Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act," authorizes the Secretary of Energy and the NASA Administrator to engage in collaborative research and development. These agencies may work together to support their specific mission requirements and priorities. The agencies are permitted to make competitive awards to carry out these activities through a merit-review process. Collaboration can include various focus areas such as propulsion systems, quantum information sciences, and earth sciences. The agencies may also use memoranda of understanding and interagency agreements to coordinate their efforts. Finally, the Act requires a report to specific Congressional committees within two years of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The act directly facilitates and funds collaborative scientific research between DOE and NASA.
- Scored +5
Does this put more into space exploration?
The bill supports NASA's mission through propulsion and data-driven research.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill focuses on space-based solar energy and clean energy technologies.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Advancement of Scientific Knowledge: The bill allows for collaborative research in areas like high energy physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, which could advance our understanding of the nature of dark energy and dark matter (Section 2(c)(1)(C)).
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Technological Innovation in Energy: The Act includes focus areas for propulsion systems, including nuclear thermal and electric propulsion, as well as technology for transmitting solar energy collected in space to Earth (Section 2(c)(1)(A) and (G)).
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Support for High-Tech Data Capabilities: The bill aims to develop methods to handle large, voluntary data sets on high-performance computing systems, which could optimize mission-related purposes through machine learning and predictive analysis (Section 2(c)(1)(B) and (2)).
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Opportunities for Research Institutions: Competitive awards may be granted to various entities, including institutions of higher education and non-profit institutions, through a merit-review-based process (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The act directly facilitates and funds collaborative scientific research between DOE and NASA. Does this put more into space exploration? — The bill supports NASA's mission through propulsion and data-driven research.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill focuses on space-based solar energy and clean energy technologies. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill targets solar energy transmission and advanced propulsion technologies. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Collaboration on earth and environmental sciences can improve environmental knowledge.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill supports research opportunities for institutions of higher education.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill advances scientific research through interagency coordination.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill supports technological innovation which can drive long-term economic growth.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a report to Congress on coordination activities. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases interagency cooperation and resource sharing between federal departments.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The emphasis on quantum information sciences and data analytics can bolster cybersecurity capabilities.
- 8/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3/24/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1207-1208)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1207-1208)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1368.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1207-1209)
- Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike KennedyRepublican · Utah
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California