I want to thank you and the Department of Energy for leading the whole-of-government approach in restoring operations of the Colonial Pipeline following the recent cyber attack.

The need to address growing cyber threats is something that I have been talking about for years.

The ransomware attacks at the Colonial Pipeline and the massive hack detected by SolarWinds are wake-up calls about the increasing cyber threats we now face.

I completely agree, and that is why I introduced the Digital Equity Act, which would create two Federal programs to address gaps in broadband adoption and digital literacy and skills.

That's why I've introduced the Digital Equity Act. I'm pleased that the bill was included in the LIFT Act and I hope that we will move quickly to pass the critical bill.

My congressional district includes cities and communities that have been economically depressed.

As we make these investments, we should also ensure we avoid duplicating the R&D activities of other Federal agencies.

I look forward to working with Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Lucas, and Chairwoman Stevens in moving the 'NSF for the Future Act' through the Committee in a bipartisan process.

We must also secure taxpayer-funded research and technologies from adversaries, especially from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

We cannot allow the CCP to advance its authoritarianism on the backs of American taxpayer-funded research.

The President is messaging this as the way to compete with China, but I would argue that we will not beat China by copying its strategy.