Delgado Successfully Amends National Defense Authorization Act to Strengthen Partnerships Between Universities and the Armed Forces

Statement

Today, Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) successfully amended the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to include a $5 million increase in funding for partnerships between local universities and industry research centers established by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are university-led collaborations between universities, industry, and Army laboratories that conduct technology demonstration research to identify breakthroughs that will enable revolutionary capabilities for our service members.

"New York's 19th District is home to excellent universities and communities colleges supporting our young people and local communities. I am proud to offer an amendment supporting partnerships between our men and women in uniform and our universities and education centers." Delgado continued, "University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) help keep our armed forces at the forefront of research and development as well as support higher education opportunities across the district. I will continue to champion causes to support our armed forces and local universities. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support."

In the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, five Members, including Reps. Delgado, Levin, Cisneros, Porter, and Horsford submitted amendments to increase the funding of university and industry research centers by a total of $25 million. UARCs were established in 1996 to ensure that essential engineering and technology capabilities of particular importance to the DoD are maintained and are designed to provide critical mass in research areas that meet Army and DoD future needs and anticipated combat requirements.

Rep. Delgado also amended the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to increase support for small farmers. This amendment would require a report from the Defense Logistics Agency and Defense Commissary Agency on the status of programs, policies, and practices relating to small farms, farms owned by new and beginning farmers, veteran farmers, and minority farmers, and opportunities and barriers to expanding their use.

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