Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say their first concern for the management and operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory is assuring the stability of the workforce and the safety of employees and the public while the lab meets its national security mission.
U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan weighed in Friday as the federal government announced a $2.5 billion-a-year management contract for the lab.
The winning team is made up of the University of California, Texas A&M and Ohio-based research firm Battelle.
The three Democrats say they're hopeful about the prospect of the lab contracting with more local small businesses.
Lab Director Terry Wallace said Friday that despite the change in management, the lab's mission will remain the same and it will work with the new team to ensure a smooth transition.