Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., has introduced the Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act, which aims to revitalize the Department of Energy’s national laboratories.
Enhancing National Laboratories
Foster’s office said Thursday the proposed legislation aims to authorize $25 billion through the fiscal year 2030 to fund the maintenance and enhancement of infrastructure at the national labs. The investment will be used to meet the national labs’ current needs and address the backlog of unfunded projects.
The bill complements and expands earlier funding commitments, including $14.7 billion Foster, co-chair of the House National Labs Caucus, raised through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
Support for the Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., who serves as co-chair of the Senate National Labs Caucus, leads a companion bill in the Senate. Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC, Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., and Adam Smith, D-Wash., are cosponsoring the bill while the Federation of American Scientists endorses it.
Remarks From Rep. Foster & Sen. Luján
“An ongoing challenge at our national laboratories is the lack of sufficient funding for essential maintenance and upgrades. Right now, there’s a severe backlog of unfunded modernization projects,” said Foster.
“Across the country, our National Labs – including Sandia and Los Alamos in New Mexico – have positioned the U.S. as a global leader in cutting-edge research and scientific innovation. To meet the challenges of the 21st century – from driving innovation in emerging technologies like quantum and AI to strengthening national security – our Labs need strong, reliable infrastructure,” stated Luján.
