Zoe Lofgren: “I oppose the amendment and I would like to say just a couple of things about why. I do not have a national lab in my…”

“I oppose the amendment and I would like to say just a couple of things about why. I do not have a national lab in my district, but I have a very great interest in the national labs because, like other Americans, I believe that science and research really holds the key to our economic future as a country. I think it is important to outline what the Galvin report did say and did not say. The Galvin report never said to put our national labs up for sale. In fact, when Mr. Galvin testified before the Committee on Science, that question was posed to him. He said that that was not a good idea, that it was impossible to imagine who would have the money to bid on these labs. What the Galvin report suggested was a different type of management structure for the labs. Actually it is an issue that I think, as the gentleman from California has said, deserves additional analysis and study. I for one believe it is something that we ought to explore, but never once did Mr. Galvin suggest that the national labs go outside of the ownership of the Federal Government. I think the concept of selling the national jewels is one that ought to be rejected.”