(Washington, D.C.) – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin applauded the House passage of two bipartisan Committee bills this week: H.R. 1223, the ANCHOR Act, and H.R. 1453, the Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act.
“I am pleased that the House passed H.R. 1223 and H.R. 1453, reflecting the bipartisan efforts of our Committee to ensure America’s scientific enterprise receives the support it needs to thrive,” Chairman Babin said. “Modernizing the U.S. Academic Research Fleet with advanced cybersecurity and telecommunications systems is crucial to meeting current security demands and protecting vital global research. These upgrades will help ensure our fleet operates at the highest standards of safety and reliability, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in research. Likewise, enhancing the reporting requirements for clean energy demonstration projects at the Department of Energy is essential for fostering accountability and transparency. Clear, consistent reporting protocols will allow us to monitor project outcomes and spending, guaranteeing responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. I thank Reps. Fong, Stevens, Carey, and Riley, for their leadership and urge the Senate to take up and pass these important bills.”
Legislation passed:
The ANCHOR Act, sponsored by Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI), strengthens the cyberinfrastructure and communication systems of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet to better support and safeguard oceanographic research in remote locations.
“We are one step closer to enacting vital legislation that will protect America's critical data,” Congressman Fong said. “Cybersecurity and data protection threats are on the rise, making the ANCHOR Act both essential to national security and a necessary step to protect taxpayer dollars. With such significant national investment in this research, our scientists deserve the tools they need to safeguard their work.”
The Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act, sponsored by Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) and Rep. Josh Riley (D-NY), expands reporting requirements to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
“This bipartisan, common-sense legislation will help Congress oversee critical energy projects and ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely and effectively. I would like to thank Rep. Riley for being a great partner on this legislation and look forward to it becoming law,” Rep. Carey said.