued the following statement after the House passed two bipartisan bills: H.R. 3029, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, and H.R. 8790, the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act.
"The United States must continue leading the world in innovation while protecting our national security and strengthening our economic competitiveness," said Chairman Babin. "The House took an important step toward both goals today by advancing bipartisan legislation that strengthens America's biosecurity and accelerates next-generation geothermal technologies. Together, these bills support American innovation, bolster our energy security, and reinforce U.S. leadership in science and technology."
Highlights of H.R. 3029:
- Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct measurement research and convene a public-private consortium to develop voluntary technical standards and best practices for screening synthetic nucleic acids.
- Strengthens U.S. biosecurity by supporting science-based standards that help mitigate emerging biological risks without new federal mandates.
- Promotes responsible biotechnology innovation while enhancing America's economic competitiveness and national security.
Highlights of H.R. 8790:
- Directs the Department of Energy to support research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of next-generation and closed-loop geothermal technologies.
- Accelerates the development of innovative geothermal systems that provide reliable, baseload American energy to strengthen U.S. energy security.
- Enhances geothermal research by improving federal data sharing and building on the success of the Department of Energy's FORGE initiative through additional testing and technology development.