Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises Commitments in the FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
Statement
In response to the House Appropriations Committee's passage of the fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement:
"I am pleased to see a large increase in the FY2020 CJS Appropriations bill, which provides almost $74 billion in spending -- a much-needed increase of close to $10 billion from FY2019 spending levels. This is funding for essential justice programs and cutting-edge science and research to advance the country.
"Specifically, I am pleased that the FY2020 CJS appropriations bill includes text that directs the U.S. Census Bureau not to ask any questions pertaining to US citizenship. This is a controversial question is a direct attack on immigrant communities and was completely unnecessary.
"And, by including a critical funding increase for the 2020 Census -- a total of $8.45 billion -- this bill ensures that the Bureau will be able to conduct a thorough and accurate Decennial Census that counts all persons, as required by the Constitution."
The bill also includes:
$44 million for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), to promote the growth of minority-owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research.
$498 million for Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDA) to strengthen local economies and create jobs.
$65 million for Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund to protect, restore, and conserve Pacific salmonids and their habitats.
$9 million for the Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) and Environmental Literacy Grant programs (ELGs), which enable students to learn about our ocean environment and instill lifelong commitment to the importance of ocean stewardship.
$81 million for Coastal Management Grants: Regional Coastal Resilience Grants to strengthen coastal infrastructure and support coastal research, resiliency, conservation, and restoration work.
$56.5 million for Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas to drive visitation and growth, increase community engagement, conduct cooperative research, and enable sanctuaries to respond to the groundswell of communities nationwide seeking to expand sites or propose and designate new ones.
$595 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support research, education, and exploratory programs and partnerships critical to NOAA's overall mission.
$3.4 billion for various state and local law enforcement assistance Justice Grant programs:
$582.5 million for Violence Against Women Act programs
$530.25 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants
$260 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program
$142 million for DNA Initiative Grants
$49 million for Reduce Sexual Assault Kits Backlog grants
$100 million for Anti-Human Trafficking grants
$375 million for Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act grants
$85 million for Missing and Exploited Children programs.
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