WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), today voted to pass legislation that would finalize the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations process, benefiting our national defense and many other federal activities in Alabama. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 65 – 32, after advancing in the House of Representatives on Thursday. The measure will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
The following are a few of the provisions within the FY2018 appropriations bill of interest to Alabama:
Redstone Arsenal – This bill contains important funding for critical research and development activities that are being conducted by the Army Space and Missile Defense Command that will enable the U.S. Army to deter and prepare for conflicts of the future, including investments to advance our cybersecurity, directed energy technology and capabilities in space.
The measure funds continued development of a new rocket propulsion system to modernize our national security space launch – Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), which is $100 million above the President’s budget request.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – The bill includes $20.7 billion for NASA, which is $1.1 billion above the FY2017 enacted level and $1.6 billion above the budget request, to support the human and robotic exploration of space, fund science missions that enhance the understanding of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe, and support fundamental aeronautics research. Click here for more information on NASA and other Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee priorities.
Huntsville Federal Courthouse – The measure includes $110 million to fund a new Federal Courthouse in Huntsville. National Institute of Health (NIH) – The legislation provides the National Institutes of Health (NIH) $37.1 billion in funding, which is a $3 billion increase over last year’s levels.
Anniston Army Depot – The measure provides funding for Army ground vehicles such as:
Improved Recovery Vehicle (19 M88A2 Hercules), $86 million above the President’s budget request Abrams Upgrade Program, $375 million above the President’s budget request
Stryker Lethality, $300 million above the President’s budget request Survivability Double V-hull upgrades, $348 million above the President’s budget request U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – The bill includes a total of $26 million for a new USCG HC-27J aircraft training simulator in Mobile.
Shipbuilding – This legislation provides important shipbuilding funding to grow our Navy, including funding for 3 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and one Expeditionary Fast Transport ship (EPF), proudly produced in Mobile. Additionally, the measure includes incremental funding for one LXR amphibious warship constructed in the nearby Huntington Ingalls Shipyard.
Red Snapper – The bill includes increased funding to protect and sustain our nation’s fisheries. The funding will support more accurate and agency-independent data and language allowing NOAA to experiment with alternative management regimes. Provisions in the bill will help expand opportunities for American commercial and recreational fishermen.
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