On the recordJune 5, 2012
I certainly share some of my colleague's concerns. We should not be sending Department of Energy funding overseas if it doesn't benefit our citizens or it undermines our own competitiveness. But we cannot assume that all international cooperation is objectionable. The research the gentleman's amendment would eliminate is both a proper role for Federal funds and directly benefits America. Let me first point out these research centers are not a donation to China. They are funded in equal parts by China and the United States. They actually support three consortia centered at West Virginia University, the University of Michigan, and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in his own home State. They fund research at seven American national laboratories, five American universities, and 40 American companies, institutes, and other organizations. There's nothing nutty about that, Mr. Chairman. I certainly share the concerns that we keep intellectual property and manufacturing here at home. To address these concerns, these research centers signed agreements to protect American intellectual property while allowing us to take advantage of new joint discoveries. Eliminating these centers altogether would harm American researchers, American scientists, American innovation, and American job creation. I oppose his amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
