LaLota and Thanedar Introduce Bill to Support Research and Development Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, July 17th, 2023, Reps. Nick LaLota (R-NY-01) and Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), both members of the House Small Business Committee, introduced the bipartisan DOE and SBA Research Act. This bill would support increased joint research and development activities between the Department of Energy (DOE), National Laboratories, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the Small Business Administration.
“I’m proud to introduce the DOE and SBA Research Act to improve coordination between these two federal agencies. This bill would directly support facilities such as Brookhaven National Labs to improve their already successful and ground-breaking research and development projects,” said LaLota. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and involving them in this process will bring more hard-working Americans to the table. I will continue to fight for our small businesses and look forward to moving this bill through Congress.”
“Our excitement for the growth potential of the DOE and SBA Research Act is about what lies ahead for our workforce, our small businesses, and for America's role as an innovation leader on the global stage,” said Thanedar. “In today's landscape, small businesses often face the uphill battle of tapping into research and development opportunities that large corporations and federal institutions typically dominate.”
To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.
Background:
Specifically, this bill would direct the DOE and the SBA to conduct collaborative research and development activities, focusing on joint advancement in mission requirements and priorities. In addition, this bill emphasizes the need for research security provisions.
The DOE and SBA Research Act also mandates a collaborative report within two years of its enactment. This will enable Congress to track the effectiveness of these research collaborations, providing a feedback mechanism for strategy adjustments where necessary.
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