House Appropriations Committee Approves FY20 Science Spending Bill

The House Appropriations Committee voted this week to approve the FY 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) spending bill. The legislation provides $73.9 billion in discretionary funding, a $9.8 billion increase over FY19 spending levels.

“This year’s CJS funding bill rejects the inadequate and damaging proposals in the Trump Administration’s budget requests, and instead provides needed increases to the key programs in this bill,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chair José E. Serrano. “We include robust funding to address climate change and support scientific research. We include strong funding for the 2020 Census, which this Administration has jeopardized in an unprecedented way.  We invest in agencies and programs to address gun violence, and to promote criminal justice reform. This bill will create jobs, drive innovation, and address pressing public safety issues. This bill invests in our future, and shows how Democrats are addressing the challenges facing our nation.”

Among the provisions, the bill allots $16.4 billion to the Department of Commerce. This is a $5.0 billion increase over FY19 enacted spending levels, and $3.9 billion more than the President’s request. Included in this $16 billion is $1 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which is overseen by NIST, receives a $14 million increase from FY19, totaling $154 million.

The National Science Foundation receives $8.6 billion, a $561.1 million increase over FY19 spending levels. Research and related activities receive $7.1 billion, a $586.3 million increase over FY19 levels. These funds will foster innovation and U.S. economic competitiveness, including funding for research on advanced manufacturing, physics, mathematics, cybersecurity, neuroscience, and STEM education.

NASA receives an $815 million increase over FY19 levels, bringing the FY20 total to $22.3 billion. This includes $7.2 billion for NASA Science programs, a $255.6 million increase over FY19 enacted levels.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement receives $123 million, $13 million above fiscal year 2019, which rejects the Administration’s request to eliminate funding for these programs that help train the country’s future STEM workforce. Exploration receives $5.1, which is $79.1 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. This includes funding to continue the development of the Orion crew vehicle, Space Launch System, and related ground systems.

View the bill at: https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/democrats.appropriations.house.gov/files/FY2020%20CJS%20Sub%20Markup%20Draft.pdf