03.08.2024

Shaheen Lauds U.S. Senate Passage of Six Appropriations Bills, Averting Partial Government Shutdown

*** Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill , Drafted by a Subcommittee which Shaheen Chairs, is Part of Package and Includes Key New Hampshire Investments***

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, lauded U.S. Senate passage of six bipartisan appropriations bills, which averted a partial government shutdown. Included in the package was the bipartisan CJS legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2024, totaling $68.5 billion, that makes critical investments to strengthen the U.S. economy, keep American neighborhoods and families safe and propel cutting-edge science and research. Through her leadership on the CJS Subcommittee, Shaheen negotiated this legislation that invests in important New Hampshire priorities to help respond to the fentanyl and opioid use epidemic, provide resources for domestic and sexual violence survivors, give police the tools they need to keep communities safe, further Granite State leadership in science and innovation, help boost New Hampshire businesses and much more.

“I am glad the Congress finally worked together to pass this critical package of appropriations bills to address a wide range of important issues while also averting a harmful partial government shutdown. The bipartisan fiscal year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill will help keep our communities and nation secure, further United States leadership in science and innovation, and assist in the growth and prosperity of American businesses and good jobs,” said Senator Shaheen. “As Chair of the CJS Subcommittee, I have worked to ensure this bill gives our communities the tools they need to build a safe and prosperous future, and I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”

Summary of Shaheen priorities included in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024:

Support for Ocean Research & Conservation Efforts and Weather Satellites

Senator Shaheen secured $6.3 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This includes $224 million for NOAA climate research and $2.2 billion for NASA Earth Science, both of which work to combat the climate crisis and are level with the FY 2023 enacted levels. This funding will help coastal communities in New Hampshire and across the nation bolster their resilience to changing climate, as well as support ocean health and research. In addition, the bill invests in successful job-creating programs, sustainable economic development and environmental restoration.

The bill provides full funding to cover the cost of at-sea monitoring in the New England groundfish fishery and supports the integration of collected data to improve stock assessment models. The bill also includes nearly $2 million in funding to support young fishermen and promote workforce development in working fisheries including nearly $1 million specifically designated for activities to support young fishermen in New Hampshire through a Congressionally Directed Spending project. Senator Shaheen also secured an increase of $10 million for research and conservation efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, for a total of $60 million, of which $36 million will support States with testing and voluntary deployment of innovative gear. The bill further includes $4.5 million specifically targeted for research related to key New England seafood species, including to study the effects of climate change, as well as $1 million for research into the impacts of PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern in coastal regions.

Additionally, Shaheen secured $1.4 billion for NOAA weather and climate satellites, an increase of $86 million, or 6.5 percent above the FY 2023 enacted level. The bill provides sufficient funding to keep the construction of the current generation of polar, geostationary and space weather satellites on track. Polar weather satellites help forecast weather to protect property and economic security for families in New Hampshire and across the nation.

Secured Vital Funding for Economic Development, Trade, and Manufacturing

Senator Shaheen secured $468 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which awards infrastructure and planning grants to communities around the country. The EDA has recently awarded grants to Granite State communities for a wide variety of projects, including a $44 million award for Manchester’s biofabrication cluster. The EDA funding Senator Shaheen secured also includes $4.5 million to assist communities recovering from biomass plant closures, $41 million for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program, $3 million for EDA’s partnership with the Northern Border Regional Commission and $25 million for the Good Jobs Challenge—a new program funding employer-led workforce training systems and partnerships to train and place American workers into high-quality jobs to support regional economies.

Senator Shaheen’s funding bill also invests in advanced manufacturing, providing $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Senator Shaheen also secured $4.5 million for NIST for Regenerative Medicine standards and research to develop clinical measurement standards that will serve as the foundation for advancements in biomanufacturing technologies and treatments and $3 million for NIST PFAS standards and research, while directing NIST to further study sources of PFAS exposure for firefighters.

Keeping Communities and the Nation Safe

The bill provides necessary funding for our federal law enforcement personnel to keep Americans safe and supports state and local law enforcement with new resources to hire over 2,000 additional officers nationwide. The bill funds Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program—the core of federal funding for state and local law enforcement—at $924 million, an increase of $153 million more than the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. Byrne-JAG core funding to states and territories is $345.5 million. New Hampshire’s total state and local allocation in FY 2023 is approximately $1.5 million.

The bill delivers a significant increase in funding for the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to prevent violence against women and better support survivors. Specifically, the bill provides OVW $713 million for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant programs—the highest funding level ever. This includes:

$255 million for STOP Formula grants to develop and strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to violence against women and to support and enhance services for victims;
$10 million for implementation of the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Bill of Rights grant program, which Shaheen authored and became law in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act;
$78.5 million for the Sexual Assault Services Program;
$50 million for transitional housing assistance for survivors of domestic violence;
$50 million for rural domestic violence assistance;
$55 million for legal assistance for victims of domestic and sexual violence; and
$10 million for a new program to increase access to sexual assault nurse exams.

The bill also provides critical funding for the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to support America’s youth. OJJDP is funded at $375 million. The bill includes funding for vital programs including youth mentoring grants ($104 million), Victims of Child Abuse Act grants ($41 million) and Missing and Exploited Children Program grants ($103 million).

Finally, the bill works to combat the opioid crisis impacting communities across the country with $579.5 million in dedicated grant funding to be used in response to the substance use disorder crisis. Of this, $420 million is for Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) grants, which fund specialized court docket programs like drug, mental health and veteran treatment courts and substance abuse treatment programs administered by state and local correctional facilities. The bill also funds the COPS anti-heroin task force program at $35 million.

Advances Cutting-edge Research and Invests in American Competitiveness.

The bill delivers $10.6 billion to implement the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, of which $9.06 billion supports the National Science Foundation’s critical mission. It provides $1.46 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—including a $127 million (or 13 percent) increase in funding for NIST’s measurement labs and research to propel breakthroughs in cutting-edge fields like carbon dioxide removal, artificial intelligence, quantum information science and cybersecurity. The bill also provides up to $10 million for NIST to establish a U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute and to implement NIST’s responsibilities under the landmark Artificial Intelligence Executive Order released last year. NIST will set the develop standards, tools, and tests to help ensure AI systems operate safely.

Continues America’s Leadership in Space

To support America’s continued leadership in space, Shaheen helped secure $24.875 billion for NASA to bolster climate research and space missions. The bill also includes an increase of $200 million to return Americans to the Moon, including the first female and first person of color. Additionally, within the $7.33 billion Shaheen secured for NASA Science, $805 million is for NASA Heliophysics, an increase of $54 million above the President’s request level. The University of New Hampshire is a leading heliophysics research institution, with instruments on 12 of 18 operating heliophysics missions, as well as 4 of the 13 missions under development.

Senator Shaheen also included the following Congressionally Directed Spending projects for New Hampshire, totaling more than $83.5 million.

Congressionally Directed Spending Secured under the FY 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

Project Location	Recipient Name	Project Purpose	Amount
Ashland, NH	School Administrative Unit #2	CDS funding for this project will be used to retrofit two public school buildings into net-zero buildings.	$1,353,000
Berlin, NH	White Mountain Community College	Funds will be used to renovate and upgrade the science and nursing laboratories at the main campus in Berlin, NH.	$1,000,000
Carroll County, NH	Carroll County	Carroll County will use CDS funding to renovate its former nursing home and create a community hub of municipal, educational and social services.	$2,000,000
Warren, NH	Warren School District	CDS funds will be used to implement the first step of a four-step process to convert the Warren Village School to a net-zero building.	$1,147,000
Whitefield, NH	Whitefield Public Library	The Town of Whitefield will use these funds to address deficits in the current library structure. Funds will be used to renovate the existing 1904 Carnegie library and to expand the space to better meet the needs of library programming and the greater Whitefield community.	$1,000,000

Congressionally Directed Spending Secured under the FY 2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill

Project Location	Recipient Name	Project Purpose	Amount
Plymouth, NH	Plymouth State University	CDS funding will be used to support integrated improvements and upgrades to Plymouth State University’s heating and energy infrastructure.	$4,675,000

Congressionally Directed Spending Secured under the FY 2024 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill

Project Location	Recipient Name	Project Purpose	Amount
Atkinson, NH	Atkinson Police Department	CDS funding will be used toward the purchase of mobile data terminals and related equipment, including in-car printers, power adapters, and antennas to be installed in front-line police cruisers of the Atkinson, NH Police Department.	$28,000
Claremont, NH	City of Claremont	The City of Claremont will use this funding to supplement local funds toward a $2.3M project to enhance public safety by outfitting the Claremont Police Department with updated communications and record-keeping technology.	$1,300,000
Berlin, NH	Berlin Police Department	These funds will be used for communications equipment to improve operational coordination for the City of Berlin’s public safety departments.	$355,000
Dover, NH	City of Dover	The City of Dover will use these funds to replace the aging dispatch console. This equipment is vital for the dispatching of Dover Police, Dover Fire and Rescue as well as the Rollinsford Fire Department.	$438,000
Cheshire County, NH	Cheshire County	CDS funding will support the purchase of a virtual reality training simulator system for Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office for use by about 150 officers in the county to develop community-oriented policing skills, including cultural sensitivity, bias training, mental health awareness, and de-escalation techniques.	$80,000
Grafton County, NH	Grafton County Sheriff’s Office	Funding will be used to equip police department officers with portable radio equipment.	$520,000
Merrimack County, NH	Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office	Funding will be used to install mobile data terminals in each sheriff's department cruiser.	$261,000
Merrimack, NH	Merrimack Police Department	CDS funds will be used to purchase body worn/cruiser cameras for all of the department's uniformed officers and marked cruisers.	$420,000
Newmarket, NH	Newmarket Police Department	CDS funds will be used to purchase technology, which offers computer aided dispatch, record management system software and hardware servers.	$358,000
Newport, NH	Newport Police Department	CDS funds will be used to replace outdated dispatch radio consoles that serve agencies throughout Sullivan County.	$218,000
Merrimack County, NH	NH Department of Safety	CDS funds will be used to update the statewide Land Mobile Radio network to support first responder communications across the state.	$4,878,000
Strafford County, NH	Strafford County Sheriff’s Office	CDS funding will be used to purchase current production two-way radios that meet safety and interoperability standards, allowing the agency’s communications to seamlessly integrate with modern radio systems.	$715,000
Windham, NH	Windham Police Department	CDS funding will be used to replace the Windham Police Department’s radio system, providing interconnection between multiple radio sites and agencies.	$419,000
Alton, NH	Alton Police Department	Funds will be used to purchase equipment and associated software and storage to implement a body worn camera program for the Alton Police Department.	$255,000
Concord, NH	Concord Police Department	CDS funding will support the procurement of specialized crime scene forensic equipment and training.	$73,000
Derry, NH	Derry Police Department	Funding will provide the Derry Police Department with 63 body-worn camera units and fully equip fifteen marked cruisers with integrated In-car Video Systems, as well as associated Wireless Access Points and necessary training and start-up equipment.	$586,000
Franklin, NH	Franklin Police Department	CDS funding will be used to purchase 24 body-worn cameras and in-car camera systems to improve transparency and accountability in interactions between officers and members of the public.	$208,000
Hampton Falls, NH	Hampton Falls Police Department	The CDS Funds will be used to purchase a virtual simulator which will provide real-life virtual training scenarios to the Hampton Falls Police Department and be open to use by surrounding police agencies.	$38,000
Hampton, NH	Hampton Police Department	The Hampton Police Department will use these funds to create a team to provide an enhanced criminal justice response that serves the community through skilled prosecution, support for crime victims and an appropriate response to individuals with behavioral health needs.	$200,000
Hillsborough County, NH	Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office	CDS funding will be used to purchase modern equipment and technology needed to implement an effective de-escalation program.	$276,000
Rochester, NH	Rochester Police Department	Rochester PD will utilize these funds to replace their aging In-Car Camera video systems in their 13 front line patrol vehicles.	$123,000
Stratham, NH	Stratham Police Department	CDS funding will be used to purchase equipment for use during active threat incidents.	$53,000
Mont Vernon, NH	Town of Mont Vernon	CDS funding will support the purchase of 8 body-worn cameras for the Mont Vernon Police Department.	$25,000
New Hampton, NH	Town of New Hampton	CDS funding will be used to purchase a new public safety cruiser vehicle.	$80,000
Manchester, NH	Manchester School District	Funds will be used to provide training in active attack response protocols for school district staff.	$48,000
Lebanon, NH	Aviation Museum of NH	CDS funds will be used to support the building of a two-seat aircraft by students at Lebanon High School.	$90,000
Manchester, NH	Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)	CDS funding will be used to build out a biofabrication standards test lab that will allow proper characterization and standards assurance for the new medical technology being developed at ARMI.	$1,200,000
Plymouth, NH	Plymouth State University	CDS funds will be used to support the creation of a new cybersecurity education program at Plymouth State University.	$1,000,000
Durham, NH	University of New Hampshire	CDS funding will support initial construction of an innovation community where UNH faculty, staff and student researchers can work, live and learn adjacent to industry and government partners	$5,000,000
Carroll County, NH	Mount Washington Observatory	Funds will be used to purchase equipment to measure wind speed as well as updated research instrumentation; for the planning and design of software to automate error checking of observational reports and creation of a web-based portal for public access of historic weather data.	$1,538,000
Seabrook, NH	New England Young Fishermen’s Alliance	CDS funds will be used to provide training, resources and networking opportunities to the workforce of the New Hampshire commercial fishing industry	$956,000
Hampton, NH	Seabrook-Hampton Estuary Alliance	CDS funding will enable the Seabrook-Hampton Estuary Alliance to increase coordination with local and regional estuarine-focused partners, create a salt marsh monitoring program and build local community capacity.	$1,473,000

Congressionally Directed Spending Secured under the FY 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

Project Location	Recipient Name	Project Purpose	Amount
Durham, NH	University of New Hampshire	Funds will support research related to water quality and pollution: specifically, understanding changes in nuisance seaweeds that are related to nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants, stormwater and septic tanks.	$1,150,000
Lancaster, NH	Town of Lancaster	The Town of Lancaster intends to use these funds to finalize a phased comprehensive water, sewer, drainage, roadway and sidewalk infrastructure improvement project situated at the northern end of Summer Street.	$3,000,000
Manchester, NH	City of Manchester	Funds will be used to make improvements to Bass Island Park, to the boat launch and peninsula on the Piscataquog River in order to prevent erosion and improve stormwater control.	$91,000
Portsmouth, NH	City of Portsmouth	Funds will be used to purchase a conservation easement on a 45-acre parcel that directly abuts the Bellamy Reservoir in Madbury, NH.	$714,000
Moultonborough, NH	Lake Winnipesaukee Association	Funds will be used to implement best management practices at three to four high priority sites identified in the 2022 watershed-based plan. The identified projects will mitigate stormwater runoff and erosion from steep slopes and private gravel roads around the lake.	$150,000
Milford, NH	Town of Milford	Funds will be used to design, and construct proposed municipal drinking water system improvements for the Town of Milford.	$1,500,000
Conway, NH	U.S. Forest Service	CDS funding will be used for planning and design for a new net-zero facility to replace the Saco Ranger Station.	$1,550,000
Tilton, NH	Town of Tilton	Funds will be used to restore Tilton Island Park Bridge.	$500,000

Congressionally Directed Spending Secured under the FY 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill

Project Location	Recipient Name	Project Purpose	Amount
Merrimack County, NH	New Hampshire National Guard	This project will demolish existing diesel and gasoline storage tanks and dispensers and reconfigure the area with new tanks and dispensers of the appropriate size and design.	$4,000,000
Pembroke, NH	New Hampshire National Guard	Funds will be used to construct a 9,450 square foot covered parking canopy with a 300 kilowatt solar photovoltaic rooftop array.	$5,000,000
Strafford, NH	New Hampshire National Guard	Funds will be used to construct a 38,295 square foot Physical Fitness Center. This facility is designed to provide soldiers with the resources to meet and maintain the physical fitness requirements outlined for the Army Combat Fitness Test for the New Hampshire Army National Guard.	$9,000,000

Congressionally Directed Spending Secured under the FY 2024 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Project Location	Recipient Name	Project Purpose	Amount
Bethlehem, NH	Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN)	Funds will be used to remediate an ongoing flooding issue in WREN’s lower level. The project includes installation of a French drain and drainage system in WREN’s Pocket Park and repairs and remodeling to WREN’s basement, which will be repurposed for additional space to assist WREN’s clients.	$72,000
Bristol, NH	Bristol Recreation Advisory Council	Funds will be used to construct a new community center that will meet the growing needs of the service area, especially in the childcare and summer camp programs.	$1,500,000
Claremont, NH	West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts	Funding will renovate the second and third floors of the Historic Claremont National Bank building into a unique purpose-built arts education space and to provide music and creative arts instruction to youth in and around Claremont.	$2,300,000
Colebrook, NH	North Country Community Recreation Center	Funds will be used to help construct a Wellness Center on the site of the former North Country Community Recreation Center. The Wellness Center will provide a medical fitness model to include an indoor walking track, a small therapy pool, rehabilitation services, an exercise gym, and programs.	$2,700,000
Conway, NH	Starting Point Carroll County	Starting Point will use these funds to provide necessary repairs and renovations to their emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as human trafficking. These include energy efficient lighting, metal roof replacement and solar panel purchase and installation.	$200,000
Derry, NH	Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire (FPSNH)	These funds will be used to renovate the former Vintage Grace Adult Day Care facility in Derry, New Hampshire in order to house up to 12 families from Rockingham County in FPSNH’s Transitional Housing Program.	$2,136,000
Epping, NH	Farmsteads of New England	These funds will help develop 8 units of housing, 4 in each of 2 buildings on its Redberry Farm in Epping, NH.	$1,330,000
Franklin, NH	City of Franklin	Funds will be used to complete in-river features suitable for Olympic-style competition. This includes construction of a ledge-hole feature to allow for whitewater kayaking, a 400-foot slalom course, and a standing wave feature to allow for surfing and similar activities.	$2,500,000
Gorham, NH	New Hampshire Catholic Charities	Funds will be used to purchase land that will be the site of a facility to be used jointly by the New Hampshire Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club. Funds will also be utilized for soft costs associated with constructing the facility, including legal assistance, permitting and design.	$1,000,000
Londonderry, NH	The Granite YMCA	Funds will support the building of a new full-service YMCA facility to serve the Derry, Londonderry, and Windham communities.	$500,000
Manchester, NH	City of Manchester- Department of Public Works	Funds will be used to upgrade 28 signalized intersections in the downtown area.	$850,000
Merrimack County, NH	Concord Coalition to End Homelessness	Funds will be used for the development of a Homeless Resource Center Hub (Resource Center) that will be a base for agencies to coordinate integrated services for people experiencing homelessness in Concord, NH.	$2,000,000
Somersworth, NH	City of Somersworth	Funds will be used to improve the Somersworth Public Library by increasing accessibility and constructing a new community space.	$500,000
Nashua, NH	New Hampshire Department of Transportation	This funding will support the installation of a new pedestrian bridge in Nashua, NH alongside the existing railroad bridge on the Nashua River.	$500,000
Littleton, NH	New Hampshire Department of Transportation	These funds will be used by the town to plan for roadway improvements in the Town of Littleton.	$365,000
Manchester, NH	New Hampshire Department of Transportation	Funds would be utilized in Manchester to update and ensure ADA compliance for pedestrian infrastructure centered around the core of the downtown area.	$1,500,000
Wentworth, NH	New Hampshire Department of Transportation	This funding will be used to engineer, construct and replace the East Side Road bridge, located in Wentworth, NH, a local Red List Bridge.	$1,200,000
Gorham, NH	New Hampshire Department of Transportation	Funds will be used to install concrete and ADA compliant sidewalks along Main Street in Gorham, NH, as well as Complete Streets upgrades to include bike lanes with painted symbols, creating buffer zones where possible, painting sharrows and completing necessary streetscaping.	$1,372,000