Woonsocket Radio News Room

Amo to Support Climate Action, Defend Against GOP Attacks in New Committee Leadership Role

Congressman will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment in 119th Congress.

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) announced his new leadership role on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Environment. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over research at the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental standards, and climate change research and development, as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers the National Weather Service.

 

“Last Congress, I advocated for Rhode Island's leadership in the Blue Economy, a key sector that encompasses ocean research, marine manufacturing, and clean energy. I also highlighted the growing NOAA footprint in our state and introduced legislation to develop curriculum on artificial intelligence literacy,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This Congress, as a subcommittee ranking member under the leadership of Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren, I look forward to fighting dangerous Trump Administration and Congressional Republican proposals to reverse climate action and defund critical scientific research. We must oppose their efforts as we work to spur innovation and confront the complex challenges facing our generation.”

 

“I’m pleased that Congressman Gabe Amo has been selected to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren. “In his coastline district, Mr. Amo sees firsthand how important it is that we support our Blue Economy while protecting and preserving our oceans and coasts. That’s an incredibly valuable perspective to bring to our committee, especially now as Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Mr. Amo. Supporting the efforts that fall under the environment subcommittee, like bolstering federal climate research efforts, is more important now than ever.”

 

BACKGROUND
Congressman Amo has served on the House Committee on Science, and Technology Committee since December 11, 2023 when his appointment was announced by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

 

During his time on the committee, Congressman Amo has advocated for:

  1. Rhode Island’s Blue Economy through a district-wide tour of stakeholders — from marine manufacturing companies to offshore wind training programs to leading experts in ocean research and academia.
  2. Legislation to bring National Science Foundation funds to Rhode Island through his Blue Economy and Innovation Act.
  3. Clean energy in Rhode Island as the home of the nation’s first commercial offshore wind farm.
  4. Groundbreaking opportunities for Rhode Islanders to fund clean energy projects through the Inflation Reduction Act.
  5. Artificial intelligence literacy for Rhode Island K-12 students through his bipartisan Literacy in Future Technologies (LIFT) AI Act.
  6. Support for small- and medium-sized manufacturers in Rhode Island through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

 

The House Committee on Science Space and Technology has broad jurisdiction over many areas of non-defense Federal research and development (R&D). It has exclusive jurisdiction over the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The Committee also has authority over R&D activities at the Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

 

President Trump is expressing condolences after recent flooding in central Texas. Trump got a close-up look at devastation in Kerrville today. During a roundtable discussion with local officials and first responders, Trump said he was there to express the anguish of the entire nation. Over 120 people are dead and many remain missing.        A farm worker is dead after an immigration raid at a Southern California cannabis farm Thursday. The United Farm Workers union announced the man's death on social media. The man's family says he fell 30 feet off a building, apparently trying to run from the ICE agents who were chasing him. The union says several other workers were critically injured during the raid in Ventura County.        President Trump is setting a 35-percent tariff on Canada. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump said that starting August 1st, a 35-percent tariff on Canadian products sent into the U.S. will be imposed. Trump said it comes as part of a response to "Canada's retaliation" and ongoing trade barriers.        The deputy director of the FBI is considering stepping down. Multiple reports say Dan Bongino has told people he is thinking about resigning after clashing with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Earlier this week, a memo stated there is no evidence that Epstein kept a so-called "client list." Bongino had been outspoken about the Epstein case in the past before he became FBI deputy director.        Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is calling for accountability after filing a claim against the Trump administration. Khalil's 20-million-dollar claim alleges false imprisonment and prosecution. The Trump administration is trying to deport Khalil after he helped organize pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia. He was arrested by ICE agents last March and held for months before being released in June.        Former presidential advisor David Gergen has passed away at age 83. The New York Times reports he died at a retirement community in Lexington, Massachusetts. Gergen began his White House career in the Nixon administration and also served under Presidents Ford, Reagan and then Bill Clinton. He also worked as a political commentator and was once the editor of U.S. News and World Report.       

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