Noaa Chief Scientist Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3952, the NOAA Chief Scientist Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA to most of us, has a broad mission that includes monitoring and conserving our coasts, strengthening fisheries, forecasting severe weather, and improving emergency management. That is just a small sample of what they do.

Their work either involves directly conducting research or using research to inform how they can provide the best services to American industries and communities. That is why the position of chief scientist at NOAA is so important. The chief scientist is tasked with advising the NOAA administrator, providing direction for NOAA's science and technology policies, and leading scientific integrity efforts.

This bill doesn't create a new role for the chief scientist at NOAA. That position has been utilized by the agency for a long time now. Instead, in recognition of how important it is for the agency to have a chief scientist, this bill simply makes that role's existing responsibilities into law.

It also ensures that the position will never be vacant for long by creating a process for naming an acting chief scientist when the role is empty. And having an office support staff for the chief scientist will make sure critical activities don't slip through the cracks.

We rely on NOAA to perform critical R&D and to implement sound scientific policies. Doing so requires capable scientific research, and this bill ensures that NOAA will always have that. It is especially timely, given that earlier this month Sarah Kapnick was named to the role of chief scientist at NOAA. I wish her luck there. I hope she will continue NOAA's long history of scientific excellence.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close.

Madam Speaker, the NOAA Chief Scientist Act is smart legislation that codifies an important existing role at NOAA.

A scientific agency needs scientific leadership, and H.R. 3952 ensures that NOAA will always have that in place.

I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill), the chair of our Environment Subcommittee, for introducing this bill. I also thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Feenstra), the ranking member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, for leading the Republican side.

Madam Speaker, this is a smart, simple bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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