[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 4, Chapters 15 - 17]
[Chapter 17. Committees]
[D. Jurisdiction of Committees]
[§ 47. Committee on Science and Astronautics]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 2998-3004]
CHAPTER 17
Committees
C. COMMITTEE PROCEDURE
Sec. 47. Committee on Science and Astronautics
The Committee on Science and Astronautics was established on July
21, 1958,(16) although it did not commence operations until
January 1959. The committee was vested with jurisdiction formerly
accorded a Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration
established the previous March,(1) as well as the subject of
science scholarships and matters relating to the Bureau of Standards
(transferred from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce).(2)
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16. 104 Cong. Rec. 14513, 14514, 85th Cong. 2d Sess. The name of the
committee was changed to the Committee on Science and
Technology effective Jan. 3, 1975. H. Res. 988, 120 Cong. Rec.
34447-70, 93d Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 8, 1974.
1. After the new standing committee was created, no Members were
elected to it during the remainder of the second session of the
85th Congress. The Members appointed to the select committee
continued to serve on that committee until the end of the
session.
2. House Rules and Manual Sec. 719 (1973). See House Rules and Manual
Sec. 687 (1979).
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It should be noted that, initially, the committee's primary purpose
was to oversee the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
and the nonmilitary national space program.(3) Indeed,
[O]ne of the major legislative problems involved in creating
NASA was to distinguish the aeronautical and space activities to be
conducted by NASA from those to be conducted by the Department of
Defense. This distinction was made in the Act by excluding
``activities peculiar to or primarily associated with the
development of weapons systems, military operations, or the defense
of the United States (including the research and development
necessary to make effective provision for the defense of the United
States) . . .'' (42 U.S. Code, sec. 2451(b)).(4)
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3. Spencer M. Beresford, ``Monographs on the Committees of the House
of Representatives'' (93d Cong. 2d Sess., Dec. 13, 1974),
committee print, p. 135.
4. Id. at p. 136.
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The jurisdiction of the Committee on Science and Astronau
[[Page 2999]]
tics pursuant to the 1973 rules (5) read as follows:
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5. Rule XI clause 18, House Rules and Manual Sec. 718 (1973). See Rule
X clause l(r), House Rules and Manual Sec. 687 (1979).
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(a) Astronautical research and development, including
resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities.
(b) Bureau of Standards, standardization of weights and
measures and the metric system.
(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(d) National Aeronautics and Space Council.
(e) National Science Foundation.
(f) Outer space, including exploration and control thereof.
(g) Science Scholarships.
(h) Scientific research and development.
Pursuant to its responsibilities, the committee oversees and
reports the annual authorization bills for the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration and the National Science Foundation.
The committee has reported on such subject matters as:
(6)
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6. Spencer M. Beresford, ``Monographs on the Committees of the House
of Representatives'' (93d Cong. 2d Sess., Dec. 13, 1974),
committee print, p. 134.
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(1) International space cooperation;
(2) Ocean and atmospheric sciences;
(3) Satellite programs (weather, communications, earth
resources);
(4) Science fellowships and research grants;
(5) Science policy;
(6) Scientific and technical manpower; and
(7) Technology assessment.
Further insight into the committee's jurisdictional expanse is seen
in the following list of legislative subject categories: (7)
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7. Id. This list was prepared by the staff of the Select Committee on
Committees [enumeration added].
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(1) Measurement systems;
(2) Metric system;
(3) Research and development: (a) Aeronautical (by or for the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Civil Aviation); (b)
Astronautical, generally; and (c) Scientific (except that required
for the national defense);
(4) Science and technology;
(5) Science fellowships;
(6) Science policy;
(7) Science scholarships;
(8) Scientific centers;
(9) Scientific measurements and observations;
(10) Scientific programs;
(11) Scientific resources including manpower;
(12) Space, outer (Control, exploration, space programs);
(13) Technology assessment; and
(14) Weights and measures.
As the precedents reveal, the committee's jurisdiction has extended
to such matters as the establishment of a Council on Environmental
Quality,(8) expression of congressional support for an inter
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national biological program,(9) and U.S. participation in
the World Science Pan-Pacific Exposition.(10)
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8. Sec. 47.2, infra.
9. Sec. 47.3, infra.
10. Sec. 47.4, infra.
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It should be borne in mind, moreover, that the focal point of the
committee's jurisdiction has shifted over the years from primary
concern with astronautical matters to a far broader emphasis on
scientific research and development, in general. Thus, the committee
has recently reported on such matters as computer technology and
genetic engineering. And, of course, as new technological advances take
place, the committee's jurisdiction expands, accordingly.
In 1973, the committee maintained the following six subcommittees:
(1) Subcommittee on Aeronautics and Space Technology;
(2) Subcommittee on Energy;
(3) Subcommittee on International Cooperation in Science and
Space;
(4) Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight;
(5) Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development;
(6) Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications.
The Subcommittees on Aeronautics and Space Technology, Manned Space
Flight, and Space Science and Applications were fundamentally concerned
with NASA and its authorization bills. The Subcommittee on Science,
Research, and Development dealt with authorizing legislation for the
National Science Foundation. The Subcommittees on Energy and
International Cooperation in Science and Space were largely
investigative and nonlegislative in nature.
In the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, the Committee on
Science and Technology obtained legislative jurisdiction over civil
aviation research and development, environmental research and
development, energy research and development (except nuclear research
and development which remained with the Joint Committee on Atomic
Energy), and the National Weather Service. The amendments also vested
in the committee oversight jurisdiction over all laws, programs and
government activities involving nonmilitary research and
development.(11)
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11. H. Res. 988, 120 Cong. Rec. 34447-70, 93d Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 8,
1974, effective Jan. 3, 1975.
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When the legislative jurisdiction of the Joint Committee on Atomic
Energy was abolished in the 95th Congress, the Committee on Science and
Technology obtained jurisdiction over all energy re
[[Page 3001]]
search and development, including nuclear research and
development.(12)
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12. H. Res. 5, 123 Cong. Rec. 53-70, 95th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4,
1977.
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Creation of the Committee; Acquisition of Functions of Other Committees
Sec. 47.1 Transferring certain functions of the Committees on Armed
Services and Interstate and Foreign Commerce, the House amended its
rules to create a new standing committee to take over and continue
the work started by the Select Committee on Astronautics and Space
Exploration to be known as the ``Committee on Science and
Astronautics.''
On July 21, 1958,(1) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas,
recognized Mr. Richard Bolling, of Missouri, who, by direction of the
Committee on Rules, called up House Resolution 580 and asked for its
immediate consideration. The resolution was read by the Clerk, as
follows:
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1. 104 Cong. Rec. 14513, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Resolved, That the Rules of the House of Representatives are
hereby amended as follows:
Rule X, clause 1, is hereby amended by inserting after (p) the
following:
``(q) Committee on Science and Astronautics, to consist of 25
members.'' . . .
Rule XI, clause 11, is hereby amended to read as follows:
``11. Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
``(a) Interstate and foreign commerce generally.
``(b) Civil aeronautics.
``(c) Inland waterways.
``(d) Interstate oil compacts and petroleum and natural gas,
except on the public lands.
``(e) Public health and quarantine.
``(f) Railroad labor and railroad retirement and unemployment,
except revenue measures relating thereto.
``(g) Regulation of interstate and foreign communications.
``(h) Regulation of interstate and foreign transportation,
except transportation by water not subject to the jurisdiction of
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
``(i) Regulation of interstate transmission of power, except
the installation of connections between Government waterpower
projects.
``(j) Securities and exchanges.
``(k) Weather Bureau.''
Rule XI is further amended by inserting after clause 16 the
following:
``17. Committee on Science and Astronautics.
``(a) Astronautical research and development, including
resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities.
``(b) Bureau of Standards, standardization of weights and
measures, and the metric system.
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``(c) National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
``(d) National Science Foundation.
``(e) Outer space, including exploration and control thereof.
``(f) Science scholarships.
``(g) Scientific research and development.''
Immediately thereafter, Mr. Bolling offered this amendment:
Amendment offered by Mr. Bolling: On page 2, line 24, strike
out line 24 through the remainder of the resolution and in lieu
thereof insert the following:
``(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
``(d) National Aeronautics and Space Council.
``(e) National Science Foundation.
``(f) Outer space, including exploration and control thereof.
``(g) Science Scholarships.
``(h) Scientific research and development.''
Referring to the amendment, he stated that it was ``in effect a
perfecting amendment so that the language of the resolution which
establishes the new committee will conform to the act which is to
become law, which was passed by both the House and the other body last
week establishing this National Administration on Aeronautics and
Science. This is to make the rules of the House conform to this act
which is about to become law.''
Asked to elaborate further with respect to the resolution itself,
Mr. Bolling explained that it amended the rules of the House to provide
for the establishment of a new standing legislative committee to be
known as the Committee on Science and Astronautics. The committee would
consist of 25 members and would have jurisdiction over the exploration
and control of outer space and astronautic research and development,
including resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities.
The standing committee would take over, and continue, the work
started by the House Select Committee on Astronautics and Space
Exploration. Certain functions of the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce and the Armed Services Committee would be transferred
to this committee; namely legislation relating to the scientific
agencies--the Bureau of Standards, the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics and the National Science Foundation. The chairmen of the
Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee and the Armed Services
Committee agreed with these proposed transfers. The committee would
also cooperate with the Executive in the operation of the Space Agency.
Further discussion of the resolution proceeded briefly, after which
the Chair put the question on the
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amendment which was agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was then
agreed to.(2)
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2. Id. at p. 14514.
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Parliamentarian's Note: On Mar. 5, 1958,(~3~) the House
passed House Resolution 496, creating the Select Committee on
Astronautics and Space Exploration, consisting of 13 members authorized
and directed to conduct a complete study and investigation ``with
respect to all aspects and problems relating to the exploration of
outer space and the control, development, and use of astronautical
resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities.'' House Resolution 496
directed the select committee to report to the House by June 1, 1958,
or the earliest practical date thereafter, but not later than Jan. 3,
1959. After the new standing committee was created, no Members were
elected to it nor were any bills referred to it during the remainder of
the second session of the 85th Congress. The Members appointed to the
select committee continued to serve on that committee until the end of
the session.
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3. 104 Cong. Rec. 3443, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Establishing Council on Environmental Quality
Sec. 47.2 Under the rules in effect in the 90th Congress, the Committee
on Science and Astronautics and not the Committee on Interior and
Insular Affairs had jurisdiction of a bill to establish a Council
on Environmental Quality to study environmental changes and their
effect on man.
On Apr. 17, 1967,(4) Wayne N. Aspinall, of Colorado,
Chairman of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, obtained
unanimous consent to have his committee discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 7796), and to have it rereferred to the
Committee on Science and Astronautics.
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4. 113 Cong. Rec. 9708, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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International Biological Program
Sec. 47.3 In the 91st Congress, the Committee on Science and
Astronautics and not the Committee on Foreign Affairs had
jurisdiction of a joint resolution expressing the support of
Congress for the international biological program, established
under the auspices of the International Council of Scientific
Unions and sponsored in the United States by the National Academy
of Sciences.
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On Apr. 29, 1969,(5) Thomas E. Morgan, of Pennsylvania,
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, obtained unanimous
consent to have his committee discharged from further consideration of
the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 589), and to have it rereferred to the
Committee on Science and Astronautics.(~6~)
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5. 115 Cong. Rec. 10745, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
6. H.J. Res. 589 was reported by the Committee on Science and
Astronautics on June 11, 1969 (H. Rept. No. 91-302).
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World Science Pan-Pacific Exposition
Sec. 47.4 The Committee on Science and Astronautics and not the
Committee on Foreign Affairs had jurisdiction of bills, messages,
and communications dealing with the participation of the United
States in the World Science Pan-Pacific Exposition.
On June 24, 1959,(7) Thomas E. Morgan, of Pennsylvania,
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, obtained unanimous
consent to have his committee discharged from further consideration of
the bills (H.R. 7431, H.R. 7434, H.R. 7435, H.R. 7436, H.R. 7438, H.R.
7440, and H.R. 7443), and to have them rereferred to the Committee on
Science and Astronautics. Immediately thereafter, a message from the
President was similarly referred.
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7. 105 Cong. Rec. 11810, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
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