Valerie Foushee

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a historic piece of legislation that is rebuilding the infrastructure we use every day to get where we need to go.

Would you agree that investing in railway systems would alleviate the burden on the Highway Trust Fund to sufficiently serve every State?

I applaud the Biden Administration for taking this step to modernize the Federal procurement process.

As we on the Science Committee know, science-based information is crucial in Federal decisionmaking.

This rule will provide unprecedented insight into the climate risks contained without the Federal procurement sector.

Having access to reliable, affordable, accessible public transportation can be the difference between opportunity and isolation.

Those of us on this committee know that transit is the great equalizer.

North Carolina is poised to receive over $6.6 billion in BIL funds for projects like these and many more.

With all the funds available to our communities from the BIL and the IIJA, I have heard from many towns and counties in my district, particularly in rural areas, that they don't even know where to begin accessing these funds.

I was glad that two towns in my district recently received AOPP funds to increase mobility for economically disadvantaged folk in NC04.

I don't believe that we can truly discuss this issue without first addressing our rail workforce.

I don't think I need to sell either of you, or anyone else here, on the importance of manufacturing to both our clean energy future and our global economic competitiveness.

At the same time, I would caution against any unnecessary politicization of DOE's research and development activities.

I am eager to learn more from our witnesses about how DOE intends to maximize these resources at its disposal in support of a stronger, safer, and more equitable energy future.

Thank you, Chairman Williams, and Chairman Obernolte, for holding this joint Subcommittee hearing today.

The goal of our oversight should always be to improve the research programs that we look at, not to tear them down.

Our constituents are counting on these investments, and we need to deliver for them.

I also support good faith congressional oversight of the implementation of these laws.

Laws like the CHIPS and Science Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen the impact of DOE science programs many times over.

I believe we can, and I will work with you to do so.

Good government is good policy.

I am committed to making sure they endure.

Support for rigorous oversight does not, in any way, signal a lack of support for investing in federal research.

I have a keen interest in ensuring that federal research programs are managed well and adhere to best practices.

That is why I am proud to support their work and eager to hear their perspectives.