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Democrats Block Passage of Feenstra Proposal Requiring Federal Agencies to Report to Congress

September 9, 2021

HULL, Iowa -- Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) proposed two more amendments during today’s House Science, Space, and Technology Committee markup on the Democrats’ reckless $3.5 trillion Tax and Spend Spree. One of the proposals would have leveled the playing field for students in states like Iowa who are interested in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) research programs, and the other proposal would have required the federal agencies receiving funding in this bill to report future plans to Congress. Both of these commonsense proposals were blocked by Democrats.

“I am disappointed that Democrats blocked my reasonable proposals to level the playing field for STEM programs and to require federal agencies to inform Congress of their future plans to carry out research,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Instead, they continued plowing forward with this socialist spending spree with zero regard for the negative effect it will have on our economy and future generations. This massive bill recklessly infuses agencies with $45 billion in just five years. When the cash dries up, so does the research -- and we will have added even more to our national debt for projects that got nowhere. We should be focused on investing responsibly in long-term priorities, and that is what I will continue to work towards.”

The two proposals were:

Amendment to Bolster Research and STEM Education Activities: This proposal would ensure at least 20% of the research and education funding allocated in this bill would go towards states eligible for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). EPSCoR helps strengthen STEM education programs in 25 states, including Iowa. Right now, states eligible for EPSCoR grants receive less than 12% of all federal research funding. In comparison, the top five states for federal research funding, most of which are on the coasts, receive 40% of all funding. Feenstra’s proposal seeks to level the playing field.

Click here to watch Feenstra’s committee testimony on this amendment.

Amendment to Require Federal Agencies to Report to Congress: This proposal adds a requirement for all federal agencies that receive funding in this package to report to Congress on its plans to sustain any new programs or infrastructure after this bill expires. The funding being allocated in this bill is not sustainable and floods agencies with a one-time infusion of cash. Feenstra’s proposal will ensure agencies have a plan when this $45 billion slush fund dries up, so that programs and projects initiated under this bill do not come to grinding halt.

Click here to watch Feenstra’s committee testimony on this amendment.

Earlier today, the committee adopted two of Feenstra’s proposals that will expand research and development for biofuels technology.

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