Gibson Nanotech, Defense Strategy Provisions Included in Final Defense Authorization

Press Release

Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-20) announced today that the final agreement between the House and Senate on the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included multiple provisions offered by the Congressman. The NDAA is an annual authorization bill that sets military policy and funding for the coming fiscal year. As a member of the Committee and a 24-year Army veteran, Congressman Gibson had an integral role in shaping the authorization bill. The bill passed the House 283-136.

"This bill ensures that our service men and women have the tools they need to complete their mission while utilizing limited resources more effectively. Most importantly, this bill also took steps to begin to institute fundamental national security reforms, which I championed. These will ultimately make our country safer while allowing us to identify future cost savings more strategically," said Congressman Gibson. "Furthermore, I saw firsthand the benefits of nanotechnology for our military. This is innovation that will make equipment more reliable, more durable, and lighter for our service members to carry. I was proud to champion this effort in the House-passed bill and appreciate Sen. Gillibrand's advocacy in the Senate. By working together on our respective Committees, we've given SUNY Albany's College of Nanoscale Science (CNSE) the opportunity to compete for funding immediately and, perhaps more importantly, required DOD to study establishing a research center devoted solely to nanotechnology in the future. This designation, which I believe CNSE would be highly competitive for, would only further our region's reputation as the next Tech Valley, aiding local job creation and private investment."

Full List of Congressman Gibson Additions to the 2012 NDAA

Commission a study by the Department of Defense to assess the desirability of establishing a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for nanotechnology. This would allow CNSE to compete for this designation, and associated federal support, if it is determined necessary. The authorization also expresses the sense of the Committee that such a FFRDC should be designated.
Worked with Sen. Gillibrand to secure $50 million in funding for nanotechnology research in the defense field. CNSE would be able to compete for this funding as well.

Commission a study to determine if the Special Operations Command should be reorganized to better fight the war against Al Qaeda and their affiliates. This would promote joint intelligence work, with local decision making powers, to better address national security threats.

Revise the Quadrennial Roles and Missions Report, prepared every four years to guide Pentagon priorities, to better gather advice from both top uniformed officers and DOD civilians on roles and missions.

The bill now moves to the Senate for final passage this week and then to the President for his signature.

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