Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. released the following statement on the fiscal year 2016 Commerce, Justice, and Space Appropriations bill vote:

"I'm extremely disappointed that hyper-partisan, harmful amendments, including one that would send desperately-needed water out of Sacramento County and risk the health and safety of my constituents, were added to the Commerce, Justice, and Space funding bill. As a result, I could not vote in favor of the current bill. I do, however, strongly support increased investment in the next generation of our space launch and crew programs. Our space programs have led to innovation and new technologies that have grown our economy and improved our lives. I sincerely hope that this robust funding in space exploration and technology is maintained in the final bill and I will continue to fight for investment in our space programs through my role on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology."

The Commerce, Justice, Space Appropriations bill provides funding for a diverse range of programs in the Departments of Justice and Commerce, as well as funding for the National Science Foundation and NASA. For fiscal year 2016 the House bill includes $1.1 billion for the Orion multipurpose crew vehicle, the first new human spacecraft in a generation, and $2.3 billion for space launch systems. Aerojet Rocketdyne, which is headquartered in Rancho Cordova, has been part of both the Orion and space launch system teams.