WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, May 17 Congressman Robert Aderholt, released the following statement in regard to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science 2019 funding bill.
“This CJS funding bill we have put together addresses the needs of NASA, our border security and helping to protect rural American towns from gang violence.
“Since its creation, NASA has been a source of great pride for our nation. However, for far too long and by too many people in Washington, while NASA was being lauded for its achievements and positive impact, it was being starved of funding. This bill is a real effort to change this and give NASA the resources it deserves.
Robert Aderholt
Funding highlights for NASA”
-This bill funds my requests for Space Exploration at $2.15 billion for the Space Launch System, and $1.35 billion for the Orion capsule.
-The SLS funds include $300 million to expedite the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS).
-Next generation capabilities are also well-supported, including my request of $150 million for a robust funding of a demonstration project for nuclear thermal propulsion. This technology will enhance the safety and speed of human space travel deep into our solar system.
-Additive manufacturing work done at the Marshall Space Flight Center, as well as SLS budgeting for the Europa Science mission.
“In addition to funding and rebuilding the greatness of our nation’s space program, this CJS bill also address needs that have been ignored back here on the ground. We are putting more money into fighting illegal immigration, combatting the opioid epidemic, and targeting gang violence that threatens smaller communities. I’m Proud that the bill also included $2 million in grant fund assistance to state and local corrections officers to secure technology solutions to combat the use of contraband cell phones. This is in direct response to a conversation I had with Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn as he looks for ways to thwart cell phones in prisons used to direct criminal activities from behind bars.
Other funding highlights:
-100 new immigration judges to clear out a backlog of cases and prevent those who have entered the country illegally from simply slipping through the cracks and remaining in the country.
-$380 million in grants to resolve problems from opioid abuse.
-$441.5 million for Byrne/JAG grants, with language specifying that there be assistance to towns with a population of less than 25,000 to help deal with gang violence.
“Our focus in this bill has been to do the most good for our nation. We have always been a nation of explorers and it’s time we got back to leading the world in this effort. We have also always been a nation that believes in the rule of law. This bill supports all those ideals. I encourage my colleagues in the full House to support this bill, as we work with Senate to get a bill to the President’s desk.”
Media Release/Carson G. Clark, Press Secretary Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-4)
