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Senator urges researchers to ‘get to know’ lawmakers, pushes for stronger lab funding and entrepreneurial leave
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Summary
A U.S. senator who addressed Slam finalists urged early-career researchers to build personal relationships with members of Congress and lab directors, advocated protecting and expanding lab-directed research funding, and recounted negotiating to secure Department of Energy lab inclusion in a major bill.
A U.S. senator who spoke at the National Lab Research Slam told early-career researchers that building one-on-one relationships with members of Congress and lab leadership is essential to securing long-term investment. Speaking from the stage, the senator encouraged researchers to "get to know your members of the United States senate, the members of the United States house of representatives" and to make their work understandable and relevant to local communities and job creation.
The senator discussed two specific policy levers: protecting Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) lines that fund exploratory work, and voluntary entrepreneurial-leave programs to give researchers flexibility for startup engagement. He suggested Congress could step in if labs or contractors did not adopt such measures.
Drawing on recent appropriations experience, the senator described pressing leadership to include DOE labs in major technology bills. He recounted discussions to secure additional authorization for DOE in a large technology bill and described a negotiation that resulted in a negotiated allocation "of 18.5" billion (as recounted onstage) for lab-related resources in the bill discussion. The senator framed this as an example of how targeted, one-on-one engagement can change funding outcomes.
He also urged attendees to speak plainly about the economic value of lab research when meeting representatives and said personal outreach — invitations, calls, and regular contact — can pay dividends when funding decisions are made. The senator concluded by encouraging bipartisan cooperation: "Find common ground when you can find common ground," he said, noting successful cross-party efforts to support national labs in both chambers.
The senator's remarks followed a series of finalist presentations and preceded jury deliberations and award announcements. Organizers encouraged finalists to use the reception to follow up with lab leaders and congressional staff.
