DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1368
Last Updated: August 27, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large]

ID: B001323

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

March 25, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of bureaucratic doublespeak, courtesy of our esteemed Congress. Let's dissect this monstrosity and expose the rot beneath.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act is a fancy name for "Let's Make Friends with NASA and Share Our Toys." The bill aims to facilitate collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on research and development projects. Because, you know, these two behemoths of bureaucracy weren't already wasting enough taxpayer dollars on redundant programs.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill authorizes the DOE Secretary and NASA Administrator to engage in "cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities" (read: vague buzzwords). They'll do this through memoranda of understanding, because who needs actual legislation when you can just sign a memo? The bill also allows for competitive awards, which will undoubtedly be awarded to the usual suspects – cronies and campaign donors.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The DOE, NASA, National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, non-profit institutions, and other "appropriate entities" (wink-wink) will all get a piece of the action. Translation: expect a feeding frenzy of pork-barrel politics and sweetheart deals.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "research for research's sake." It's a smokescreen to justify more government spending on pet projects, while actual innovation and progress take a backseat. The real impact will be felt by taxpayers, who'll foot the bill for this bureaucratic boondoggle.

Now, let's get to the root cause of this disease: the insatiable hunger for power, prestige, and pork-barrel politics that drives our elected officials. This bill is a symptom of a larger problem – the corrupting influence of special interests and the revolving door between government and industry.

Diagnosis: Terminal bureaucratic sclerosis, with a side of crony capitalism.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of transparency and accountability. But don't hold your breath; this patient is terminal.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Affairs Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$71,235
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$71,235

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
ODOM, WILLIAM L
2 transactions
$10,000
2
GERONDALE, CHRISTOPHER
2 transactions
$6,600
3
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
2 transactions
$6,600
4
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN
2 transactions
$6,600
5
LOKEN, TYLER
1 transaction
$5,000
6
FOX, RICHARD
1 transaction
$3,435
7
MCNAMARA, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
8
FORSYTHE, GERALD R
1 transaction
$3,300
9
HILLMAN, TATNALL LEA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
HUFFMAN, JEREMY
1 transaction
$3,300
11
LETTS, JIM
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SPOKELY, KATHERINE
1 transaction
$3,300
13
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA J
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ANTONSEN, HANS
1 transaction
$3,300
15
ANTONSEN, LAURA
1 transaction
$3,300
16
BABCOCK, KRISTIE
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 3 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

ID: K000403

Top Contributors

10

1
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
Organization SALAMANCA, NY
$3,300
Apr 16, 2024
2
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
Organization SALAMANCA, NY
$3,300
Jan 25, 2024
3
EDGEWORTH PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Organization PITTSBURGH, PA
$245,533
Sep 6, 2024
4
ROSEWOOD SAND HILL
Organization MENLO PARK, CA
$2,560
Sep 13, 2024
5
THE CITIZEN HOTEL
Organization SACRAMENTO, CA
$1,454
Sep 13, 2024
6
CAMBRIA HOTEL
Organization NORTH BETHESDA, MD
$1,260
Sep 13, 2024
7
JETBLUE AIRWAYS
Organization PHOENIX, AZ
$789
Sep 13, 2024
8
HYATT CENTRIC
Organization MIAMI, FL
$758
Sep 13, 2024
9
EMBASSY SUITES
Organization PHOENIX, AZ
$646
Sep 13, 2024
10
OEK NJ LLC
Organization HOLMDEL, NJ
$500
Nov 9, 2023

Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

ID: W000830

Top Contributors

10

1
SWING LEFT
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,400
Nov 5, 2024
2
AMERIPAC: THE FUND FOR A GREATER AMERICA
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Oct 17, 2024
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 8, 2024
4
HARRIS, WILLIAM
MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL PHYSICIAN
Individual LEXINGTON, MA
$5,000
Jan 25, 2024
5
HARRIS, WILLIAM
Individual LEXINGTON, MA
$5,000
Feb 7, 2024
6
BAILEY, DAVID
KPPB LLP PATENT ATTORNEY
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
7
BIRMINGHAM, CYNTHIA
SELF EMPLOYED ATTORNEY
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
8
BROOKS, JAMES
GRACIE FILMS WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
9
CLUBOK, ANDY
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP ATTORNEY
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
10
DELANEY, QUINN
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual PIEDMONT, CA
$3,300
Nov 9, 2024

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

ID: V000138

Top Contributors

10

1
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
Organization LADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 29, 2024
2
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
Organization LADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
3
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
Apr 20, 2024
4
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
Individual COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
May 5, 2024
5
VON STEIN, THOMSON
Individual ROCKVILLE, MD
$3,500
Aug 7, 2024
6
HULL, MEGAN
SELF ACTIVIST
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
7
KAISER, GEORGE
GBK CORPORATION EXECUTIVE
Individual TULSA, OK
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
8
PARSONS, KATHLEEN
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual POTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
STAPLE, HARISE
SELF MD
Individual LOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
HOLMES, LAURA
SELF REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 27 nodes and 29 connections

Total contributions: $332,268

Top Donors - Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

16 Individuals