Research and Technology

The Research and Technology Subcommittee is one of five subcommittees within the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. It handles a specialized slice of the parent committee's broad jurisdiction over federal science and technology matters. The subcommittee focuses on foundational research policy, STEM education, technological innovation, and standards-setting—areas critical to American competitiveness. It has direct oversight of major federal science agencies including the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, along with research programs at the Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security.

The subcommittee's jurisdiction spans diverse research domains including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, nanotechnology, biomedical research, and earthquake engineering. It also addresses policies around technology transfer, intellectual property protections, small business innovation, and international scientific cooperation. The subcommittee was restructured in 2017 to consolidate previously separate panels, streamlining oversight of the innovation pipeline from basic research to practical applications.

Chaired by Representative Jay Obernolte (R-CA) with Ranking Member Haley M. Stevens (D-MI), the 12-member subcommittee conducts hearings and reviews legislation before it reaches the full committee. Recent hearings have examined artificial intelligence policy, quantum science and technology, research security implementation, and surface transportation research. The subcommittee prepares the groundwork on these critical science and technology issues, though only the full committee can report bills to the House floor.