The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) welcomes the bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 consolidated appropriations bills (H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865) passed by Congress. By finalizing all 12 appropriations bills for the fiscal year, Congress has averted another costly continuing resolution or shutdown, which harm our economy and undermine a properly functioning federal government.

 

“Passing full-year appropriations provides the federal government with the timely resources and certainty needed to achieve America’s policy priorities,” said AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning. “This investment will help the aerospace and defense industry bolster American innovation and empower our workforce to take on the challenges of the 21st century. We urge the President to sign these bills into law and Congress to use this bipartisan spending package as a roadmap for returning to regular order for FY21.”

 

H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865 provide increased resources for critical agencies that support a healthy aerospace and defense industrial base: 

 

  • The Department of Defense will receive full funding at the level called for in the 2019 Bipartisan Budget Act, including a 3.5 percent increase in investment appropriations.

 

  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will receive a much-needed 5 percent increase, including solid funding across NASA’s science, exploration, technology, education, and aeronautics programs. They also provide important funding for the Artemis program – setting the stage to bring Americans back to the surface of the Moon and then to Mars.

 

  • The Federal Aviation Administration will receive additional funding for aviation safety oversight, unmanned aircraft systems integration, aviation workforce development grants, and other efforts necessary to fulfill the promise of last year’s reauthorization act.

 

  • The Department of Education will receive increased funding for expanded opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and additional resources for Minority Serving Institutions.

 

  • The U.S. Export-Import Bank will be reauthorized for seven years and remain a powerful tool that helps American exporters, including small businesses, compete in an increasingly global market.