SCHUMER STATEMENT ON INCLUSION OF $18 MILLION AUTHORIZATION FOR ROME LAB IN FINAL NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL EXPECTED TO PASS CONGRESS NEXT WEEK

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today released the following statement after he successfully secured a boosted $18 million authorization for the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York (Rome Lab) in the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law next week: 

“This federal funding authorization is a green light for DOD to supercharge its investment in just the kind of cutting-edge quantum computing and artificial intelligence research that is happening at Rome Lab. The nation that innovates fastest and best in these technologies will be the superpower of the next century and I am beyond excited to help make Rome Lab a central part of that effort,” said Senator Schumer. “Not only has Rome Lab delivered real results in developing and enhancing our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, but they have shown a commitment to employing local residents with good-paying jobs and partnering with local businesses to advance their work. This proposed funding will ensure that the talented people that work there will help our nation stay ahead of our international competitors in these critically important fields.”

Located in Oneida County, Rome Lab serves as the lead Air Force Research Laboratory for quantum information technology, cybersecurity, and information sciences. Since 1997, it has been the USAF’s “Superlab” and is considered the nation’s premier research organization for Command, Control, Communications, Cyber and Intelligence (C4I) technologies. The lab focuses on developing information technology for air, space and ground systems, in addition to partnering with other federal agencies, universities, private industry and other state and local governments.

Rome Lab is also a source of growth for the regional economy and a major source of employment. According to the U.S. Air Force’s 2017 economic impact analysis, Rome Lab employed over 1,200 workers with an annual payroll of $140 million and generated over $392 million in regional economic activity last year. The U.S. Air Force’s economic impact study can be found here. Because of Rome Lab’s strong commitment to excellence in developing and enhancing this nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as its commitment to employing local residents with good-paying jobs, Schumer has long fought to ensure Rome Labs has what it needs to succeed and maintain its strong workforce.

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