Nomination Hearing
10:00 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nomination hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2021 to consider the presidential nomination of Dr. Eric Lander to be Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Witness:
- Dr. Eric S. Lander, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
Hearing Details:
Thursday, April 29, 2021
10:00 A.M.
Full Committee (Hybrid)
SR-253
This hearing will take place in the Russell Senate Office Building 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.
*In order to maintain physical distancing as advised by the Office of the Attending Physician, seating for credentialed press will be limited throughout the course of the markup. Due to current limited access to the Capitol complex, the general public is encouraged to view this markup via the live stream.
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Minority Statement
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Ranking Member Roger Wicker
Minority Statement
Ranking Member Roger Wicker
Thank you very much Senator Duckworth, this is an important hearing on the nomination of Dr. Eric Lander to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). I commend Senator Cantwell for allowing the committee the necessary time to prepare and give a full and thorough review of Dr. Lander’s record and qualifications. There is no doubt he has led a long and notable career as a bright and dedicated research scientist. However, as Senator Duckworth has said our extensive evaluation of Dr. Lander’s record has brought to light a number of concerns that deserve further examination by this committee. As Senator Duckworth further said I hope his testimony today will provide clarity on these topics.
The Director of the OSTP has been a critically important position since it was first created. The person occupying this role directly advises the President on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of a wide range of federal government activity. In addition, it falls to the Director of the OSTP to coordinate science and technology policy across all federal agencies. Notably, under the Industries of the Future Act – which I had the opportunity to author and see enacted last congress – the Director of the OSTP is required to submit a report on federal government research and development investments, infrastructure, and workforce development. The report must include a plan to advance U.S. leadership in industries of the future such as artificial intelligence and quantum science, as well as a blueprint for boosting annual spending in this area to $10 billion by 2025. Implementing this new law is one of the many responsibilities of the Director of the OSTP. This position has been made all the more significant by the President’s decision to elevate it to the Cabinet level – hence the need for a comprehensive review by this committee.
I want to thank Dr. Lander for his commitment to public service and for appearing before us today. I want to welcome our two colleagues from the commonwealth of Massachusetts. I expect this hearing will be informative and useful to the committee. Thank you Madam Chair.
Testimony
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Dr. Eric S. Lander
Nominee to be DirectorOffice of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)Download Testimony (115.56 KB)
