Mark Pocan: “I thank the ranking member and the chairman for including language supporting continued work on lithium ion battery…”

“I thank the ranking member and the chairman for including language supporting continued work on lithium ion battery research. However, in reviewing the underlying bill, I am concerned about the possible interpretation by the Office of Naval Research with respect to this effort. I believe it is important that the Office of Naval Research emphasize battery safety as a part of this work. I would also request the opportunity to continue to work with the chairman and the ranking member to allocate research and development funding to promote battery safety and to retain such funding through conference on the underlying bill. I hope to make it clear that this Chamber encourages investment in battery safety research.”