Who We Are We have jurisdiction over energy research, all federally owned or operated non-military energy laboratories, astronautical research and development, civil aviation, environmental research and development, marine research, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA, NSF, NWS, outer space, and other aspects of scientific research.
Lamar Smith represents the 21st Congressional District of Texas. He serves as Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee
13th term in Congress, Dana Rohrabacher represents California's scenic 48th District.
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Our HistoryOn October 4th in 1957, The Soviet Union launched the 1st satellite , named Sputnik 1, titling it the "Space Race". When the 85th congress came together in the year 1958, the first task was the creation of a select committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration. The Committee wrote a "Space Act", it established NASA. The Science and Astronautics committee was the first standing committee that was created in The House in 11 years and the very first since 1892 to be established in a new area of jurisdiction. The Committee’s jurisdiction included exploration and control of outer space, astronautical research and development, scientific research and development, science scholarships and legislation relating to scientific agencies.In 1974, the Committee’s name was changed to the "Committee on Science and Technology."
The Committee was given a "special oversight" function providing for exclusive responsibility among all Congressional Standing Committees to review and study, on a continuing basis, all laws, programs and government activities involving a Federal non-military research and development. In The Committee's early years, it was a very important partner in the Apollo Program that led to a man landing on the moon and strengthening the science education and research. After the Committee’s role expanded, the Committee has played an important role in much of the legislation Congress. |