Commerce, Justice, Science

Highlights of 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act

2014 enacted: $51.6 billion

2015 President's request: $51.0 billion

2015 Committee mark: $51.2 billion

The Chairman's mark provides:

· $5.3 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is $10.5 million less than the FY2014 level and $163.6 million less than the request.

o $943.2 million for the National Weather Service operations, research, and facilities, which is $10.4 million less than the FY2014 level and $16.3 million more than the President's request.

o Oceanic and Atmospheric Research sustains a significant cut. In particular, climate research is cut $37.5 million (24%) below FY2014 and $69.3 million (37%) below the President's request.

I rise to offer to the House our support for the base bill. The chairman of this committee, whom I have had the honor to work with for a number of years, has laid out in some detail some of the appropriations in this bill. And as our Constitution requires, no dollar out of our Treasury shall be appropriated, except by act of Congress. So we are here in our constitutional roles.

I want to thank Chairman Wolf for all of the courtesies extended to the minority. Obviously, if we were drafting a bill, we might have a different set of numbers in different areas, whether for legal services or COPS. But in the main, this is a bill that the chairman has extended himself in every effort that could be done to accommodate the minority. I want to thank him for his work with me over these many years, inasmuch as this will be the last bill that he will carry on the floor.

Neuroscience funding was one of several key priorities championed by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) that received a boost in today's full Appropriations Committee markup of the FY 15 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Act. As Ranking Member of the CJS Subcommittee, Fattah helped steer more $51.2 billion in net discretionary funding to the Departments of Justice and Commerce, the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, and other related agencies under the subcommittee's jurisdiction.

Funding for neuroscience research received $105 million in the legislation, more than $21 million above the FY 14 level. Fattah, who is architect of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, signaled that the increase is a significant victory not only for brain research, but for the entire science community.

Before I make my statement, I'd just like to take a moment to thank Chairman Wolf for his service to this Committee and our country. Chairman Wolf, it has been a pleasure working with you on our shared commitment to keep our country safe, and I wish you the best of luck in your next chapter.

The Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice and Science bill before us today provides good funding levels for important programs to support public safety, such as Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and Violence Against Women Act services.

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies joined in approval of the FY2015 CJS Appropriations Bill, praising the bipartisan nature in the subcommittee's work and highlighting several of his own priorities.

The legislation is responsible for funding the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other related agencies. Following today's subcommittee consideration, the bill now moves to the full Appropriations Committee.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama's FY 2015 budget request:

"The FY2015 budget and appropriations process offers Congress its best opportunity in years to reject the politics of brinkmanship and crisis management, and instead fulfill our responsibility to invest in our future, create and protect jobs, and support services on which American families rely.

2013 enacted level: $50.1 billion

2014 Committee mark: $47.4 billion

2014 Omnibus: $51.6 billion

· $5.3 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is $320.4 more than the 2013 enacted level.

· $953.6 million for National Weather Service operations, which is $46.7 million more than the 2013 enacted level.

· $945 million for the Census Bureau, which is $57.6 million more than the 2013 enacted level.

· $3 billion for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which is equal to CBO's projection of PTO's FY2014 fee revenue collections.

· $850 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is $42.9 million more than the 2013 enacted level.