Senate Appropriations Committee: “Full Committee Markup of the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act”

Senate Appropriations Committee 

“Full Committee Markup of the Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior, State and Foreign Operations, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Acts”  

Thursday, July 25, 2024    

Watch the Markup 

Introduction

The Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) held a full committee markup of three appropriations bills, including the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act for FY25 on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The bill provides $73.735 billion in discretionary funding – $5.2 billion above FY24. The full committee approved the bill in a 26-3 vote. The House Appropriation Committee (HAC) passed their version of the CJS Appropriation Act on July 9, 2024, in a 31-26 vote. More information. 

Key Highlights 

• The FY25 CJS Appropriations Act provides $25.434 billion for NASA –  $559 million above FY24. The funding breakdown includes: Exploration ($7.65 billion), the Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission ($236 million), Astrophysics ($1.58 billion – including $187 million for the James Webb Space Telescope), Heliophysics ($812 million), Aeronautics ($966 million), Earth Science ($2.37 billion), and STEM Engagement ($144 million, including $58.5 million for the Space Grant Program, $26 million for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology, and $45.5 million for the Minority University Research and Education Project.) 
• The Act also provides $9.55 billion – $490 million above FY24 – for the National Science Foundation (NSF), $11.2 billion – $635 million above FY24 – to continue implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, and $1.9 billion – $102 million above FY24 – for the construction of NOAA’s weather satellites.
• Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) expressed strong disappointment in NASA’s recent decision to cancel the VIPER rover mission. She requested Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) to collaborate with her as the bill progresses to find ways to repurpose the lander portion of the mission to support Moon to Mars objectives. 

Opening Statements

Full Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA)  

In her opening statement, Chairwoman Murray highlighted the bipartisan CJS bill under consideration and thanked Sens. Shaheen, Moran, and their subcommittee staff for their work on the legislation. She emphasized that the bill includes funding to keep the nation strong and competitive, support the economy, and maintain America’s edge in new technologies like advanced manufacturing and AI. She also noted the crucial investments in groundbreaking scientific research, weather satellites, and NASA missions. Read the Full Statement.  

Full Committee Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME)  

In her opening statement, Ranking Member Collins emphasized the importance of the CJS Funding Bill. She highlighted that the bill supports research and critical scientific and technological fields essential for maintaining our economic and competitive strength. She noted that it also invests in the FAA by providing much-needed additional air traffic controllers and modernizing outdated systems. She commended Sens Shaheen and Moran for their dedicated work on this bill. 

Subcommittee Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) 

In her opening statement, Chairwoman Shaheen underscored the need for budget certainty and timely passage to assure constituents and the business community that Congress is effectively functioning. She emphasized that the FY25 CJS bill meets the subcommittee’s $73.7 billion discretionary funding allocation. She noted key investments include advancing the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, establishing a new AI Safety Institute, funding NOAA’s weather satellites, and supporting NASA’s mission to return astronauts to the moon, including the first woman and person of color, while maintaining US leadership in space. 

Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS)   

In his opening statement, Ranking Member Moran described the FY25 CJS bill as fiscally responsible, noting a modest increase from last year’s spending aimed at addressing gaps and important national priorities. He explained that the bill prioritizes maintaining the National Weather Service’s weather forecasting capabilities, advancing AI and quantum information research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the NSF, and supporting NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon to maintain a strategic advantage over China. He added that the bill is part of a broader effort to enhance U.S. national security and economic well-being, particularly in response to challenges from China. 

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) 

In her statement, Senator Capito expressed disappointment in NASA’s recent decision to cancel the VIPER rover mission, noting its significance for the Artemis program. While not requesting immediate action during the markup, she asked Sens. Sheehan and Moran to work with her as the bill progresses to find ways to repurpose the lander portion of the mission to support Moon to Mars objectives. She emphasized that this mission is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership in science and exploration amid urgent geopolitical competition. 

Consideration of Legislation

A manager’s package of 27 amendments was submitted in connection with the CJS Appropriations Act and approved by voice vote. Of which, the following three amendments relate to space.  

Reported Amendment, Offered by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) 

• On page 152 of the report, in the paragraph titled “Methane Satellites”, strike “30” and insert “15”. 

Reported Amendment, Offered by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)  

• On page 155 of the report, at end of the paragraph titled “Habitable Worlds Observatory”, insert the following: “In addition, the Committee directs NASA to establish the Habitable Worlds Observatory Project Office at Goddard Space Flight Center to leverage existing expertise in astrophysics and segmented mirror technology.” 

Reported Amendment, Offered by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) 

• On page 167 of the report, after the section titled “Unmet Construction Needs” at the end of the first paragraph insert the following as a new paragraph: “Spaceport Infrastructure Investment. — Within available funds and existing authorities, NASA is encouraged to prioritize the most critical needs of its spaceport infrastructure.” 

An archive of the previous markups and hearings coverage is available here.