U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that following their push, the Senate version of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes $14.2 million in federal funding to enhance security at Rome Lab. Schumer and Gillibrand said the funds would enhance anti-terrorism perimeter security and entry point control point at the Lab. The senators vowed to fight to secure funding for the project in the Senate through the appropriations process and added that ensuring the security of Rome Lab and its personnel is critical to its important mission.
“Rome Lab is a national leader in countering cyber-threats, and an engine for economic growth right here in the Mohawk Valley,” said Senator Schumer. “Making sure the Lab has the resources and funding it needs to advance research, increase development and secure its perimeter and assets remains a top priority of mine. This new authorization, which was included in the newly passed Senate NDAA bill does just that by protecting the men and women who work inside the lab. I fully support Rome lab and its employees and as the Senate Democratic Leader, I vow to keep pushing through the appropriations process, for greater investments in the lab so that it has the tools it needs to continue its critical mission.”
“Rome Lab plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe from cyber-attacks, and this federal investment will allow the lab to continue developing cutting-edge technology that improves our country’s cybersecurity infrastructure,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “In addition to being one of the nation’s premier research facilities, Rome Lab is also a vital economic anchor in the Mohawk Valley that employs nearly 1,200 workers. I will always do everything I can to ensure that Rome Lab has the resources it needs to continue being successful.”
Schumer and Gillibrand said the proposed construction would comply with Department of Defense (DOD) antiterrorism protection requirements by constructing a site security fence around the perimeter of Rome Lab that is equipped with associated lighting, video surveillance, card controlled personnel entry access gates, and visitor control entry point to mitigate threats from vehicle born improvised devices. The senators said an adequate and secure location is required to protect Rome Lab personnel left vulnerable to potential terrorist type activities, active shooters, and other criminal activity.
Recently, Schumer and Gillibrand announced that they were able to secure an additional $21 million in federal funding for Rome Lab in this year’s bipartisan spending bill, bringing its total funding to $243,329,000. Schumer and Gillibrand called the funding authorization a major win for the State of New York and the local economy. The senators said Rome Lab is a driver of growth for the regional economy and a major source of employment. According to the United States Air Forces (USAF)’s 2017 economic impact analysis, Rome Lab employed nearly 1,200 workers with an annual payroll of $140 million and generated over $392 million in regional economic activity last year. Schumer and Gillibrand vowed to see the funding request through the appropriations process.
Located in Oneida County, one of Rome Lab’s primary focuses is gathering and processing cyber intelligence. Since 1997, it has been the USAF’s “Superlab” and is considered one of the nation’s premier research organization for Command, Control, Communications, Cyber and Intelligence (C4I) technologies. These technologies transform data into information and subsequently knowledge for decision makers to command and control forces. This knowledge gives our air, space and cyberspace forces the competitive advantage needed to protect and defend the nations. Ensuring the security of Rome Lab and its personnel is critical to this important mission. This request will directly enhance the anti-terrorism, perimeter security, and entry control point at Rome, NY.