Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the CHIPS and Science Act.

As a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and as chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, I couldn't be more thrilled to pass this historic bill today.

The bill makes transformational new investments in research, innovation, and American manufacturing, which will bolster our leadership across the globe.

I want to take a moment to highlight some of the specific provisions that I championed along the way. The CHIPS and Science Act includes my National Secure Data Service Act, which will create a pilot program at the National Science Foundation to test different approaches on how we can link government-wide data.

Right now, the lack of coordination across the federal government's data infrastructure limits the ability to generate timely information that is needed to promote evidence-based policymaking.

Another provision I am thrilled with is the inclusion of the DOE Science for the Future Act.

This provision includes a massive investment into our fusion energy R&D enterprise.

We are on the cusp of bringing fusion energy to the grid in the next decade and I am so excited that this bill will bolster our research and efforts on it at DOE.

Finally, I am over the moon (pun intended) about the inclusion of a NASA Authorization in the final package.

Congress has not authorized NASA since 2017, and this has been my number one priority since taking over the chairmanship of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee last year.

The bill authorizes key programs at NASA including Artemis, ISS extension, sustainable aviation, space nuclear systems, and many science missions.

It also contains my Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act and NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Act--both huge wins for NASA and our communities.

Simply put, the CHIPS and Science Act will be a huge boon to our nation's leadership in key areas and I am so looking forward to voting a resounding yes.

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