Committee Approves FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill

Statement

The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill. As a member of the committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured a range of initiatives to improve research and technology in the Arctic, strengthen public safety in rural Alaska, and ensure Alaska's fisheries continue to thrive. This legislation, which funds the U.S. Department of Commerce and Justice, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies, now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

"I continue to hear from Alaskans about the need for improving public safety, especially in rural communities. I'm proud the Committee was able to come together to find bipartisan solutions to build on my ongoing efforts to address the high rates of violence experienced in far too many of Alaska's communities," said Senator Murkowski. "Alaska's world-class fisheries are a fundamental part of our state's culture and the lifeblood of our economy. The work we've done to recover and protect Alaska's wild salmon stocks and to ensure our fisheries remain the most abundant and sustainably managed in the nation is so important. We've also invested significant federal resources into research initiatives to strengthen our ability to respond to natural disasters, help us more fully understand the impacts of climate change, and protect our marine environments--all significant items for a state like Alaska."

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