Washington, D.C. – Moving ahead in the Appropriations process, today the U.S. House of Representatives and Alaskan Congressman Don Young passed H.R. 2578, the Fiscal Year 2016 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Act, which will provide $51.4 billion in funding for programs critical to the nation’s economic development, public safety, and national security. The bill, which sets spending for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Science Foundation, NASA and other related agencies, passed by a vote of 242 to 183.
“Today, the House moved a responsible spending bill that prioritizes our nation’s law enforcement, science and technology programs, and a number of items necessary for building a stronger and healthier economy,” said Congressman Don Young. “The bill includes several funding items of Alaskan interest and importance, including fisheries research and management, ocean monitoring, programs to combat domestic abuse and violence, and strengthen and improve law enforcement. This bill provides our federal agencies the dollars they need to operate, while making efforts to eliminate and reduce duplicative and wasteful spending.
Under H.R. 2578, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would receive $5.167 billion in funding. Included in the bill are vital items for Alaska’s fisheries and coastal management, which Congressman Young helped to secure in his capacity as Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus.
- 828.7 million for the National Marine Fisheries Service
- $3.34 million for the Marine Mammal Commission
- $65 million for the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund
- $29.5 million for Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
- $25 million for Hydrographic Survey Contracts
Fisheries Research and Management:
- $32 million for Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions
- $168 for Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments:
- $74 million for expanded annual stock assessments to improve data collection
- $22 million for Fish Information Networks, including AKFIN
- $35.5 million for Salmon Management Activities
- $8.5 million for Integrated Ocean Acidification
Tsunami Warning Centers:
- $488 million to support 24/7 weather surveillance, forecast and warning services and operations of Tsunami Warning Centers.
Under H.R. 2578, the Department of Justice would receive $27.55 billion, an $852 million increase from FY15, to support programs that enhance law enforcement operations, improve counter terrorism and protect victims. Notable items in the bill include:
State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance:
- $409 million for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, which is a primary provider of federal criminal justice grants for local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS):
- $237.5 million for the COPS program, which primarily focuses on providing grants to local and state law police departments and sharing information.
Crime Victims Fund:
- Caps the amount of funds that may be used for the Crime Victims Fund at $2.7 billion ($344 million more than FY15) for the purpose of maintaining the Fund as a stable source for future victim services. The Crime Victims Fund assist victims with financial assistance for out of pocket expenses, and is financed entirely from fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders.
Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS):
- $35 million for RISS, which connects local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies databases for the purpose of sharing information and intelligence.
Office of Violence Against Women:
- $479 million for Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs.
Community Trust Initiative:
- $50 million to create a new Community Trust Initiative. This initiative will fund efforts to improve the safety of local communities and support police training and research, including:
- $15 million for body camera pilots and research,
- $30 million for justice reform and collaboration efforts,
- $5 million for improved statistics collection.
The National Science Foundation (NSF):
Additionally, H.R. 2578 will fund the National Science Foundation at $7.4 billion. This funding will support programs that foster innovation and U.S. economic competitiveness, including for research on advanced manufacturing, cyber-security, neuroscience and STEM education.
Amendments to H.R. 2578:
Congressman Young was an original cosponsor of two amendments offered to H.R. 2578. One amendment, introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), would prohibit federal agencies from using funds included in the bill to prevent states from implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 242 to 186.
The other amendment, introduce by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), would prohibit federal agencies from using any funds contained in the bill to prevent states from implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of marijuana on non-Federal lands within their respective jurisdictions. The amendment failed by a vote of 206 to 222.
“As a strong advocate of state’ rights, I have always supported the idea that state’s should be able to determine what activities should be criminal within their own borders,” said Congressman Young. “My efforts behind the Rohrabacher and McClintock amendments, and other efforts in the House, are based upon a strong belief in the 10th Amendment and the principals of federalism. These amendments are particularly important for states like Alaska who have legalized medical and recreational marijuana, but operate in direct violation of federal law.”
Also included within H.R. 2578 are a number of provisions to protect the rights of everyday Americans, including protections of the 2nd Amendment and the unborn.
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