Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), the powerful chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday applauded the chamber’s passage of the first appropriations minibus for Fiscal Year 2020, saying the legislative package contains big wins for Alabama.

This came following the Senate passing its substitute to H.R. 3055, a package of FY2020 domestic spending bills which includes measures for the Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies.

In a statement, Shelby said, “Today’s passage of this appropriations package will allow for funding of important priorities for the state of Alabama and our nation.”

“This package prioritizes significant resources for the American people – whether it is improving our infrastructure and housing industry, ensuring our state’s role as a leader in space exploration, or supporting our farmers and rural communities,” he advised. “I am proud we were able to pass this measure, allowing the Senate the opportunity to now move to our robust defense package and fund our military.”

The package passed by an impressive bipartisan vote of 84-9. It included support for various priorities within the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice and Transportation, as well as NASA.

All four of the appropriations bills included in the package were passed by Shelby’s committee with unanimous support.

Detailed information on each of the bills can be found here.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn