HYDE-SMITH PUTS PUBLIC SAFETY FOCUS ON COMMERCE, JUSTICE & SCIENCE FUNDING BILL
Senate Gives Final Approval of Bill to Fund Public Safety, Science Work in Mississippi
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today highlighted benefits for Mississippi included in the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill, which was passed by the Senate on Thursday.
Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the CJS funding bill will support law enforcement, economic development, scientific research, and other national priorities. The bill, passed 82-15 as part of a three-bill funding package (HR.6938), now heads to President Trump for his consideration.
“As part of this Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill, I’ve worked with my colleagues to support public safety on national and local levels. At the same time, we’ve funded critical scientific and technological fields which involve NASA’s presence in Mississippi and our research universities,” Hyde-Smith said. “I’m pleased it is set to be signed into law.”
The following are among the items of interest to Mississippi in the FY2026 CJS Appropriations Bill:
- Mississippi State University Agriculture Autonomy Technology – $1.1 million
- Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries Parks Marine Foundation Oyster Restoration – $1.0 million
- City of West Point Crime Prevention – $1.0 million
- City of Meridian Real Time Crime Center – $750,000
- City of Florence Public Safety Technology and Equipment Upgrades – $500,000
- City of Corinth Vehicle Fleet Expansion and Vehicle Equipment – $483,000
Hyde-Smith also worked to secure funding for other projects led by Mississippi State University, Ole Miss, the University of Southern Mississippi, and other schools with appropriations for the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other agencies.
The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration is tasked with promoting exports from small- and medium-sized businesses and protecting U.S. businesses from unfair competition in the United States. Hyde-Smith supported the inclusion of language to protect sensitive U.S. agricultural IP from forced export by adversaries, as well as funding and language for the Electronic Logbook program to help Gulf shrimp fishermen comply with NOAA reporting regulations.
The bill would provide level funding for NASA Rocket Propulsion Testing at the Stennis Space Center. It funds the NASA Space Grant Program and the NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCOR) initiative, both of which involve the University of Mississippi.
The FY2026 CJS Appropriations Bill fully funds the Justice Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which provides vital dollars to support services for victims of all crimes, including those impacted by domestic abuse and child abuse. The bill also sustains funding for drug courts and Regional Information Sharing Systems – all of which are of interest to Mississippi.
The enactment of this three-bill package will mean Congress has approved six of the 12 annual appropriations bills for FY2026. HR.6938 spends less money—$10 billion less—than if these agencies were funded under a continuing resolution. Congress has until January 30 to act on the remaining FY2026 funding bills before the current continuing resolution expires.
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