November 17, 2005

Appropriations Season: Updates from Capitol Hill

Following the same action taken last week by the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate voted yesterday to pass the final version of the CJS / SSJC appropriations bill. This measure provides the annual budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including its Office of Education and Sustainable Development's (OESD) environmental literacy grants program. Provided for this OESD initiative is a full $5 million for FY 2006.

President Bush had proposed in February 2005 that funding for this program be completely eliminated from the FY 2006 budget. Congress, however, did not follow the President's lead, choosing instead to continue the program's funding for another year.

In total, this bill will provide NOAA with a FY 2006 budget of $3.9 billion, an increase of .5% over FY 2005 funding levels.

This spending measure has been sent to the President, where it awaits his signature.