Lamar Smith: “I support this amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee). The amendment requires that, in…”

“I support this amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee). The amendment requires that, in addition to the National Science Foundation making a determination that a grant is worthy of Federal funding and in the national interest, the NSF must also determine that the grant is: consistent with established and widely accepted scientific methods applicable to the field of study or exploration. I agree that this is an important determination. Basic research funded by taxpayers must have a sound scientific foundation. Reproducibility--the ability of an entire experiment or study to be duplicated--especially by someone else working independently, is the gold standard in the scientific method. NSF should ensure that the research it funds meets this gold standard so taxpayer dollars do not go to waste. I thank the gentlewoman for her amendment, and I do support it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.”