Mike Capuano: “what this amendment does is basically it takes half of the money it currently designated for the Department of Energy…”

“what this amendment does is basically it takes half of the money it currently designated for the Department of Energy and shifts it over to the National Science Foundation. The reason I offer this amendment is because I strongly believe that this money is best utilized as far out from government as we can get it into the private sector and to the universities, because I believe they do a better job in pushing along new technologies than does the government. It is very interesting to note that though I have proposed this amendment now for a couple of days, I just literally 2 minutes ago got a communication from the Secretary of Energy that raises some serious and interesting questions about the amendment. Had I received it earlier, I would have been happy to discuss it at any time with the Secretary or any member of the Department, but I think it is a little late at this point in time. However, I will say that if this amendment is adopted that I would be more than happy to work with the Secretary or any other member of the Department to discuss their concerns, and if appropriate, I would work with them to amend this amendment further or to reduce it or to strike it. Nonetheless, having not received any communications of such note prior to this time, I still feel strongly that in concept, our money is best spent as close to the private sector as we can get it.”