Rome, New York – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), along with State Senator Joseph Griffo, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, and Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., toured the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in Rome and met with the leadership team to listen to ways to continue her work to support the research lab.
“I am honored to tour Rome’s Air Force Research Lab and hear directly from its leadership, so I can continue to bring their concerns to the highest levels. Having served as Ranking Member of the Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems Subcommittee, I know firsthand the critical work that Rome Lab conducts is essential to our nation’s national security at home and abroad. Each year, I have been proud to deliver funding through the National Defense Authorization Act and look forward to continuing to support the critical work of Rome Lab,” Congresswoman Stefanik said.
“I am pleased that Congresswoman Stefanik visited the Air Force Research Laboratory at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. This was an opportunity to showcase the important work and research taking place at the lab and to highlight the critical advancements that the facility has made in communications, computers, intelligence, and cyber technologies. I look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman Stefanik to advocate for resources to keep the lab and similar facilities viable and here in the Mohawk Valley,” State Senator Griffo said.
“I appreciate Congresswomen Stefanik touring Rome Labs and meeting with our local leadership. Rome Labs is home to the future of the United States Air Force and the Congresswomen has expressed a since interest in our community,” Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon said.
“I was happy to join Congresswoman Stefanik today as she toured the Air Force Research Lab and Oneida County’s Innovare Advancement Center. As a member of House leadership, and as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Stefanik has a record of getting things done. She clearly understands the importance of these assets and I know she will be a tireless advocate for Rome Lab and our community. I look forward to working with her,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said.
Stefanik is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and advocates for funding for Rome Lab each year in the National Defense Authorization Act, including $10 million to establish a quantum network computing testbed program at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome
For Fiscal Year 2022, Stefanik and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) wrote a Defense Appropriations letter advocating for $10 million to establish the Quantum Network Computing Testbed, $10 million for the first and only government-owned UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system, and $10 million for the development of the AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) Experimentation and Transition Testbed for Rome Lab.