[Pages H1207-H1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DOE AND NASA INTERAGENCY RESEARCH COORDINATION ACT

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1368) to provide for Department of Energy and National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration research and development 
coordination, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H. R. 1368

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``DOE and NASA Interagency 
     Research Coordination Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND 
                   SPACE ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   COORDINATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this section 
     referred to as the ``Secretary'') and the Administrator of 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Administrator'') may carry out, 
     as practicable, cross-cutting and collaborative research and 
     development activities to support the advancement of 
     Department of Energy and National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration mission requirements and priorities. The 
     Secretary and Administrator, in accordance with subsection 
     (e), may make competitive awards to carry out such 
     activities.
       (b) Memoranda of Understanding.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator shall coordinate the activities under 
     subsection (a) through memoranda of understanding, or other 
     appropriate interagency agreements.
       (c) Coordination.--In carrying out the activities under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary and the Administrator may carry 
     out the following:
       (1) Conduct collaborative research and development 
     activities in a variety of focus areas that may include the 
     following:
       (A) Propulsion systems and components, including nuclear 
     thermal and nuclear electric propulsion, radioisotope power 
     systems, thermoelectric generators, advanced nuclear fuels, 
     and heater units.
       (B) Modeling and simulation, machine learning, data 
     assimilation, large scale data analytics, and predictive 
     analysis in order to optimize algorithms for mission-related 
     purposes.
       (C) Fundamental high energy physics, astrophysics, and 
     cosmology, including the nature of dark energy and dark 
     matter, in accordance with section 305 of the Department of 
     Energy Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18643).
       (D) Fundamental earth and environmental sciences, in 
     accordance with section 306 of the Department of Energy 
     Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18644) and section 
     60501 of title 51, United States Code.
       (E) Quantum information sciences, including quantum 
     computing and quantum network infrastructure, in accordance 
     with sections 403 and 404 of the National Quantum Initiative 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 8853 and 8854).
       (F) Radiation health effects, in accordance with section 
     306 of the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 18644).
       (G) Ground- and space-based technology necessary for the 
     transmission to the Earth's surface of solar energy collected 
     in space.
       (H) Other areas of potential research and development 
     collaboration the Secretary and the Administrator determine 
     important to achieving agency missions and objectives.
       (2) Develop methods to accommodate large voluntary data 
     sets on space and aeronautical information on high-
     performance computing systems with variable quality and 
     scale.
       (3) Promote collaboration and data and information sharing 
     between the Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, the National Laboratories, and other 
     appropriate entities by providing the necessary access and 
     secure data and information transfer capabilities.
       (4) Support the Administration's access to the Department's 
     research infrastructure and capabilities, as practicable.
       (d) Agreements.--In carrying out the activities under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary and the Administrator are 
     authorized to--
       (1) carry out reimbursable and non-reimbursable agreements 
     between the Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration; and

[[Page H1208]]

       (2) collaborate with other Federal agencies, as 
     appropriate.
       (e) Merit Review Process.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator shall ensure any competitive awards made to 
     carry out the activities under section (a) shall follow all 
     appropriate laws and agency policies, including the 
     following:
       (1) Selection by merit-review-based processes.
       (2) Consideration of applications from Federal agencies, 
     National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, non-
     profit institutions, and other appropriate entities.
       (f) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary and the 
     Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a 
     report detailing the following:
       (1) Interagency research and development coordination 
     activities between the Department of Energy and the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration carried out under this 
     section.
       (2) How such coordination activities expand the technical 
     capabilities of the Department and the Administration.
       (3) Collaborative research and development achievements.
       (4) Areas of future mutually beneficial activities, 
     including potential applications of clean energy 
     technologies, such as marine energy.
       (5) Continuation of coordination activities between the 
     Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration.
       (g) Research Security.--The activities authorized under 
     this section shall be applied in a manner consistent with 
     subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, 
     Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B Public 
     Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Babin) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 1368, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1368, the DOE and NASA 
Interagency Research Coordination Act.
  The Department of Energy and NASA have an extensive history of 
collaboration, which has enhanced both our understanding of the 
universe and our ability to explore well beyond our planet.
  The Voyager spacecrafts, which were launched more than 40 years ago 
and are now flying far beyond our own solar system in interstellar 
space, continue to operate with DOE's groundbreaking propulsion 
systems.
  This DOE-NASA partnership has driven and will continue to drive 
advancements in high-performance computing, keeping us at the forefront 
of research and development.
  Additionally, their collaborative work on nuclear energy is vital to 
establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon and next-generation 
in-space propulsion. However, these joint technological breakthroughs 
not only aid our space endeavors, but they also can be utilized here on 
Earth to increase global energy production from reliable energy 
resources.
  Furthermore, this partnership will help to propel satellite 
development, space situational awareness, and even planetary defense 
from near-Earth objects.
  In short, this bill enables two of our chief scientific agencies to 
do better work by tackling some of our most challenging scientific 
problems together.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Begich, for 
introducing this legislation. I also thank Representative Whitesides 
for cosponsoring it. This bipartisan bill earned unanimous support in 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and passed in the House 
last Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to once again support it on the 
floor today, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the DOE and NASA Interagency 
Research Coordination Act, H.R. 1368.
  The gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Whitesides), the vice ranking member of the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology, introduced this bill. It is another 
great bipartisan bill.
  These Members of Congress from the Western part of this Nation fully 
understand and appreciate what it means to have coordinated interagency 
activities on behalf of our competitive abilities. Enhancing this type 
of collaboration between the Department of Energy and the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration will have a multiplier effect on 
the creative, innovative, and inspiring work of these two agencies. It 
is an important tool in furthering agency missions and the Nation's 
goals in science and exploration.
  The Department of Energy and NASA's partnership is already 
demonstrating impressive results. For example, earlier this year, NASA 
and the DOE collaborated on selecting an award for continued industry 
work on a space microreactor design that could provide a supply of 
power for use on the Moon and beyond.
  Just last week, scientists posted new data from the Department of 
Energy's ground-based Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, providing 
insights on the mysterious dark energy of the universe that NASA's 
science satellites also study from space.

                              {time}  1530

  We are on the tipping point of major things. We are working on and 
seeing efficiency breathe its way into our government. The whole deal 
here is that if we get H.R. 1368, the Department of Energy and NASA 
will build on their longstanding partnership and do even more. They 
will save the taxpayer money, and they will advance this Nation. They 
will showcase that we are not getting in the way of where we want to go 
as a country because we are trimming bureaucracy.
  The act authorizes the agencies to carry out cross-cutting and 
collaborative R&D activities and identifies nuclear power and 
propulsion, high energy physics and astrophysics, Earth and 
environmental sciences, and quantum information sciences as potential 
areas for joint activity.
  I only hope that the citizens of America are tuned into this debate 
in this moment because this is really exciting.
  The bill directs DOE and NASA to coordinate activities through MOUs, 
memorandum of understanding. The legislation authorizes the use of 
reimbursable and nonreimbursable agreements. Again, the effective 
utilization of the taxpayer dollar of which we here in the United 
States Congress are stewards of.
  In addition, I will be providing direction on a merit review process 
between the two agencies, reporting and compliance with research 
security requirements in carrying out collaborative activities pursued 
under the act. This is a practical and awe-inspiring bill to maximize 
the research and development activities and capabilities and results of 
our Federal agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, I enthusiastically urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on 
H.R. 1368.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich).
  Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1368, the 
Department of Energy and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act.
  This legislation authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy and the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out research and 
development activities focused on the advancement of shared DOE and 
NASA mission priorities. This includes R&D in critical technology areas 
like nuclear thermal propulsion systems, astrophysics, radiation health 
effects, machine learning, and more.
  DOE and its predecessor, the Atomic Energy Commission, have a long 
and successful history of interagency collaboration with NASA. Over the 
last 60 years, this relationship has evolved from radioisotope power 
systems to new areas of research such as quantum information and 
environmental sciences.
  This interagency relationship has greatly benefited my home State of

[[Page H1209]]

Alaska. The North Slope of Alaska is home to the Department of Energy's 
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement, or ARM, user facility, which gathers 
data pertaining to clouds and radiation processes in cold environments 
and high altitudes.
  Given its strengths, NASA has partnered with this DOE facility to 
conduct research in areas such as aerosols. In addition, any 
atmospheric data from ARM stands to benefit the Pacific Spaceport 
Complex on Kodiak Island in my home State of Alaska, which supports 
commercial and government suborbital and orbital launch missions, as 
well.
  Additionally, H.R. 1368 requires the Secretary and the Administrator 
to implement research security provisions consistent with the CHIPS and 
Science Act of 2022. Given the transformational nature of these 
emerging technologies and their impact on national security, this 
language is necessary to protect our investments and breakthroughs from 
hostile powers such as the Chinese Communist Party.
  I thank my colleague, Mr. Whitesides of California, for working with 
me on this important legislation and continuing the bipartisan 
tradition of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1368 is a good governance and commonsense bill, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from the West, Mr. Begich and Mr. 
Whitesides, along with Mr. Kennedy, who appear to be three freshman 
Members of Congress, have come together in an important way to 
introduce H.R. 1368. I continue to urge a ``yes'' vote on the DOE and 
NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1368, the DOE and NASA Interagency 
Research Act is a smart piece of legislation that will ensure that we 
stay competitive in the global race to return humans to the Moon and 
then send crewed missions on to Mars.
  Without key partnerships like this, we would be unable to take the 
crucial steps in energy production and propulsion technologies 
necessary to extend our reach beyond Earth. I thank Representative 
Begich and Representative Whitesides for their leadership in moving 
this bill forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1368.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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