House Science, Space, and Technology (Begich): Full Committee Markup

Good morning. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will now come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time pursuant to Committee Rule 2. The House Rule 11: Recorded votes may be postponed. Today we are considering H.R.

3168, The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. H.R. 8437, The GEO Power Act, H.R. 9326, The USA Act, and finally H.R. 8981, The Scale Biology Act.

I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Good morning. Today's markup highlights the breadth of this committee's work. The four bipartisan bills before us strengthen our research enterprise and improve public safety, support domestic energy development, and reinforce American leadership in critical and emerging technologies. From the science that protects our communities from natural disasters to the energy resources that will power the next generation and the technology shaping our economic future, these measures demonstrate what can be achieved when Congress works alongside innovators, researchers, and stakeholders to put America first.

We often think of American leadership in terms of the technologies making the big headlines, such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. But true leadership is built on more than just breakthrough technologies. It also depends on quieter foundational work showing up at the table when international standards are written maintaining the scientific programs that protect our communities from catastrophe, and investing in the energy resources that will power our economy for decades to come. The first bill is H.R. 3168, The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025.

That's a mouthful, which strengthens our nation's earthquake preparedness. Earthquakes are one of the most destructive natural disasters facing our nation. According to a USGS-FEMA report, earthquakes caused nearly $15 billion in damages in 2023. This bill reauthorizes a program that has protected American lives for nearly 5 decades while modernizing our earthquake early warning system and enhancing coordination across federal, state, and our local partners. Next, we have H.R.

8437, The Geopower Act. Which helps expand next-generation geothermal energy in the United States. This legislation establishes a milestone-based demonstration program that will ensure taxpayer dollars are being invested in projects that show measurable progress. Additionally, it authorizes DOE to use innovative financing mechanisms to support promising projects that may not otherwise move forward. Advancing next-generation geothermal will strengthen America's energy independence and diversify our domestic power supply.

This morning, we will also consider H.R. 9326, The USA Act, which ensures that American industry and federal agencies have the tools and the support that they need to participate meaningfully in international bodies that set technical standards for AI and other rapidly growing technologies. According to the U.S.-China Business Council, citing French Association for Standardization data, the number of Chinese-held secretariat positions within the International Organization for Standardization increased 58% between 2011 and 2021, while American-held positions have remained flat. If we are not in the room, others will write the rules that shape the future of these technologies. And finally, we have H.R.

8981, The Scaled Biology Act, which expands upon the important work that NIST is already doing in the areas of biometrology, biomass, and biomanufacturing by formalizing a laboratory program at the agency. And like so many advanced technical fields, Engineering biology is an area where we are in a global race with China and other nations, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation. Overall, these bills embody the consistent focus of this committee: reducing risk, expanding opportunity, and keeping America prepared for whatever comes next, whether it is a fault line beneath our feet the energy demands of a growing economy or competition from overseas, these measures help ensure that America is ready to lead. I'm pleased to bring this legislation before the committee today and welcome thoughtful amendments as we work together to ensure that these bills are as strong and effective as possible. And now I'd like to recognize the ranking member for 5 minutes, who is from a state that definitely knows what earthquakes are.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding the markup today. It is a busy day on the Hill today, and so I'm hoping we can move through these bills and amendments expeditiously. As always, I remind members that a concise advocacy can be just as persuasive as a lengthy dissertation. The first bill on the roster is, of course, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. You're right, a mouthful.

Earthquakes are in fact an unfortunate fact of life and beyond. Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Hawaii reported the San Jacinto and San Andreas Faults are at their highest stress level in 1,000 years. That's a wake-up call for us. We can prepare and minimize loss of life and infrastructure by implementing the best possible building codes, warning systems, and post-earthquake responses. Now, this committee has a role in making that possible.

The last time we, we authorized, uh, the program was in the 115th Congress. It expired in 2023. It's worth noting that our colleague Senator Padilla authored a bill which had comprehensive, uh, reauthorization months ago. Um, it has been sitting at the desk in, uh, at the clerk's desk since early this year. It could have been signed into law by now, but here we are.

The ANS we're considering today adopts most of the language included in the Senate version with a few additional improvements. The legislation will go a long way to protecting both life and property in all areas of the country at risk from earthquakes. And I support the bill and the amendment made to it, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. The GEOPOWER Act continues this committee's tradition of developing good bipartisan energy legislation aimed at diversifying our clean energy sources and tackling the climate crisis. Yesterday, the House passed the Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act in an overwhelming bipartisan vote.

Before us today is an important bill that authorizes the next step from what just passed the House by enabling the scale-up of promising new geothermal technologies into commercially viable solutions. I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Begich and Salinas, for their leadership on this bill. Next is the Utilized Standards for All Act. This legislation would address some of the many challenges facing U.S. leadership in international standardization activities. It aims to foster greater U.S. participation in international standards development bodies and to encourage those organizations to conduct their meetings in the United States.

Now, while this bill is a good first step, we have to remain focused on breaking down really one of the biggest barriers to U.S.-based standard meetings, which is our own government-imposed limitations on visas. For foreign technical experts to enter the U.S. to attend these forums. We also need to ensure we fund these efforts with appropriations. I support my colleague Representative Webster's bill, and I hope we can continue to work together to address the full range of challenges to continued U.S. leadership in international standard setting. The last bill on the roster is Representative McClain Delaney's Scale Biology Act.

Several weeks ago, a team of scientists led by Dr. Kate Adamula at the University of Minnesota reported that they had successfully synthesized a cell for the very first time in history. It's worth noting that Dr. Drew Endy, who has been a witness at this committee at Stanford's Bioengineering Center, was a participant in that project. It's a dazzling feat that demonstrates the U.S.'s burgeoning capabilities innovability in new forms of biotechnology, and I personally believe it's going to be in competition for Nobel Prize. The best way to build on this momentous innovation is to elevate our ability to measure the biological inputs that made this possible in the first place and ensure we can pursue this innovation responsibly, safely, and securely. The Scale Biology Act does all of this and reinforces U.S. leadership in engineering, biology, and biomanufacturing.

I'm very proud of my Democratic my colleague's hard work and commitment to this issue and to the work at NIST and would note that she, the gentlelady from Maryland, has convened experts to advise the committee on this and has been a real leader in this effort. And I want to thank her for not just this bill but the leadership she's shown in this area. And with that said, Mr. Chairman, I'm excited to get started on today's markup and yield back the balance of my time. The gentlewoman yields. Other members are invited to submit opening statements into the record.

And now, pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 3168, The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. The clerk will report the bill. H.R. 3168, To reauthorize the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act of 1977 and for other purposes.

Without objection, this bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill?

McClain, the gentlewoman from Maryland, McClain Delaney, you're recognized. Today we'll be considering my bill, H.R. 8981, The Standards and Calibration for American Leadership in Engineering, Biology, or Scale ACT. I'm proud to have partnered on this legislation with Ranking Member Lofgren, Congressman Abernolte, and Delegate Moylan to help unlock the promises of biotechnology as it grows and expands across many industries. As my colleagues certainly know, I'm proud to represent Maryland's 6th District, home to the Gaithersburg campus of NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

And this experts, researchers, and scientists are already advancing biotechnology through a number of existing efforts. Housed in the Physical Measurement Lab or its Material Measurement Lab. It is vital that we make the development of standards and measurements for biotechnology an important statutory mission of the Institute. It also reflects the recommendations of the National Security Commission of Emerging Biotechnology and the U.S.-China and Security Review Commission to ensure the U.S. isn't only participating but leading the global bioeconomy. I look forward to making a full statement when it's called up for consideration.

And I yield back my time. Thank you. Is there further— is there further discussion on the bill?

Hearing none, if there's no further discussion on the underlying bill, we will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster.

The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the chair. The clerk shall report. Babin, A-N-S, please. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3168 Offered by Mr. Babin of Texas.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. And I now recognize myself for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3168 Amends the underlying bill to include the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, or NEHRP. In addition, it makes technical and conforming changes to the program.

In 2023, a joint FEMA and USGS study found that earthquakes cost the nation approximately $14.7 billion each year in building damage and associated costs, not including the emotional toll of experiencing this type of disaster. While my home state of Texas doesn't have very many earthquakes, we do suffer our fair share of natural disasters, and having been through a number of hurricanes— I'm a veteran of hurricanes, believe me— I know firsthand the important role that science plays in providing real-time monitoring, prediction, alerts, and engineering advances, including stronger building materials, to help keep Americans safe from disasters.

HR 3168, as introduced, authorizes the program at the U.S. Geological Survey, and the House Natural Resources Committee has done their job by reporting legislation to reauthorize that portion of the program. This amendment ensures that the program is reauthorized at the other 3 participating agencies—NSF, NIST, and FEMA—so that their essential work under NEHRP can continue. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Is there further discussion on this amendment?

Mr. Begich of Alaska. Mr. Begich of Alaska is first, and then you will be next. Thank you, Mr. Chair. H.R.

3168, The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, speaks directly to something Alaskans live with every day. Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state in the country, seeing a magnitude 7.0 almost every year and a magnitude 8.0 roughly every 13 years. For us, that's just the reality of living in Alaska. NEHRP brings together USGS, FEMA, NIST, and the National Science Foundation so that monitoring, mapping, engineering research, and building codes function as one system rather than separate efforts. For Alaska, that coordination has shown results.

USGS's Advanced National Seismic System let us detect and respond to the 2021 magnitude 8.2 earthquake near Perryville, the largest earthquake ever recorded with an Advanced National Seismic System regional network. This bill locks in the funding to finish that system with at least $30 million a year dedicated to it through fiscal year 2030. The bill also pushes ShakeAlert expansion forward and requires coordination with the FCC so earthquake alerts reach people quickly. Rural Alaska, those seconds of warning and that clarity can mean the difference between people reaching safety and not. Current law speaks to federal, state, and local coordination.

This bill brings tribal governments into that structure directly, adding them to the advisory committee to USGS's coordination responsibilities and to early warning system planning. This program also protects the infrastructure our economy depends on—pipelines, ports, fisheries, aviation, and military installations in Alaska. A major earthquake in Alaska could disrupt energy supply and defense capability that the entire nation relies on. Mr. Chairman, this bill funds hard science, keeps Alaskans safer, and brings tribal governments to the table as partners in earthquake preparedness. I support it, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Thank you, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back, and I'd like to recognize the gentleman from California, Mr. Gallagher. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also want to speak in support of H.R. 3168.

This is important, especially out in California, where we also experience our fair share of earthquakes. And as, as you said, Mr. Chairman, I'm no stranger to different disasters— fire, flood, earthquake, it's important that we use the latest in technology and science to make sure that, you know, we're getting ahead of these, that we have early warning detection. And that's what this, this bill does, ensures that coordination to ensure alerts and early warnings are broadcast as rapidly as possible for the maximum warning time. As we know with disasters we faced, getting that, that knowledge, that notice early in time, as early as possible, saves lives. I also wanted to say a little bit about when it comes to earthquake, you know, in my state there are two parts of California.

There's, you know, the more coastal area that experiences a lot of earthquakes, and then there's the more inland area that doesn't have that threat. And yet across California, for instance, our hospitals are having to meet seismic retrofit state requirements that are extremely expensive, and it's really impacted our rural hospitals. For example, it's, you know, millions millions of dollars for hospitals that have— that may have no earthquake threat whatsoever. So that's more of an issue with state policy that we need to change. But the other important part about this is that for those facilities needing to meet seismic requirements, they need the funding to do so.

And this bill helps address that issue as well with grant funding that is available that will help facilities meeting those standards. But again, I am in support of this legislation. It's much needed. As you know, we've dealt with far too many of these disasters, and ensuring that we have better response time, that we have the resources, and that we're all coordinating from federal, state, to local is very important to all of us. So thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back my time.

Gentleman yields. Thank you. Is there further discussion on the amendment?

If there's no further discussion on the amendment, we will now proceed with amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. And the next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Webster of Florida. Clerk shall report Webster Amendment 049. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3168 Offered by Mr. Webster of Florida.

Thank you. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Webster of Florida for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Chairman. The amendment directs NASA to consult with the U.S. Geological Survey and, and the FAA on leveraging earthquake monitors to detect sonic booms caused by objects entering the Earth's atmosphere from space.

By integrating earthquake monitoring with space object detection, the amendment supports scientific collaboration, which maximizes the utility of federal resources. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back my time. Gentleman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Mr. Chairman?

Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am. Uh, the— the amendment offered by Mr. Webster would require the administrator of NASA to notify the committee of efforts to leverage U.S. Geological Survey earthquake monitoring data to understand the potential for improving the detection and tracking of objects entering Earth's atmosphere, uh, from space. As we know, space debris that enters our atmosphere could cause harm to people and property depending on how big it is and where it lands. And this amendment is about using federal science data to achieve benefits beyond its original purpose, which is a good idea, and we support it.

And I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Couldn't agree more. Is there further discussion on this amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment.

The question is on the adoption of Webster Amendment 049. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment 116, please. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3168. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to you and the ranking member for your leadership and for bringing up this bill to reauthorize the critical Earthquake Hazards programs. I want to also thank my colleagues from Alaska and California who just spoke in favor of this important legislation. In 2018, Congress directed the Government Accountability Office to review the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, which it completed in 2022.

Among its most significant findings, the GAO recommended that the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, complete a national risk assessment— to identify progress and gaps in the national earthquake resilience. As of last year, NIST told GAO it was still developing a plan for that assessment. So 4 years after the report, we still don't have it. FEMA estimates that earthquakes cause about $14.7 billion in annualized building losses across the country, and in California, Oregon, and Washington account for 65% of that total. Oregon sits along the Cascadia subduction zone, which has the potential to cause a 9.0 magnitude or greater earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the next 50 years.

Oregon's Department of Geology estimates that a catastrophic Cascadia seismic event could cause nearly 10,000 fatalities, $37 billion in building damages, and lead to at least 85,000 people in need of shelter. Addressing any gaps in preparedness will reduce these risks and obviously save lives. This amendment would direct NIST to complete the National Risk Assessment to identify the progress made and the gaps remaining to improve earthquake resilience in communities across the country. This assessment would incorporate expertise from the other National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program agencies and include insights from state, local, and tribal governments who develop emergency management plans, infrastructure hardening, and preparedness education on the ground. So this straightforward amendment will help federal and local leaders identify where the gaps are before the next major earthquake, not after its destruction leaves families devastated and communities scrambling to rebuild.

So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamici Amendment 116.

All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon as well. The clerk shall please report Bonamici Amendment 117. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3162. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And again, thank you to you and the ranking member, my colleagues, for bringing up this important legislation. Earthquake early warning systems save lives. Precious seconds can make a difference between life and death when the ground starts shaking.

Unfortunately, alert delays and connectivity issues in our earthquake early warning systems risk losing moments that communities can't afford when disaster strikes. The ShakeAlert early warning— earthquake warning system is the only official public network early alert system operated by the U.S. Geological Survey. Its monitoring and data are managed by leading regional universities, including my alma mater, the University of Oregon. ShakeAlert continues to be a lifeline for local emergency planners to prepare for earthquakes on the West Coast, but alert latency and compatibility issues with other federal systems are affecting performance. The Congressional Research Service reviewed the ShakeAlert early earthquake warning system between 2019 and 2023, found that the system missed a about 22.6% of qualifying earthquakes, which is more than twice its own 10% performance standard.

So FEMA's Wireless Emergency Alert System, the primary channel for delivering early alerts to the public, frequently delivers alerts more than 10 seconds after the earthquake begins. And in some cases, the system failed to deliver an alert at all because of software problems. When an earthquake early warning system exists specifically to give people a few extra seconds, seconds to drop, cover, hold, on a 10-second delay is far more devastating than a rounding error. My amendment would require FEMA to work with partners at the U.S. Geological Survey and Federal Communications Commission to evaluate the pathways we use to deliver early warnings and shore up timeliness and reliability. This is a critical issue for Oregonians.

ShakeAlert operates in 3 states: California, Oregon, and Washington. And again, Oregon sits on the Cascadia subduction zone. Our infrastructure and building stock are not prepared for the major seismic events it could cause. So When the earthquake comes, Oregonians need every second of lead time the system can provide, delivered reliably and on time. This amendment will help save lives, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

And I yield back. Gentlewoman yields. Is there further discussion on this amendment? Hearing none, the, the question is on adoption of Bonamici Amendment 117. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended to H.R. 3168. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, is adopted.

A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 3168, The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, as amended, to the House with a recommendation Motion that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably approving— excuse me, reporting H.R. 3168 As amended to the House. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported without objection to the motion to reconsider as laid on the table.

Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8437, The Geopower Act. The clerk will report the bill. H.R. 8437, To advance next generation geothermal electricity.

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill?

Any further discussion on the underlying bill? There's no further discussion on the underlying bill. We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Begich of Alaska. The clerk shall report Begich, A&S.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8437 Offered by Mr. Begich. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize Representative Begich of Alaska for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.

Chair. I rise today to offer this amendment in the nature of a substitute for H.R. 8437, The Geothermal Power Opportunity with Expanded Regions Act, or the Geopower Act. Mr. Chairman, the geothermal— geothermal is baseload power. It runs around the clock regardless of weather, season, or time of day.

The resource itself has never been the problem. The problem has been the cost and risk of drilling into geologies where no one has previously proven a resource. The Geopower Act takes that on directly. It sets up a milestone-based geothermal demonstration program at the Department of Energy aimed at next-generation geothermal systems in low permeability and impermeable reservoirs.— the kind of geology that falls outside the traditional hydrothermal zones we've relied on out in the West. Financing is tied to technical and financial milestones rather than upfront grants, which protects taxpayers, and it requires at least 3 projects in at least 3 states with at least 3 separate sponsors generating data in diverse geologies.

Public investment rarely produces the kind of hard, publicly available drilling and reservoir data that private capital needs before will commit to the next project. This legislation is designed to break a specific deadlock. No one drills because no one has proven the geology, and no one proves the geology because drilling without more certainty costs too much. Milestone-based financing is designed to help break that cycle. The bill also prioritizes projects on or near Indian land, which puts ultra-rural communities in geothermal-rich corridors squarely in scope.

A successful demonstration near Unalaska or Akutan, both adjacent to active volcano systems, could change the energy economies of entire regions. Less diesel dependence, less supply chain vulnerability, and less energy poverty in some of the most remote areas of North America. Mr. Chairman, this committee has a strong record on American energy leadership, and the Geopower Act extends that record. The bill is fiscally responsible. It is performance-based, and it opens the door for rural and remote communities that have long sought affordable, reliable power.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentleman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment?

I recognize Mr. Self for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8437. DOE already has authority to support geothermal research and demonstration projects.

This bill adds another federal financing program and authorizes up to $150 million per year, compared to $21 million per year for the prior demonstration program. That's more than a 7-fold increase in spending. And taxpayers should not be forced to finance projects that the bill itself says may attract significant private investment. I urge my colleagues to reject the amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back.

Gentleman yields. Any further discussion on the amendment? Mr. Van Epps. Oh, I'm sorry.

I called you by the wrong name, James. I'm sorry. No problem, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gallagher from California. I'd I want to voice my support for the amendment and the underlying legislation, Mr. Chairman.

We know the power of geothermal energy out in California. We have the Geysers Project in Northern California, which has been a great source of renewable power in the north. Many of our municipal jurisdictions rely on that power, and I think it has the great potential to provide much more affordable renewable power in California. And so we do need to have these investments. You know, we right now provide less than 1% of U.S. electricity is by geothermal, but we have the opportunity to up that.

Recent advances in drilling technologies have expanded this potential far beyond traditional geothermal regions, and as the author of this amendment just pointed out, you know, there's great potential there if we're allowed to go and explore this.. And this amendment would help create this milestone-based demonstration program that helps de-risk the deployment and commercialization of next-generation geothermal electricity. If we're going to ensure that we have affordable energy prices, affordable power, we need— we can't put all our eggs in one basket as we've done in California. We need to be looking at very different and diverse energy sources, and geothermal is definitely one of them. Uh, it would prioritize projects located in regions with limited or no existing electricity generation.

You know, many of our rural areas that need this vital power, and, you know, as I said, could be the corridors for, uh, this new geothermal resource. Uh, and also prioritizing capacity greater than 30 megawatts. You know, we want to do these projects and and have big projects that help provide that kind of power that we are going to need. And so I am supportive of this. I think we need to scale up our geothermal energy projects nationwide.

But I think this has the potential to be very helpful in California, where we have some of the highest energy prices in the nation. So I thank the author for the amendment and for this underlying legislation. I will be supporting it today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.

Thank you, Mr. Gallagher. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, we will proceed with the amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment 114.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8437 Offered by Ms. Bonamici. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I want to make sure I'm talking about the right amendment here. This is the— which one? The financing. Okay, terrific. Yeah, I have 2 amendments.

Thank you for your indulgence. Geothermal energy is a clean source that, as my colleague Mr. Begich pointed out, can run all day in every season. The Department of Energy's own analysis projects that enhanced geothermal systems could supply up to 90 gigawatts of baseload power by 2050. 50. That's enough to power tens of millions of American homes with reliable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Accomplishing that level of power generation starts with demonstrating geothermal project success. The milestone-based geothermal demonstration program this bill creates seeks to leverage innovative financing to support these projects, including transactions between the Department of Energy and industry leaders. These financing methods have shown to quickly scale emerging technologies in other sectors, but they often lack standard accounting for outcomes and cost to understand what works and why. So my amendment would direct the Department of Energy to report on what milestones the selected projects meet, how much private capital they attract alongside federal investment. These metrics will help project agency officials, project developers, and community leaders near demonstration sites better define success so we can scale geothermal energy and market and do it responsibly.

So I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Bonamici Amendment 114.

All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

Next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment 115. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8437. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Bonamici for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Oregon has been part of the story of American geothermal innovation for more than a decade. Since 2010, the Department of Energy has partnered partnered with researchers at the Newberry Volcano site in Central Oregon on some of the earliest work in the country to prove that enhanced geothermal systems can work in hard, low-permeability rock. Oregon State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and GE Global Research all contributed their expertise to that effort.

Central Oregon took a chance on unproven technology when few others would, and that willingness has led to continued has continued to attract advanced geothermal demonstration projects. That kind of research partnership also brings lasting benefits to the rural communities that host it through workforce development, skilled jobs, and long-term investment in the local economy. My amendment would direct the Department of Energy to prioritize project sites where the federal government has already invested in this type of research to leverage the years of geologic data, infrastructure, and partnership ships built at places like Newberry. Oregon helped pioneer this technology. As enhanced— as enhanced geothermal systems develop novel techniques like laser-based heating for superhot rocks, project and asset continuity will improve predictability for future projects.

So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Any further discussion on the amendment?

If there's no further discussion, the question is on the adoption of Bonamici Amendment 115. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. No.

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of the amendment of the nature of a substitute as amended to H.R. 8437. All those in favor say aye.

Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted.

A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 8437, The GEO Power Act, as amended to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting H.R. 8437 As amended to the House. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported. And without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.

Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 9326, The USA Act. The clerk will report the bill. H.R. 9326, To promote United States leadership in technical standards by directing the National—.

Without objection, the bill is considered The bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill?

Mr. Webster, you are recognized for 5 minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir.

So the Utilize Standards for the All Act strengthens the U.S. leadership by advancing a private sector-led voluntary consensus technically— technical standards process built on strong public-private partnerships. This approach NIST is the cornerstone of our American standardization system. The bill directs NIST to coordinate across federal agencies, ensuring effective cooperation with private sector stakeholders to advance U.S. interest in global standards development. U.S. establishes a pilot program to support the host standards meeting in the United States, thereby increasing U.S. Participation and influence in international standards body.

I want to thank Representative Obernolte for his leadership, dedication in co-leading this bill, which is vital for maintaining U.S. competitiveness and security in emerging technology and sectors. I urge my colleagues to support the USA Act. Yield back.

Does any other member wish to be recognized to speak on the amendment? No, I'm not on the bill. I mean, excuse me, on the bill, underlying bill. I apologize. Mr.

Self, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9326, The USA Act, strengthens American leadership in technical standards for artificial intelligence other emerging technology. Enough said.

We've seen some media reports in the last couple of days. I think this is vital, and I yield back. Okay, thank you very much. Is there any further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments.

I'm sorry, Ms. McClain Delaney. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also strongly support the U.S. leadership in technical standards at NIST and the Department of State in this forum, but also in terms of all of our international International forums, resources like this are so incredibly important in coordination. And so, I would strongly support it, having seen it while I was in the last administration at NTIA and how we need these resources across agencies, given the fact that many of our global partner— our global entities like China and others are so leaning into these type of resources. I would further state that we need to keep in mind that the World Radio Conference and other of these international forums at the ITU are increasingly needing support and resources, and that our attendance is vital.

So I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there no further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Webster of Florida.

The clerk shall please report Webster A&S amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9326. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. And I now recognize Representative Webster of Florida for 5 minutes. Thank you, Chairman.

The A&S for the U.S. Act reinforces the need to advance voluntary consensus recognizes private sector-led technical standards built on strong private partnerships and promotes their adoption as globally recognized international standards. This ensures the United States, not Beijing, remains the global leader in setting international standards. I urge my colleagues to support the ANS. Yield back. Gentleman yields.

Is there further discussion on the amendment?

Hearing none, we will proceed with amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Foushee of North Carolina. Clerk shall report Foushee Amendment 087. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9326.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative Representative Foushee of North Carolina for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment ensures appropriate procedures are in place in accordance with all relevant laws to ensure that sensitive information is safeguarded against improper release. It preserves information sharing while preventing controlled unclassified information and other protected material from being inadvertently published online. I urge my colleagues to support this common-sense amendment, and with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?

If there's no further discussion on the amendment, the question is on adoption of Foushee Amendment 087. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Foushee of North Carolina. The clerk shall report Foushee Amendment 086. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9312. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I now recognize Representative Foushee of North Carolina for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment increases the participation of U.S. stakeholders including academia and civil society organizations in the standards development process established by this bill. Colleges and universities, nonprofits, civil society organizations, and research institutions bring valuable technical expertise and perspectives that can help ensure emerging technology standards reflect American values and respond to the needs of the American people. This is particularly important to communities like in North Carolina's 4th Congressional District, home to the Research Triangle Park, where world-class researchers and institutions have much to contribute but may lack the resources needed to participate fully in international standards activities. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back.

The woman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment?

There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Foushee Amendment 086. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. Clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment 113. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9326. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I now recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. American-led technological standards are strongest when the broadest range of experts help write them. The countries and companies that set technical standards for major technologies, including artificial intelligence, will shape how this technology works for the rest of the century. For domains as wide-reaching as AI, these standards range from software, hardware, and governance safety rules that protect consumers, interoperability rules that decide which products can complete— compete on a level playing field, and data management guardrails that preserve user privacy. American— America's edge in this competition should not come from a handful of dominant players alone.

It should come from the full range of our innovation economy and those affected by it, including small businesses, universities and community leaders who navigate technology gaps every day. Oregon is home to the Silicon Forest, the semiconductor research and development corridor in the Pacific Northwest that depends on exactly that type of open, competitive technology ecosystem to thrive. NIST's own research confirms that this full range of experts is not yet fully in the room when AI standards get written. In its July 2024 plan for global engagement on AI standards, NIST found that industry giants dominated participation, but nonprofit and academic voices are often absent from the process, largely because of resource constraints. So my amendment would simply require NIST to identify the barriers these experts experience to participate in AI standards development and offer recommendations to address them.

This will help smaller businesses, universities, and nonprofits gain a seat at the table so that the standards that guide this technology reflect the full strength of American innovation, not just its biggest players. So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment.

The question is on adoption of Bonamici Amendment 113. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment 112. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9326. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Participation in technical standards development should depend on what an organization can contribute. On the size of its travel budget. When standards bodies meet to decide how emerging technologies will be operated, tested, and kept safe, the businesses and researchers in that room shape rules that affect the entire country. NIST has documented that industry giants dominate standards development participation, and small and medium-sized businesses, universities, and nonprofit groups are historically underrepresented.

This is often for a simple reason.— the cost of technical experts across the country or across the world to participate. And that disparity can stifle the collaboration that keeps American research competitive. So my amendment would allow standards meeting hosts in the United States to use cost-sharing fee reductions and travel support to bring experts from small businesses, universities, and nonprofits into the room so the voices shaping the future of technology reflect the full breadth of American innovation. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back. I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?

There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamici Amendment 112. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Okay. Hearing none, the question is on adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended to H.R. 9326.

All those in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted.

A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 9326, The USA Act, as amended to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting HR 9326 as amended to the House. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed, nay.

The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8981, The Scale Biology Act. The clerk will report the bill. H.R. 8981, To establish in the National Institute of Standards and Technology a program of measuring—.

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill?

The gentlewoman from Maryland. It's her bill. It's your bill. Okay. I'd like to thank the chair and ranking member for this critical legislation that is coming up for consideration this morning.

As we learned in our hearing last year on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotech seminal report and their recommendations to Congress, biotechnology stands at a very critical juncture. The policies that we advance today will shape the next century of scientific discoveries and determine whether the U.S. can keep its competitive edge. Most of us never think about weights and measurements, and that's exactly the point. When we pull up to a gas station, we don't often wonder whether the number displayed is telling the truth about how many gallons we're putting in the tank. We have the trust because we have a system of standards.

Standards. The same is true when we buy a pound of produce at the store, catch a flight timed to the very minute, or check a stock price down to the second. We rely on uniform standards to be in nearly everything we do, precisely because we don't have to think about them and because they build trust in everyday life. Today, biotechnology lacks the kind of common measurement and standards for biological data that we have in other disciplines. Practitioners don't have a universal common language for how they verify, measure, and replicate their work.

This gap severely limits the interoperability of existing and potential new use cases, forcing industry actors to spend more time curating data than really moving innovation. We know how to sequence and synthesize DNA. Researchers have just announced, as was cited by our ranking member, the creation of a fully synthetic cell, the spud cell. Now, being a farmer's daughter from Idaho, an Idaho potato farmer's daughter, and I love potatoes, creating more spud cells seemed like a really good thing to do, right? But we have the tools and researchers of the past that could only— that the past historians could only dream and we must do our part by elevating development of biological standards and measurements as a key statutory mission of our scientific enterprise.

And this is where the importance of biometrology, the development and use of biotech standards and measurements becomes clear. And there's no better place for this work than NIST in my district. A program dedicated in law to researching and advancing a suite of standards and frameworks a framework for biotech development that will create the unifying language for industry, for consumers, and for regulators. Uniform standards will improve research, ensure reliability, and expand collaboration and adoption of new technologies and products. As we look to the future, the same standards that make biological data trustworthy will determine whether the U.S. leads the next wave of innovation, the convergence of biotech and artificial and artificial intelligence, AI, which will transform every sector across our economy, from health to ag to biomanufacturing to defense.

Countries that master the relationship between AI and biotech innovation will be in the best position to lead and harness the power to shape how these technologies will be used for generations to come. That is why the U.S. must treat biological data as a strategic national resource. Or receding global biotech leadership to China. Just like ChatGPT is trained on large amounts of text, the AI models known for biological design tools need high-quality biological data to learn from, and high-quality data depends on common standards. Securing U.S. biotech leadership in the 21st century demands that we invest in the research and development and the R&D that will underpin what is estimated to be up to $30 trillion.

That's right, $30 trillion in economic value by 2015. The Scale Biology Act will do just that. The bill will create a biometrology lab program at NIST to serve as a dedicated home for the kind of work that our measurement disciplines have had for many decades. The bill directs NIST to conduct the underlying research, convene different stakeholders from industry, academia, and across government to move us closer to unlocking the bioeconomy. It charges NIST with developing the technical roadmap and identifying the standards we need to make emerging biotech able to come to market and to address both consumer safety and security concerns.

In short, by strengthening the measurement science that underpins the bioeconomy, the Scale Biology Act will accelerate innovation, improve reliability, interoperability of our biological datasets and reinforce and underpin American leadership in engineering biology, in engineering biology and biomanufacturing. With that, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the underlying bill? Ms. Ross from North Carolina, you're recognized.

Thank you very much, Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren, for holding this important and efficient markup. I'm pleased to speak in support of the Scale Biology Act, which my colleagues Congresswoman McClain Delaney and Congressman Obernolte introduced in May. As we've heard, this bipartisan bill will establish a new federal program at NIST dedicated to biometrology. Our bio economy continues to grow and we need reliable, measured science and consensus-based standards to embolden innovation, enhance operability, and accelerate biotech commercialization. I'm proud to represent the Research Triangle, one of the largest life sciences hubs in the country.

The Triangle has grown into a full-spectrum biotech ecosystem powered by some of the world's top research universities and institutions. The Triangle is also home to many biotech leaders, innovators in research, health, and entrepreneurship who are working to move this science forward. This bill becomes before the committee at a critical moment for U.S. biotech. The Trump administration has greatly disrupted our science and technology enterprise by restructuring critical agencies, firing experienced scientists, and cutting research funding. This all not only hurts the U.S. biotech industry, but it enhances our competitor, China.

This bill will reinforce our nation's leadership in engineering biology and biomanufacturing. I support the underlying bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields. Is there further discussion on the underlying bill?

Ms. Lofgren, you're recognized. No. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. She's turned on her bike.

I thought she wanted to speak. Is there no further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. First amendment on the roster is the amendment of the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Lofgren of California. Thank you, Mr.

Chair. I'll report the bill amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8981. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I recognize Representative Lofgren for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The bill— and I want to thank the bill sponsors, Representatives McClain-Delaney and Obernolte. I offer this amendment that makes a technical correction to the bill, but also with this ANS, the program does not have funds authorized. I actually disagree with that, but I understand that the majority does operate within the constraints imposed by its majority. And so in the spirit of comedy, I'm offering this amendment with the notation that the— you, Mr. Chairman, and the majority have offered to work with us so that NIST will have resources to carry out the activities authorized under this bill.

And with that, Mr. Chairman, in the spirit of bipartisanship, I yield back. Gentlewoman yields. Yes.

If there is no further discussion on the amendment, we will proceed with the amendments to the ANS in the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative McClain Delaney of Maryland. Clerk shall report McClain Delaney Amendment 104. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8981.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative Representative McClain Delaney for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I echo many of the comments that were just put forth by our leading— I like Representative Lofgren. This amendment will restore the authorization levels in H.R. 8981 To what they were when I introduced the bill, nearly $350 million over 5 years to help NIST stand up the biometrology lab and carry out the director's of the legislation. I'm proud to represent the expert researchers, techni— technicians and staff at NIST's Gaithersburg office.

And I've met with the experts who would be asked to build this program. I believe that robust funding is essential to ensure that this bill lives up to what we're promising today— real enduring standards. I appreciate the partnership with the majority as we prepare to mark up this bill and look forward to working together to ensure that the NIST workforce in Gaithersburg has the resources required to stand up the lab. But as there is still debate, as was just referenced, as to current funding levels, and all stakeholders must continue to work together to solidify the necessary, you know, support for the directives of this bill, I am withdrawing it, but highlighting that support and further support is still needed. So I appreciate again how the majority and minority staffs have really worked worked so well together.

And with that, Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my amendment and yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. The amendment is withdrawn. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments?

Hearing none, the question is on adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8981. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted.

A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 8981, The Scaled Biology Act, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting H.R. 8981 As amended to the House. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make any necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill. So ordered. Members will have 2 calendar days to submit supplemental minority or for additional views on these measures. And with no further business before the committee, the committee now stands adjourned. Thank you.