ROME, ONEIDA CO. (AP) -- Members of New York's Congressional delegation are asking the Air Force to keep supporting cyber defense research at the Air Force Research Lab in central New York.
Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote a letter to the Air Force with Reps. Richard Hanna and Bill Owens opposing what they say is a proposed cut of more than $30 million in funding to key programs. The Congress members argue that the Rome Lab near Utica conducts vital research to keep this country safe from cyber attacks.
The cut is proposed in the president's 2013 budget request.
In the same letter to the Air Force Materiel Command, the Congress members asked that a new lab director be hired quickly. Lab director Davy Belk recently announced his move to Edwards Air Force Base effective April 22.
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