Senate Committee Approves FY24 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act, providing support for law enforcement, economic development, scientific research, and other national priorities.
The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 28-1, provides $71.734 billion in discretionary funding, including $6.674 billion in defense funding and $62.81 billion in non-defense funding.
"Even under tight budgetary pressure, this bill is still able to provide judicious increases for law enforcement, avoiding layoffs of the people who are charged with combatting the fentanyl crisis, apprehending violent fugitives, and prosecuting criminals,” said Senator Collins. “The bill also fully rejects the cuts, as proposed in the President’s budget, to vital programs that support activities like drug courts, veterans treatment courts, and addressing the rape kit backlog. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
“I have long been an advocate for returning to regular order and the opportunity that process gives each of us to rein in agencies, departments and bureaucrats by providing specific directions on how tax dollars are spent,” said Senator Jerry Moran, Vice Chair of the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee. “In accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, this bill reduces spending by $1.3 billion. This fiscally responsible bill includes essential resources to further our nation’s priorities in scientific innovation, law enforcement and economic development. I am pleased this committee has produced a bill that reduces wasteful spending without jeopardizing past progress. This legislation will benefit Kansans with federal programs aimed to keep communities safe and invest in infrastructure, and it also accelerates the goal of returning American astronauts to the Moon and cementing our country’s leadership in space exploration. I am grateful to have worked closely with Chair Shaheen to pass a bipartisan bill that enables numerous agencies within our jurisdiction to accomplish their missions and address the needs of our nation.”
Bill Highlights:
Department of Commerce: $11.143 billion for the Department’s wide variety of programs, including oceanic and atmospheric monitoring, fisheries management, weather forecasting, economic development, trade promotion, scientific and technical research, broadband deployment, and the protection of intellectual property.
Department of Justice: $37.513 billion to fight violent crime, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks, apprehend violent fugitives, combat the profusion of cybercrime, and counter foreign intelligence threats. This includes $4.169 billion for grants that strengthen State and local enforcement, improve the administration of justice, and support victims of crime.
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): $732 million for programs included in VAWA, an increase of $32 million above the enacted FY23 level.
- Byrne-JAG: $421 million for grants that support police and sheriff’s departments, an increase of $8.746 million above the enacted FY23 level.
Space Exploration: $25 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), including $7.736 billion to ensure the Artemis program remains on schedule and that Americans are the first to return to the Moon.
National Science Foundation: $9.5 billion to support research in fields vital to U.S. national and economic security, including quantum computing and AI.
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