U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations for the U.S. Department of Commerce after President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 into law.

“Once again, President Biden is showing that the United States government is capable of delivering on its promises to the American people and I congratulate everyone who worked so hard to pass this omnibus spending bill into law before the year’s end. As we successfully implement the programs funded through the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden Administration will continue showing that an economy that invests in the American people is an economy that will create shared prosperity for all. That includes investments in things like high-speed internet for all Americans, job training, high-tech manufacturing, innovation, basic research, and more.

“I’m proud to have worked with members of Congress to get the Department of Commerce the funding we need to make these programs a reality, and I will continue working with Congress to implement a strategy that prioritizes investment at home, while encouraging cooperation and trade with our allies and partners abroad.

“The omnibus spending bill will further enable the Department of Commerce to fulfill its mission of strengthening America’s global competitiveness by allocating the department $11.2 billion in net discretionary funding, an increase of $1.3 billion above the previous fiscal year, and an additional $1.9 billion in emergency relief funding to respond to recent natural disasters, and fund scientific and environmental research and other nondefense related programs:

• $1.54 billion for the Economic Development Administration, including $500 million for Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, $500 million for infrastructure recovery efforts, $200 million for the Recompete Pilot Program, and $295.5 million for other Economic Development Assistance programs.
• $625 million, $55 million above fiscal year 2022, for the International Trade Administration, to help create jobs here at home by increasing U.S. exports, and continued funding for International Trade Administration enforcement and compliance to protect U.S. industries against unfair foreign trade practices.  
• $191 million, an increase of $50 million above fiscal year 2022, for the Bureau of Industry and Security to advance U.S. national security through effective export controls.
• $70 million, an increase of $15 million above fiscal year 2022, for the Minority Business Development Agency to support underserved business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
• $4.25 billion for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to help protect new ideas and investments in American innovation and promote technological progress and achievement.
• $175 million, $17 million above fiscal year 2022, for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program to help small and medium sized American manufacturers create and preserve jobs.
• $7 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including $300 million for fisheries disaster assistance and substantial increases in funding for climate research, fisheries services, and more accurate and reliable weather forecasting.

“In the next year, the Department of Commerce will start accepting applications for CHIPS and Science Act funding that will help to lower the cost of goods, reduce our reliance on foreign chip manufacturers, and create good paying jobs here in America. We will distribute Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to every American. We will invest in the people who drive our economy, particularly those who are historically left out and underserved, by bringing them access to the tools, technologies, and capital they need to thrive. And while we build resiliency and capacity at home, we will also build a modern American investment strategy that expands and enhances international economic engagement in a way that benefits both our allies and our workers, while keeping advanced technology out of the hands of our adversaries.”