CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
June 17, 2004
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUNDING LEVELS
Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to engage the distinguished Senator from New Mexico, Senator JEFF BINGAMAN, concerning the Department of Defense Science and Technology-S&T-program. Senator BINGAMAN and I are both former members of the Senate's Committee on Armed Services and have a deep appreciation for the importance of the Department of Defense's S&T program in meeting current and future defense needs.
Mr. BINGAMAN. The Senator from Pennsylvania is correct in noting our strong support for the Department's S&T programs. During the 106th Congress, I introduced an amendment-SA 199-cosponsored by Senators SANTORUM, KENNEDY, and LIEBERMAN, to S. Con. Res. 20, the Senate's Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2002, that was designed to ensure the long-term national security of the United States through a robust Department of Defense S&T program. Additionally, during the 105th Congress, I introduced an amendment-SA 2999-cosponsored by Senators SANTORUM and LIEBERMAN, to S. 2057, the Fiscal Year 1999 National Defense Authorization Act, articulating a sense of the Senate on the ideal level of funding for our Department of Defense's S&T program.
Mr. SANTORUM. The Senator from New Mexico is correct. He has been a strong advocate for our Department of Defense S&T program for many years. It is worth noting that together, we have succeeded in raising the profile of these budget accounts and helped to influence the levels requested for the S&T program in the annual budget request submitted by this and other administrations. I also want to thank Senator BINGAMAN for his support for my amendment-SA 182-to H. Con. Res. 83, the Senate's Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2002, which sought to increase funding devoted to the Department of Defense's Basic Research-6.1-account. It is by investing in these budget accounts that we will reap the technology benefits that will sustain our military edge over our adversaries.
Mr. BINGAMAN. We also agree that by funding these vital programs at over 3 percent of the total Defense Department budget, we will be demonstrating a commitment and leadership in an area critical to U.S. national security. Past research carried out with S&T program funding has provided the foundation for protecting U.S. military personnel and ensuring U.S. technological superiority on the battlefield. Hand-held translators, unmanned systems, thermobaric bombs, and laser-guided and global positioning systems are just a few examples of the many technologies resulting from S&T investments that are used today to remove personnel from harm's way, enhance battlespace awareness, and address new threats.
Mr. SANTORUM. Additionally, we are united in advocating continued support for these critical programs so we can meet our national security needs of tomorrow. The Department of Defense's S&T program provides a unique contribution to the job of equipping and protecting our men and women in uniform and defending America. S&T funding supports education and training for future scientists and engineers-leading to technological advancements that shape defense technologies, including engineering, mathematics, and physical, computer and behavorial sciences. Throughout the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies sustained their commitments to these investments in American universities. This investment can be measured by the number of systems relied upon by America today to project power and maintain our interests around the globe.
Mr. BINGAMAN. Furthermore, American universities offer the Department of Defense the laboratories and knowledge base necessary to successfully complete this transformation objective. The Department of Defense has historically played a major federal role in funding basic research and has been a significant sponsor of engineering research and technology development conducted in American universities.
Mr. SANTORUM. Senator BINGAMAN is correct. For over 50 years, Department of Defense investment in university research has been a dominant element of the Nation's research and development infrastructure and an essential component of the United States capacity for technological innovation.
Mr. BINGAMAN. I thank Senator SANTORUM for his observations on the importance of robust Department of Defense S&T program funding, and I urge that we continue to advocate funding the S&T program at a level of at least at 3 percent of the total Department of Defense appropriation.
Mr. SANTORUM. The Senator is correct in his statement and I too support the 3 percent S&T program funding goal.
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.