Political Quotes

“I want to thank the distinguished chairman, Mr. Smith, as well as the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter) for helping bring this legislation to the floor again this Congress. H.R. 1158, the Department of Energy Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act, ensures that the Department of Energy has the tools it needs to allow new startups, small businesses, universities, and the general public at large to do what they do best: react to market signals and innovate. The Federal Government and the national labs play a vital role doing the basic research needed to maintain America's position as a safe and innovative nation. Their ability to build large research tools at our user facilities is the crown jewel in our Nation's research capabilities. This is the model other nations, like China, are copying. Far too often, however, the discoveries made in our labs get stuck in the labs. This is due to a number of reasons, and this bill seeks to break down some of the barriers that make this happen. Many of these problems are also outlined in chapter three of the ``Interim Report of the Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories.'' I quote from the report: ``Over 50 prior studies and reports published over the past 40 years detail shortcomings in the relationship between the DOE and its laboratories.'' It continues: They present a strikingly consistent pattern of criticism and recommendations for improvement.…”