Lamar Smith: “I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me time. As chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I…”

“I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me time. As chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I would like to focus my remarks on the role of science and technology in Republicans' all-of-the-above energy strategy. The Science Committee has oversight responsibility in two relevant areas. The committee oversees $8.5 billion of the Department of Energy's research and development funding. If we want to ensure that Americans have access to the affordable and reliable energy they need, we must strengthen DOE scientific research programs and EPA scientific integrity principles. And that is what we intend to do this Congress. As part of this process, the Science Committee expects to reauthorize the America COMPETES Act. A central component of that legislation is $5 billion to the Department of Energy Office of Science, which maintains world-class research facilities through the National Laboratories. The office also supports innovative research that will help transform how we produce and consume energy. We will also pursue energy legislation that improves prioritization and management of specific programs, from energy efficiency and renewable energy to nuclear, coal, oil, and natural gas. The Science Committee recently received testimony that highlighted the massive costs and duplication of Federal subsidies for alternate forms of energy.…”