Schiff Applauds Passage of Appropriations Bill to Fund Major Priorities
Funding Bill Includes Investment in Space Exploration, Earth Science Research, and Early Earthquake Warning System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) released a statement in response to the passage of an appropriations bill with funding for space exploration, earth science research, and early earthquake warning systems:
“Scientific research, advances, and discoveries have the potential to expand understanding of our planet and the universe beyond it, and to make life better and safer for all who inhabit it,” said Rep. Schiff. “I am pleased that the House prioritized critical investments today through the passage of the Appropriations bill, which will keep us on track to do a sample return from Mars, launch a spacecraft into the orbit of and one day touch down on Europa, and deepen our knowledge of planet Earth as we confront the reality of climate change. I am also pleased that the House again provided strong support for earthquake early warning, as California and the West Coast continue to rollout a system that will save lives and property when the next big quake strikes. American leadership in space exploration, scientific research and technology has long been a key driver of our economic growth and, with sustained investment, will continue to be for years to come.”
Highlights of the appropriations bill include funding for the following Schiff priorities:
- Providing $570 million for the Mars Exploration Program to ensure the launch of the Mars 2020 mission and to further development of a mission to return samples from Mars’ surface to Earth, to be launched in 2026;
- Providing funding at the requested amount for the Europa Clipper Mission, to launch a spacecraft into the orbit of Jupiter’s moon Europa by 2023, and a lander launch no later than 2025, plus $60 million for “Icy Satellites Surface Technology,” to study landing on the surface of an icy planet;
- Providing $2.023 billion, a $92 million increase from FY2019, in funding for Earth Science, to fuel the critical work of studying planet Earth and its inhabitants, a pressing priority given the reality of climate change.
- Providing $19 million for continued development and expansion of the ShakeAlert West Coast earthquake early warning system, and $6.7 million in infrastructure funding for capital costs.
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