[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 199 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H6092-H6094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1600
           DOE AND NASA INTERAGENCY RESEARCH COORDINATION ACT

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2988) to provide for Department of Energy and National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration research and development 
coordination, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2988

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``DOE and NASA Interagency 
     Research Coordination Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND 
                   SPACE ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   COORDINATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this section 
     referred to as the ``Secretary'') and the Administrator of 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Administrator'') may carry out, 
     as practicable, cross-cutting and collaborative research and 
     development activities to support the advancement of 
     Department of Energy and National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration mission requirements and priorities. The 
     Secretary and Administrator, in accordance with subsection 
     (e), may make competitive awards to carry out such 
     activities.
       (b) Memoranda of Understanding.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator shall coordinate the activities under 
     subsection (a) through memoranda of understanding, or other 
     appropriate interagency agreements.
       (c) Coordination.--In carrying out the activities under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary and the Administrator may--
       (1) conduct collaborative research and development 
     activities in a variety of focus areas that may include--
       (A) propulsion systems and components, including nuclear 
     thermal and nuclear electric propulsion, radioisotope power 
     systems, thermoelectric generators, advanced nuclear fuels, 
     and heater units;
       (B) modeling and simulation, machine learning, data 
     assimilation, large scale data analytics, and predictive 
     analysis in order to optimize algorithms for mission-related 
     purposes;
       (C) fundamental high energy physics, astrophysics, and 
     cosmology, including the nature of dark energy and dark 
     matter, in accordance with section 305 of the Department of 
     Energy Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18643);
       (D) fundamental earth and environmental sciences, in 
     accordance with section 306 of the Department of Energy 
     Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18644) and section 
     60501 of title 51, United States Code;

[[Page H6093]]

       (E) quantum information sciences, including quantum 
     computing and quantum network infrastructure, in accordance 
     with sections 403 and 404 of the National Quantum Initiative 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 8853 and 8854);
       (F) radiation health effects, in accordance with section 
     306 of the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 18644);
       (G) ground- and space-based technology necessary for the 
     transmission to the Earth's surface of solar energy collected 
     in space; and
       (H) other areas of potential research and development 
     collaboration the Secretary and the Administrator determine 
     important to achieving agency missions and objectives;
       (2) develop methods to accommodate large voluntary data 
     sets on space and aeronautical information on high-
     performance computing systems with variable quality and 
     scale;
       (3) promote collaboration and data and information sharing 
     between the Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, the National Laboratories, and other 
     appropriate entities by providing the necessary access and 
     secure data and information transfer capabilities; and
       (4) support the Administration's access to the Department's 
     research infrastructure and capabilities, as practicable.
       (d) Agreements.--In carrying out the activities under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary and the Administrator are 
     authorized to--
       (1) carry out reimbursable and non-reimbursable agreements 
     between the Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration; and
       (2) collaborate with other Federal agencies, as 
     appropriate.
       (e) Merit Review Process.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator shall ensure any competitive awards made to 
     carry out the activities under section (a) shall follow all 
     appropriate laws and agency policies, including the 
     following:
       (1) Selection by merit-review-based processes.
       (2) Consideration of applications from Federal agencies, 
     National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, non-
     profit institutions, and other appropriate entities.
       (f) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary and the 
     Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a 
     report detailing the following:
       (1) Interagency research and development coordination 
     activities between the Department of Energy and the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration carried out under this 
     section.
       (2) How such coordination activities expand the technical 
     capabilities of the Department and the Administration.
       (3) Collaborative research and development achievements.
       (4) Areas of future mutually beneficial activities, 
     including potential applications of clean energy 
     technologies, such as marine energy.
       (5) Continuation of coordination activities between the 
     Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration.
       (g) Research Security.--The activities authorized under 
     this section shall be applied in a manner consistent with 
     subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, 
     Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B Public 
     Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 2988, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oklahoma?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2988, the DOE and NASA 
Interagency Research Coordination Act.
  The Department of Energy and NASA have a long history of 
collaboration, which has enhanced our understanding of our universe and 
our ability to explore beyond our planet.
  The Voyager spacecraft, which were launched more than 40 years ago 
and are now flying in interstellar space, continue to operate under 
DOE's propulsion systems.
  The work DOE and NASA are doing on nuclear energy is critical to our 
ability to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. That same 
technology can be used here on Earth, too, helping to improve this 
clean and reliable energy source.
  The DOE-NASA partnership will also help us advance our high-
performance computing systems, which help keep us at the forefront of 
research and development. This partnership will also help us with 
satellite development, space situational awareness, and even planetary 
defense from near-Earth objects.
  In short, it allows two of our premier scientific agencies to better 
work by collaborating on some of our most challenging scientific 
issues.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Williams, for introducing this 
legislation and Representative Sorensen for cosponsoring it.
  This bipartisan bill earned unanimous support in the Science 
Committee, and I urge my colleagues to give it the same support on the 
floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, and I thank the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Williams) and the Space and Aeronautics 
Subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Sorensen, for their work on this 
important bipartisan bill.
  Enhancing interagency collaboration between the Department of Energy 
and NASA can have a multiplier effect on the creative, innovative, and 
inspiring work of these two important agencies. It is an important 
element in furthering both agencies' missions and our Nation's 
aspirations in science and exploration.
  DOE's and NASA's joint research and development activities include 
amazing scientific endeavors, such as nuclear power and nuclear space 
propulsion, high-energy physics and sophisticated astronomy, Earth and 
environmental sciences, and quantum information technology.
  This partnership is already having impressive results. For example, 
just last week, an international team of 170 scientists produced a 
catalog of 294 gamma-ray-emitting pulsars discovered using NASA's Fermi 
Gamma-ray Space Telescope that was developed in coordination with DOE. 
Fermi's discoveries mean astronomers now know of more than 27 times the 
number of known gamma-ray pulsars before the telescope was launched in 
2008.
  Last month, DOE marked the largest delivery of plutonium-238 since 
the U.S. restarted domestic production over a decade ago. DOE uses this 
material to develop heat sources to power NASA robotic spacecraft that 
can't effectively use solar energy.
  This is a very practical bill. It maximizes our Federal R&D 
capabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all House Members to vote in favor of this bill, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Williams) to speak on his bill.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud sponsor 
along with my colleague across the aisle, Mr. Sorensen, for this bill, 
H.R. 2988, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act.
  This legislation authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy and the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out research and 
development activities focused on the advancement of shared DOE and 
NASA mission priorities.
  Now, of course, the DOE and NASA have been cooperating for a very 
long time, but this allows it to be done in a more efficient, focused 
way, which includes research and development in critical technology 
areas like radiation health effects--something I know something about--
quantum information science, high-energy physics, and data analytics.
  The DOE has a long and productive history of interagency 
collaboration with NASA, as I alluded to. Over the decades, this 
relationship has evolved to include new areas of research, such as 
Earth and environmental sciences. For example, NASA and DOE have 
established a joint lab known as the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to tell my colleagues that this joint effort 
is at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in my home State of New York, 
and I would be remiss in not bragging that the work that has gone on at 
Brookhaven has led to seven Nobel

[[Page H6094]]

Prizes. I had the honor of touring this lab and seeing the amazing 
instruments that they have, such as an 800-meter-long track that is 
accelerating X-rays to near the speed of light. They are doing 
absolutely amazing science. Imagine what will grow out of this 
cooperation.
  The Brookhaven booster synchrotron, which is what I was just 
referring to, can simulate cosmic radiation conditions in space and 
allows them to study its impact on astronaut health and spacecraft 
instrumentation.

  In addition, H.R. 2988 requires the Secretary and the Administrator 
to conduct these activities in a manner consistent with the strong 
security provisions the Science Committee passed in the Chips and 
Science Act of 2022.
  As the Energy Subcommittee chairman, one of my top priorities is 
research security, and the inclusion of this language will protect our 
Nation's investments from hostile foreign actors such as China and 
Russia.
  I thank my colleague, Mr. Sorensen, for working with me on this 
important legislation and continuing the bipartisan tradition of the 
Science Committee.
  H.R. 2988 is the kind of commonsense, good governance bill that we 
can all agree on. It shows that Republicans and Democrats are still 
capable of putting political differences aside to advance meaningful 
bills that strengthen U.S. leadership in science and maximize the 
return on investment for the American taxpayer.
  On a personal note, I will take a moment to thank my mother for 
inspiring a lifelong love of science in me. I also thank Mr. Lucas for 
allowing me to be a part of science, space, and technology as it grows 
and shines in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, Mr. 
Williams worked on this bill, but so did Mr. Sorensen, a valued member 
of our committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Sorensen), a freshman Member and the only meteorologist in the House of 
Representatives. I think he is the first meteorologist in nearly half a 
century to serve, and his curiosity and expertise is really so helpful 
to the Science Committee, as well as his plain common sense. I thank 
him for his work on this bill.
  Mr. SORENSEN. Mr. Speaker, as ranking member of the Space and 
Aeronautics Subcommittee, I was thrilled to lead the DOE and NASA 
Interagency Research Coordination Act alongside my colleague and 
chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, Congressman Williams.
  I would be remiss if I didn't also share that my mother gave me the 
wonder of what is going on above so that I could spend the first 22 
years of my professional life as a meteorologist helping explain how 
things work.
  Also, I hope that the people at home see that this body is working 
together today in a bipartisan way, just like NASA and the Department 
of Energy have for decades and decades. They have improved our 
understanding of the universe by working together.
  This bill seeks to build and expand upon that legacy by advancing 
coordination on fundamental and applied science. The collaborative 
research and development efforts that this bill facilitates will have a 
profound impact not just for my constituents but for the entire rest of 
the country.
  As a meteorologist, I know that we need to improve climate modeling 
and simulation to increase our understanding of how the planet is 
changing. It will help us make smart decisions to change the trajectory 
while creating resilient communities. This takes interagency 
collaboration.
  Most importantly, as we see here in the Science Committee, when we 
collaborate, we inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers. 
When the first humans land on Mars, they are going to rely on the 
things that we develop today. That is why I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
myself the balance of my time.
  H.R. 2988, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act, is 
smart legislation that will help us stay competitive in the race to 
return humans to the Moon and send them to Mars.
  Without key collaborations like this, we would be unable to make 
critical strides in our energy production and propulsion technologies. 
I thank Representatives Williams and Sorensen for their leadership in 
moving this bill forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2988, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________