U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, initiated a Senate Appropriations Committee markup to consider several Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations acts. These include the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
In her opening remarks, Senator Murray acknowledged key contributors: "I’d like to thank Vice Chair Collins, Senators Shaheen and Moran, the Chair and Ranking Member of the CJS Subcommittee; Senators Merkley and Murkowski, the Interior Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member; Senators Coons and Graham, the SFOPS Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member; and Senators Schatz and Hyde-Smith, the THUD Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member."
Senator Murray highlighted past successes: "We passed three bills in overwhelming votes last time—thanks to everyone who put politics aside, and put solutions first." She emphasized that it is crucial not to shortchange families or communities.
She expressed satisfaction with bipartisan cooperation: "Vice Chair Collins and I were able to reach a bipartisan agreement to make these investments possible with much-needed additional funding for nondefense and defense alike."
Murray detailed specific areas of investment covered by these bills. They include addressing housing crises through affordable housing initiatives, strengthening economic infrastructure via scientific research funding linked to the CHIPS Act, weather satellites essential for forecasting industries' needs as well as NASA missions. The bills also support trade relations infrastructure such as ports.
Public safety investments are another focus: "These bills invest in keeping people safe—with funding to hire air traffic controllers, rail safety inspectors," among others. Environmental concerns are addressed through clean air initiatives combatting climate change.
The legislation also aims at bolstering global leadership amid geopolitical tensions: "They deliver crucial investments in diplomacy...given aggressive moves from our adversaries."
Murray concluded by urging continued bipartisan effort: "We have already passed three bills unanimously. And I hope...we can keep the momentum going today."
The session was then handed over to Vice Chair Collins for further comments.
