WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAFF) – United States Senator Richard Shelby voted to pass a comprehensive appropriations package containing fiscal year 2023 spending bills.
According to a press release from Sen. Shelby’s office, the package contains funding provisions impacting Alabama.
“Throughout my career, I have done everything in my power to bring success to my home state. The funding for Alabama in this package is significant in terms of the impact it will have on communities and the overall state-wide economy for generations to come. This package also represents a serious commitment to our national defense, aid for Americans in need as a result of natural disasters, and continuing support for the people of Ukraine as they fight against Russian aggression. While the path to get here was winding at times, I am proud that we have completed our work for the American people.
“I have been blessed to represent the great state of Alabama for 36 years in the Senate, and it is my hope that I have left the state better than I found it. I look forward to witnessing the results of this funding and the state’s continued growth as a private citizen in just a few short weeks. Thank you, Alabama. Serving you has been the honor of my lifetime,” Sen. Shelby said in a statement.
The following funding provisions specifically impact North Alabama:
- Army Research – $17 billion for continued investment in transformational technologies to address modern and future Army warfighting needs.
- Hypersonic weapons – fully funds Army hypersonic research, as well as an additional $60 million to develop a common hypersonic glide body and $50 million towards high energy laser development.
- $2.6 billion for Space Launch System, of which $600 million is for concurrent Block 1B development, which is managed by Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
- $110 million for nuclear thermal propulsion, which benefits Marshall Space Flight Center.
- $652 million for FBI construction at Redstone Arsenal, which supports ongoing and growing efforts in Huntsville.
- $44 million military construction project building a Physics Lab at Redstone Arsenal.
- $52 million military construction project building Consolidated Warehouses.
- $6 million military construction project updating Building 6231 at Redstone Arsenal.
- $151 million military construction project for DIA/MSIC’s Advanced Analysis Facility Phase 2.
- $11 million military construction project for Backup Power Generation.
- $30 million in funding for Alabama’s Northern Beltline of the Appalachian Development Highway System.
- $500,000 for the Invasive Species Mitigation Plan to begin the planning, design, initial engineering and project management for construction of carp barriers in the Mississippi River Basin, including the Tennessee River, and the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway.
- $27 million for the Fish and Wildlife Service to combat Asian Carp and enhance efforts in sub-basins of the Mississippi River, which includes key areas of Alabama in the Tennessee and Cumberland basins.
- No less than $10.5 million, $3.5 million above FY22 enacted level, for the NOAA VORTEX-SE program, which is located at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville voted against the bill, stating:
“Democrats have expanded the size of our federal government to a point we can no longer afford. Because of the piecemeal way Congress has approached funding the government over the past two decades, we are forced to consider massive budgets at the last minute. This makes oversight of spending nearly impossible — and worsens inflation that’s crushing working families. Americans have to live within their means while Congress burns money we don’t have. I opposed the omnibus because Congress should be responsible enough to spend no more than we can afford, just as Americans do every day.”
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