AIA is pleased Congress has passed an omnibus appropriations bill which avoids a year-long continuing resolution. Containing twelve individual appropriations bills, this omnibus agreement follows the responsible dictates of the budget deal Congress negotiated less than two months ago.
The omnibus recognizes that it is in America’s long-term interests to make prudent investments in technology intensive programs that make America stronger, safer and more prosperous. The Federal Aviation Administration is to receive $16.3 billion, including significant increases for Next Gen air transportation modernization initiatives and unmanned aircraft system integration, which are major strategic priorities for AIA and its members. NASA funding is increased to $19.3 billion, including full funding for the Commercial Crew program, which will eventually eliminate American reliance on Russian spacecraft to get our astronauts to the International Space Station. NOAA will receive $5.8 billion for fiscal year 2016, including funding for the Polar Follow-On satellite program, which is essential for data continuity in accurate weather forecasting. Finally, DOD is slated to receive a base budget of $514.1 billion in fiscal year 2016 and $58.6 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funding. Taken together, the agreement provides an additional $23.1 billion for the investment accounts within the DOD base budget – R&D and Procurement – that are critical for our military to maintain its technological edge in an increasingly unstable world. This bill shows in concrete form why it was so important for Congress to provide sequester relief this year, for both defense and non-defense investments.
We are encouraged that Congress has come together in bipartisan fashion to pass this legislation and that President Obama has pledged to sign it into law. It is crucial to our economic health and national security that Congress and the president find common ground to address the many issues and challenges that face our nation today. This legislation sends a strong signal that our national leaders can work together despite policy differences and achieve important outcomes for the American people.
