WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Related Agencies (CJS) – released the following statement on the CJS division of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 which passed the Senate and now goes to the President to be signed into law:

“This fiscally responsible bill includes essential resources to further our nation’s priorities in scientific innovation, law enforcement and economic development while building on congressional efforts to cut federal spending,” said Sen. Moran. “I am pleased my committee produced a bill that reduces spending by $2.5 billion and protects important priorities for Kansas and our nation. This legislation will benefit Kansans with federal programs aimed at keeping communities safe and providing new infrastructure. It also invests in science and technological research to stay ahead of China and accelerates the goal of returning American astronauts to the Moon — cementing our country’s leadership in space exploration.”

Items to Note:

• Department of Justice: Provides resources to fight violent crime, disrupt and dismantle Mexican drug trafficking networks, apprehend violent fugitives, combat the profusion of cybercrime and counter foreign intelligence threats. This includes grants that strengthen state and local enforcement, improve the administration of justice and support victims of crime:

• Justice Assistance Grants and COPS Office Programs: Provides funding to support local police and sheriffs’ departments and efforts to promote public safety.

• School Boards: Creates new protections for parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings.

• Space Exploration: Supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Exploration program, to ensure the Artemis mission remains on schedule and that United States maintains its strategic superiority in space.

• Department of Commerce: Continues support for the department’s wide variety of programs, including weather forecasting, oceanic and atmospheric monitoring, economic development programs, trade promotion, scientific and technical research, broadband deployment and the protection of intellectual property.

• National Science Foundation: Supports research in fields vital to U.S. national and economic security, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

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