Joe Lieberman: “I rise to speak on the Department of Commerce's Advanced Technology Program or ATP. This is an important program and I…”

“I rise to speak on the Department of Commerce's Advanced Technology Program or ATP. This is an important program and I have long appreciated Senator Hollings' work in founding and continuing it. The amendment offered by Senator Brownback would prohibit ATP awards to companies with revenues that exceed $2.5 billion. I oppose Senator Brownback's amendment and would like to thank Senator Frist for his floor statement explaining why he too has voted against the amendment. Like Senator Frist, I think there are several solid reasons as to why Senator Brownback's amendment should be opposed. My first concern is process--this is an attempt to legislate a very complex issue now being considered by the authorizing committee, on an appropriations bill. The Senate Commerce Committee, Science and Technology Subcommittee under Senator Frist, the Subcommittee Chair, and Senator Rockefeller, ranking Democrat, are planning legislation on ATP, including a careful look at this issue, later this session. I believe in this case that the Senate should vote to wait and see what action the authorizing committee takes. I would also highlight recent changes to the ATP proposed by Commerce Secretary William Daley that may assist in resolving this debate.”