Date: 2016-07-11
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 5639. the National Institute of Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016. This bill was developed in a bipartisan manner and contains important provisions supporting NISTs key role in increasing the productivity of smalland mediumsized manufacturers. in training early career scientists and promoting U.S. innovation across all sectors of our economy. NISTs core mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science. standards. and technology. Measurement science and standards ensure that technologies and products we rely on daily in our homes. our workplace. and in every mode of transportation are safe. effective. and reliable. U.S. leadership and standards development also help U.S. businesses thrive in the evergrowing global market. In pursuit of its mission. NIST partners with the private sector and with other government agencies in precompetitive research and technology development in countless areas of national interest. This littleknown agency plays a critical role. and in many cases a leadership role. in cybersecurity. forensic science. engineering biology. disaster resilience. advanced manufacturing. and advanced communications. just to name a few. In the area of cybersecurity. NIST led the development of the widely praised Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity and leads the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education. The Framework is a voluntary guidance to help public and private owners of critical infrastructure organizations better manage their cybersecurity risk. In forensic science. NIST does important measurement science and facilitates standards development for forensic evidence. This week. I will be reintroducing my Forensic Science and Standards Act because the justice system must be just and fair for all. including the wrongfully accused. NIST is also at the forefront of engineering biology. an emerging technology. Last year. I introduced the Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2015 with my Science Committee colleague. Mr. SENSENBRENNER. This would establish a framework for greater coordination of Federal investments in engineering biology research and ensure U.S. leadership in applications of this research to energy. manufacturing. agriculture. and health. H.R. 5639 supports NISTs strong partnerships with the private sector. other government agencies. and universities to develop and apply the technology. measurements. and standards needed for new and improved products and services. The bill includes measures to ensure that NIST labs are best organized to meet the agencys mission needs. that Federal agencies cooperate and share information on standards as needed. that NIST helps train and attract our Nations best and brightest measurement scientists. and that even our Nations smallest manufacturers have access to NIST resources and expertise. While I am supporting this bill. I do want to make a point about the importance of authorizing funds for all of these activities I have just described. As an authorizing committee. the Science. Space. and Technology Committee should make an informed recommendation for funding the agencys critical work and the human and physical infrastructure that supports that work. NISTs aging infrastructure is crumbling and creating safety issues. NIST struggles to compete with the private sector in attracting top. new technical talent. Congress continually expands the responsibilities and authorities of this important agency. If we want the agency to be successful. we must be willing to fund it. I support this bill today for what it does to encourage NISTs public and private collaborative efforts. however. I look forward to providing funding recommendations in the near future for all of the important work that NIST does to promote innovation and maintain U.S. competitiveness. I want to thank Representative MOOLENAAR for introducing this bill and Chairman SMITH for moving it to the floor. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.