News Releases

Sen. Moran Gives Remarks at First Conference Committee on USICA/COMPETES Legislation

Calls for NASA Reauthorization in Bipartisan Innovation and Competition Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today gave remarks at the first conference committee meeting on the bipartisan innovation and competition legislation. During his remarks, Sen. Moran called for the passage of the NASA Authorization Act, which was included in the Senate-passed United States Innovation and Competition Act.

“It is also important that we work to strengthen our entrepreneur and STEM workforces that our nation relies on, as well as pass the NASA Authorization Act, which was included within the Senate legislation,” said Sen. Moran. “Over the past several years, I have worked to ensure NASA missions have continued to progress forward without a NASA authorization. However, when you can present a bipartisan authorization followed up with the funding of programs, it sends a strong signal to the agency, industry and our global partners that we remain committed in accomplishing our stated missions. This is especially critical as our adversaries continue to advance within the space domain.”

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Opening Remarks

Remarks as prepared:

“Thank you all for being here and for your participation in this important discussion.

“While I am the lead Republican on the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee, I am also the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee which funds many of the implementing agencies for the programs contained in this prospective legislation, including the Department of Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.

“I am pleased we are starting the conference process on our chambers’ respective competition and innovation bills. This Committee is tasked with making certain our country is out-competing adversarial nations, including China, which we can do by: authorizing necessary investments to remain at the forefront of technological research and development; appropriating funds to bring semiconductor manufacturing and the downstream semiconductor ecosystem back to the US; increasing the transparency and resiliency of our supply chains; and, enlisting the intelligence and productivity of all Americans, including in the middle of the country, via the EPSCoR program.

“It is also important that we work to strengthen our entrepreneur and STEM workforces that our nation relies on, as well as pass the NASA Authorization Act, which was included within the Senate legislation.

“Over the past several years, I have worked to ensure NASA missions have continued to progress forward without a NASA authorization. However, when you can present a bipartisan authorization followed up with the funding of programs, it sends a strong signal to the agency, industry and our global partners that we remain committed in accomplishing our stated missions. This is especially critical as our adversaries continue to advance within the space domain.

“Additionally, while the bills provide immediate funding for the CHIPS Act and wireless development, the vast majority of programs include authorizations of discretionary appropriations.  

“For these programs to have any effect, funding must be secured in a future appropriations bill.

“One of the most critical aspects of the Senate’s competition bill was the bipartisan nature in which the legislation came together.

“In that spirit, I am pleased to be working with my colleague from Kansas, Representative Sharice Davids, as part of this Conference Committee, and look forward to working with all of my colleagues on this Committee toward agreement on a focused bill that reflects the research and development needs of our country.” 

# # #