Randy Hultgren: “Our national labs, like Fermilab and Argonne, have been primary drivers of American innovation since the Manhattan…”

“Our national labs, like Fermilab and Argonne, have been primary drivers of American innovation since the Manhattan Project, but many of their most important discoveries have been made in the past decade. Research produced there has enormous economic potential, but many times, their discoveries remain stuck in the labs. It is essential that we update cold war-era policies, acknowledge the rapid pace of technological change, and improve the lab's capacity to partner with private enterprise and convert their cutting-edge research into marketplace innovation. This bill does that. I am so grateful again for the cosponsors, especially Mr. Kilmer, for his work on this. I reserve the balance of my time.”