Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Fiscal Year 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies today approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2021 bill. The legislation contains $71.473 billion in discretionary budget authority, a reduction of $1.7 billion below the FY 2020 enacted level, reflecting the completion of the 2020 Decennial Census.

The bill next heads to the full Committee for markup.

“This year’s CJS funding bill starts the urgent and necessary process of change by focusing on police accountability, civil rights, and justice for all.  The bill boosts spending to address police misconduct, enforce civil rights, and promote racial justice, all while protecting and expanding funding for critical programs in a wide range of areas,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chair José E. Serrano. “This bill creates real, significant, and lasting change in policing accountability by creating several new grant programs proposed in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to drive law enforcement reform and accountability practices, by rolling back limitations put in place by the Trump Administration, by increasing funding for the DOJ Civil Rights Division and for FBI investigations of law enforcement patterns and practices, and by putting limitations on Federal grant funds to incentivize reform at the state and local level.  It also invests in key agencies that support economic development, like the Minority Business Development Agency and the Economic Development Administration.  I look forward to moving this legislation through the process and seeing the positive impact it will have in the Bronx and other communities.”

“As we confront the twin crises of coronavirus and systemic racism, the American people are demanding action to build safer and stronger communities for all people,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “The fiscal year 2021 CJS appropriations bill recognizes and acts on the urgent need for meaningful police reform, racial justice, and the defense of civil rights for every American. Strong funding in this bill will support law enforcement reform at the state and local level while catalyzing economic development in disadvantaged communities that is fundamental to a more just and equitable society.”

A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill is here.

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