- Senate panel approves Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill
- Measure would increase spending from fiscal 2024 levels
Budgets for artificial intelligence, semiconductor development and other federal science and technology programs would be expanded under a $73.7 billion discretionary spending measure advanced by Senate appropriators Thursday.
The legislation would increase the budgets of the Commerce and Justice departments for fiscal 2025 along with related agencies. The committee voted 26-3 to approve the bill, clearing the way for a Senate floor vote. The measure sets spending at $5.2 billion higher than current levels, according to a bill summary from the panel.
The bill includes $11.5 billion for the Commerce Department, a $717 million boost from fiscal 2024. It would also provide $38.4 billion for the Justice Department, a $906 million increase from the current level. The spending levels contrast with cuts proposed by House Republican appropriators, signaling difficult negotiations ahead when lawmakers return in the fall from August recess.
Still, both House and Senate measures proposed boosting spending for science-related agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.
The Senate measure provides $9.6 billion for the NSF—a $490 million increase—aimed in part at implementing 2022’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law 117-167) and supporting research into AI and other emerging technologies. The bill overall includes $11.2 billion, an increase of $635 million—to continue implementing the CHIPS law.
The proposal would also include $25.4 billion for NASA, which is $559 million more than the current level. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a lab housed within Commerce that has been leading AI research, would receive $1.5 billion.
Republicans Advance Funding Bill with Cuts to Justice, Commerce
“This bipartisan bill makes essential new investments to keep our country at the forefront of innovation and keep our communities safe and economy thriving,” Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a statement ahead of the markup.
The House Appropriations Committee July 9 advanced along party lines a $78.3 billion measure that would decrease funding for the Commerce and Justice Departments.
Senate Democrats Propose $55 Million Boost To DOJ Antitrust Unit
House Democrats criticized the $10.3 billion proposed by Republicans for the FBI, a $367.7 million cut from current levels and a long-sought goal of the party that has accused the agency of anti-conservative bias. The bill also included several conservative policy riders on abortion and gun safety. House lawmakers have yet to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
AI, CHIP Act Funding to Expand Under Senate Spending Legislation
bgov.com
July 25, 2024 5:43 pm
Budgets for artificial intelligence, semiconductor development and other federal science and technology programs would be expanded under a $73.7 billion discretionary spending measure advanced by Senate appropriators Thursday.
The legislation would increase the budgets of the Commerce and Justice departments for fiscal 2025 along with related agencies. The committee voted 26-3 to approve the bill, clearing the way for a Senate floor vote. The measure sets spending at $5.2 billion higher than current levels, according to a bill summary from the panel.
The bill includes $11.5 billion for the Commerce Department, a $717 million boost from fiscal 2024. It would also provide $38.4 billion for the Justice Department, a $906 million increase from the current level. The spending levels contrast with cuts proposed by House Republican appropriators, signaling difficult negotiations ahead when lawmakers return in the fall from August recess.
Still, both House and Senate measures proposed boosting spending for science-related agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.
The Senate measure provides $9.6 billion for the NSF—a $490 million increase—aimed in part at implementing 2022’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law 117-167) and supporting research into AI and other emerging technologies. The bill overall includes $11.2 billion, an increase of $635 million—to continue implementing the CHIPS law.
The proposal would also include $25.4 billion for NASA, which is $559 million more than the current level. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a lab housed within Commerce that has been leading AI research, would receive $1.5 billion.
Republicans Advance Funding Bill with Cuts to Justice, Commerce
“This bipartisan bill makes essential new investments to keep our country at the forefront of innovation and keep our communities safe and economy thriving,” Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a statement ahead of the markup.
The House Appropriations Committee July 9 advanced along party lines a $78.3 billion measure that would decrease funding for the Commerce and Justice Departments.
Senate Democrats Propose $55 Million Boost To DOJ Antitrust Unit
House Democrats criticized the $10.3 billion proposed by Republicans for the FBI, a $367.7 million cut from current levels and a long-sought goal of the party that has accused the agency of anti-conservative bias. The bill also included several conservative policy riders on abortion and gun safety. House lawmakers have yet to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.