Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R) was named the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology within the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which also includes federal science research, university research and partnerships, intergovernmental research and development, intellectual property policy that includes civilian use of defense technologies, STEM education, international technology trade and the National Science Foundation.
In a statement, Waltz praised “Ranking Member Lucas for the opportunity to lead my Republican colleagues on this subcommittee as we look to secure taxpayer funded research and technologies from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.” His goal is to “use this position to build on Office of Science and Technology policy efforts to safeguard America’s intellectual property and confront the CCP’s wholesale theft from our research institutions.”
The announcement comes at a time when Florida Republicans have been critical of the Chinese Communist Party, which includes moving the 2022 Olympics away from China.
Frank Lucas (R), the former Ranking Member, commented that Waltz has quickly become “a leader in the effort to support America’s technological development.” He added that Waltz has “worked to shine light on threats to our scientific enterprise and he’s supported legislation to keep us at the cutting edge of research and development.”
“I look forward to working with him to keep America competitive,” Lucas concluded.
