By Lindsay Press
The House of Representatives has passed a bill introduced by Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) that the Long Island congressman said would mean greater collaboration among the Department of Energy (DOE), national laboratories — including Brookhaven National Laboratory — and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
The DOE and SBA Research Act passed on February 26, with 215 Republicans and 212 Democrats. 215 Republicans and 212 Democrats voted in favor of the bill, while three Republicans — Tom McClintock (R-California), Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania), and Chip Roy (R-Texas) — voted against the bill. Three Democrats did not vote.
The three other members of Congress from Long Island — Andrew Garbarino (R-Patchogue), Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Laura Gillen (D-Garden City) — voted for the Act.
The bill calls for the DOE and SBA to execute combined research and development activities for joint advancement and offer a collaborative report within two years. Security provisions are also a priority of the bill as the DOE and SBA Research Act will allow Congress to follow the success rate of the collaborations and offer feedback for strategy upgrades and adjustments.
“I will continue to champion small businesses in Congress, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to contribute to vital advancements in science and technology,” said LaLota.
Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (D-Minnesota), one of the cosponsors, said, “This bill will expand research and development opportunities for small businesses, ensuring they can remain competitive, grow, and thrive.”
“America stays ahead back of our competitive edge, and this bill will continue to fuel those efforts and bring about change to improve the lives of the American people,” said Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), another cosponsor of the bill.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to Brookhaven National Laboratory and is waiting to hear back.