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Senate Armed Services Subcommittees on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Holds Hearing on FY2004 Defense Authorization: Science and Technology

Date: March 31, 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense

FDCH TRANSCRIPTS
Congressional Hearings
Mar. 31, 2003
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Holds Hearing on FY2004 Defense Authorization: Science and Technology Programs

CORNYN:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to each of you for appearing today for the sub-committee.

There's obviously little doubt that strong science and technology programs are critical to the true transformation of the armed services. And I enjoyed coming by the demonstration the other day and experiencing the pain, I guess, that victims of directed energy weapons can feel, although fortunately it was on a small scale.

But my state plays an important role in research and development in this area, and so I have really just three quick areas I want to just cover.

One involves small business innovation research programs. As you know, this program is critical to supporting much cutting edge research currently being conducted by small businesses throughout the country. I understand that, while Phase I and Phase II funding appear to be working relatively well, that there are some problems when it comes to Phase III funding, which I guess requires private sector or other than the Department of Defense funding. And I wondered if each of you might take the opportunity, if you have something to add on this, to comment about what you're doing to improve opportunities for small businesses to receive Phase III funding.

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CORNYN:

That's very encouraging. My second question has to do with the decrease in 61 (ph) funding for primary research. And I noticed in looking at the various charts reflecting the direction of this research, everybody seems to be headed south. And could you explain your reasons for cutting back on 61 (ph) funding? And do you think this is going to impact our current transformation efforts, cutting back on expenditures for primary research? Secretary Wynne?

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