Rep. Brian Babin on Feb. 14. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The GOP steering committee on Monday selected Rep. Brian Babin to be the next House Science chair.
Why it matters: Babin will help determine how the next Congress handles science and technology policy, particularly on AI, quantum, semiconductors and U.S.-China competition.
State of play: Babin, the chair of the space and aeronautics subcommittee, ran unopposed.
- He has conducted CHIPS and Science Act oversight hearings where he's warned against burdening local governments and industry partners with cumbersome regulations and paperwork.
- As space subcommittee chair, two of his main priorities have been ensuring U.S. leadership in space exploration and maintaining a robust commercial space industry, he said at a recent hearing.
The new chair has the opportunity to wield significant influence over increasingly high-profile conversations about R&D, science and emerging tech, and competition with China.
- President-elect Trump called out the CHIPS and Science Act as "so bad" during the campaign, and the new chair will need to figure out what exactly the president wants on emerging tech.
- Babin is now in position to serve as an important voice on three major issues heading Congress' way next year for the future of CHIPS: semiconductor manufacturing appropriations, the investment tax credit and science funding.
From his perch, Babin will be able to play a major role in how Republicans focus on China policy, especially in regards to research security.
- He'll also be dealing with the expired National Quantum Initiative Act as this Congress is poised to fail to advance the reauthorization bill.
- And the committee has jurisdiction over AI bills like the CREATE AI that will be reintroduced next year after failing to ride must-pass legislation.
What we're watching: House Science leaders have long prided themselves on the bipartisan nature of the committee, and we'll be keeping an eye out for how the new chair navigates relationships with the ranking member and other Democrats.
What's next: The full House Republican conference has to confirm the pick, but that's largely a formality.
