On the recordApril 26, 2013
This is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. I rise to offer this motion to ensure that our strategic reserve of helium gas does not fall into the hands of those who wish to harm the United States or target our allies abroad. Helium is a crucial component of manufacturing and research processes here in the United States. The consistent availability of helium to United States companies and research institutions is, therefore, essential to our global competitiveness as well as our national security. NASA is one of the largest consumers of helium gas in the United States, utilizing helium for a number of crucial national security priorities. For example, the deployment of critical communications satellites, which is made possible by helium, helps to support our global information network and must remain a strategic U.S. asset. Helium has been utilized to purge explosive rocket fuel from intercontinental ballistic missiles and continues to be a strategic resource for any nation looking to build an advanced missile program. Helium is also utilized in cooling nuclear reactors.…





