On the recordMay 4, 2022
speaking against my colleague, I am sure he is well-meaning, but the language in this underlying amendment would condition the funds of this bill. Say the taxpayer money provided to universities on research--think about what we do today with universities on a lot of subjects. Just ask yourself, would you ever have an ROI on the COVID vaccine? basic research around lifesaving medicine? It took 60 years to prove the return on that investment. There are underlying DARPA funds in this bill. Do you think that all of those DARPA funds showed return on investment? Say goodbye to those moneys. This also says that it can be conditioned for a clawback. Who? So nuclear research done by one institution and one administration but not liked by the next administration is clawed back? I think we have trusted our universities to do this research for us, and that is what a research economy is about. We need to dust off our R&D skills and make these investments and make the commitments. The underlying bill has safeguards on spending in the bill. I ask my colleagues to vote no on this motion to instruct. Vote on Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Hearing no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa. Motion to Instruct
