On January 27, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee released its authorization and oversight plan for the 119th Congress, outlining its agenda and priorities through 2026. The plan was approved by the Committee on February 5, 2025. McAllister & Quinn staff are actively tracking this emerging agenda and provide timely updates to clients as developments occur.
Overview
The Committee will consider the reauthorization of key federal science agencies and programs including:
- NASA;
- NOAA;
- DOE offices;
- FAA space, research, engineering, and development programs; and the
- National Quantum Initiative (NQI), among others.
The Committee will also revive an initiative from the 118th Congress to pursue authorization of interagency partnerships between the DOE and other federal science agencies like NSF, NOAA, NASA, and USDA. Several bills were approved by the Committee in the last Congress but did not become law.
CHIPS and Science
The plan highlights that oversight of NIST’s management of the CHIPS for American and CHIPS R&D program, including the awarding of funds, will be a high priority of the Committee.
Environment
The Committee plans to review EPA R&D activities, under the agency’s Office of Research and Development, authorized by H.R.2676 which has not been amended or updated since 1981. Also planned for review are several programs authorized by the Weather Act of 2017. A reauthorization of the law passed the House in 2024 but did not advance in the Senate.
Research & Technology
Among the initiatives the Committee has slated for review include:
- the National Quantum Initiative (NQI);
- National Artificial Intelligence Initiative (NAII);
- National Nanotechnology Initiative; and the
- Networking and Information Technology Research Program (NITRD).
The Committee also plans to conduct oversight of NSF’s expansion of research security programs, including risk-assessment and new training requirements. The plan notes new research security requirements imposed by Congress on federal agencies in recent years including new disclosure requirements and prohibitions on participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs by federally funded researchers. The plan calls for the Committee to monitor implementation of these requirements and examine gaps in current law that may have emerged.
The plan also calls for a review and update to the Stevenson-Wydler Act to improve technology transfer from government labs to the private sector. The Committee will prioritize legislation to support a STEM workforce to ensure viable technology transfer from lab to marketplace.
Space and Aeronautics
Under Chair Babin’s leadership, the Committee will prioritize NASA reauthorization. The plan includes a review of each of the agency’s directorates and the development of a comprehensive NASA authorization. Additional legislation will be considered to support the commercial space sector.
McAllister & Quinn tracks committee activity and legislation to provide timely and relevant information to clients. As part of our strategic intelligence services, we provide a weekly newsletter update of legislative and policy developments in Congress and across federal agencies. For more information about our strategic intelligence services which includes forecasting, tracking, and reporting – please reach out to us here.