Udall, Heinrich Introduce Bill to Boost LDRD Funding

New Mexico Sens. Tom Udall (D) and Martin Heinrich (D) introduced a bill yesterday to boost Laboratory Directed Research and Development programs at the Department of Energy’s national laboratories. The bill, called the LDRD Enhancement Act of 2015, would increase the percentage of lab funding that can be set aside for special projects from 6 percent to 10 percent. “This bill supports the national security missions at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, while allowing scientists and engineers to pursue solutions to some of our nation’s most pressing energy, security, and environmental challenges,” Heinrich said in a statement. ”The LDRD program is a powerful recruitment tool that attracts and retains some of the brightest minds from across the country. The program also fosters collaboration between our labs and small businesses that often results in innovative products, spinoff ideas, and new jobs.”