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The House on Monday approved its version of a legislative package aimed at boosting U.S. scientific competitiveness to keep pace with China, setting the stage for final negotiations with the Senate, which passed its own $250 billion bill earlier this month. The House approved the main piece of its package by a vote of 345-67. That bill, known as the National Science Foundation for the Future Act, provides major increases for federally-funded science and technology research, and establishes a new division within the NSF for advanced technologies and other cutting-edge research. (McKinnon, 6/29)

"We must significantly boost funding for science. For years, we have allowed millions of dollars of excellent research go unfunded," said House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas). "We are at a critical juncture in our nation's history and we need to be more focused on the role of science in our society." The first bill, called the National Science Foundation for the Future Act, passed 345-67, while the second measure, titled the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act, passed 351-68. (Marcos, 6/28)

William A. Reinsch, the Scholl chair in international business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said with sections on public health challenges and the STEM work force, the House had taken “a broader definition of how to get our innovation capabilities up and running.” (Edmondson, 6/28)

Facing a backlash that he was presenting misleading medical information, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson defended his Monday news conference in which five people disclosed what they said were serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. After detailed and at times emotional statements from participants assembled in the Federal Courthouse in Milwaukee, Johnson said, "You witnessed these stories?" "Do you think that's reckless and irresponsible?," he added, pushing back at a jibe from Gov. Tony Evers. "I think it's called compassion. I think it's showing concern for your fellow human beings who have stepped up." (Glauber and Fauber, 6/28)

Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., says he’ll vote against a sweeping budget reconciliation package that expands health care coverage, defrays child care and college expenses and more if party leaders include drug price negotiation provisions in it to help offset the multitrillion-dollar cost. Peters led a group of 10 House Democrats on a letter recently calling for any legislation aimed at lowering drug costs to be bipartisan. But his outright opposition to so-called international reference pricing language, which Peters confirmed in an interview, is notable considering he voted for similar provisions in 2019 and 2020 as part of broader health care legislation. (Cohn, 6/28)