{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-schumer-highlight-5-million-authorization-for-university-of-rochester-in-fiscal-year-2026-defense-bill/", "Gillibrand, Schumer Highlight $5 Million Authorization For University Of Rochester In Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Bill", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NY", "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "gillibrand", "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced that they have secured a $5 million authorization for the University of Rochester\u2019s short-pulsed lasers research in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA is a win for service members, New Yorkers, and all Americans,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cI was especially proud to fight for and secure key provisions in the final bill that will directly advance the University of Rochester\u2019s research into short-pulsed laser technology, which will help protect us from hypersonic missiles and other potential threats. Protecting our troops and our national security is of the utmost importance, and I am glad to see Democrats and Republicans work together to pass this vital legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe University of Rochester\u2019s cutting-edge short-pulsed lasers research is leading the way to protect us from hypersonic missiles and other potential threats. This $5 million funding authorization in the just-passed final national defense bill is a major milestone for boosting their research efforts,\u201d said Senator Schumer. \u201cI will always fight to deliver more resources for New York\u2019s servicemembers and to protect our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is a unique national resource with expertise in the study of intense laser light and materials,\u201d said LLE Director Christopher Deeney. \u201cThe newly authorized funding will enable the federal sponsor to have LLE and its team continue to make important strides in understanding and optimizing the performance of pulsed lasers for national security missions. On behalf of the LLE and the University, I want to thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their leadership and support along with the other members of our Congressional delegation.\u201d\n\nOther highlights of the FY26 NDAA bill include a pay raise for service members, as well as over $240 million in total authorizations for New York State projects.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-schumer-highlight-5-million-authorization-for-university-of-rochester-in-fiscal-year-2026-defense-bill/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7323449719697237, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}