Senate Committee on Appropriations Markup: “Full Committee Markup of Commerce, Justice, Science; Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA; and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts”

Thursday, July 10, 2025 

 Watch the Markup 

 Introduction 

The Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Bill is on hold for the timing being. The pause is related to the new location of the FBI headquarters. After the adoption of an amendment offered by CJS Ranking Member Van Hollen, which would block the Trump administration from using funds to move the FBI HQ to anywhere but Greenbelt, Maryland, Republican Committee Members switched their votes to No. The committee’s initial vote on the CJS bill with 21 ayes and 6 nays by voice vote. Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), declared a “recess subject to the call of the chair”. Chair Collins stated that it would be a long recess, with the final action on the bill to be taken at a subsequent markup no date given. 

More Information. 

Key Highlights 

• The FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill includes a total of more than $79.7 billion, a slight increase from current funding. That includes $10.9 billion for the Commerce Department and $36.4 billion for the Justice Department, along with $33.9 billion for science agency, NASA and the National Science Foundation. 

• The CJS appropriations bill provides funding for the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other related agencies. Amendments to the bill were offered. 

• Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-KS) Manager’s Package, which includes a $10 million increase for the National Weather Service (NWS), and requires NWS staffing levels to meet the statutory requirement, passed with unanimous consent. 

• Senator Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) “Houston, We Have a Problem” amendment which addressed the funding gap to move the Space Shuttle exhibit from Virginia to Texas was introduced, then withdrawn. 

• Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) offered and withdrew an amendment that would have benefited Huntsville with additional FBI funding.  

• Senator Brian Schatz’s (D-HI) amendment to maintain National Weather Service’s staffing levels to statutory obligations was rejected. 

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) amendment to reverse the Trump administration’s cancelation of NSF projects was rejected.

Opening Statements 

Full Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) 

Chairwoman Collins expressed her commitment to working with all Senators on writing bills, opening sessions, and coming to order to ensure constituents’ needs are met. She underscored how ninety-two senators contributed to the three bills in question and submitted 6,500 requests, each of which were carefully reviewed. These bills fund important priorities that range from agriculture and scientific research and development to Capitol Police and rural community development. These bills are products of partnership across the aisle, testifying to the importance of Congress to abide by its constitutional duties instead of being subject to partisanship.  

Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA)

Vice Chair Murray echoed sentiments of the committee coming together to pass appropriations bills despite political differences. Sen. Murray emphasized the role Congress needed to play in both passing appropriation bills to serve constituents’ needs and being a counterweight against executive overreach. Murray shares her disapproval of the President in not including important provisions in the bills while including those which may subvert status-quo processes, such as the Presidential use of Congressional funds to move the FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan building. Murray iterates respecting the commitment to stay ready to discuss recissions and to work together on avoiding cuts to federal agencies. Murray stated her belief that the CJS subcommittee is powerful only if Senators work together and trust each other. 

Read the Full Statement. 

Subcommittee Chair Jerry Moran (R-KS) 

CJS Subcommittee Chair Moran presented the appropriation bills in question. The CJS bill focused on funding NASA’s Artemis missions and building the Orion spacecraft. Moran emphasized the provision’s objective in landing Americans on the Moon and Mars before the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Moran stated the importance of the National Weather Service to the functioning of the U.S. economy, outlining the bill’s funding to employ meteorologists and other people to NOAA. Sen. Moran believed the bill was necessary in avoiding a continuing resolution (CR) and in upholding the congressional duties of the Senate.