U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently led a bipartisan contingent of 27 senators in requesting that federal funding be maintained for the National Sea Grant College Program, which faces elimination under the Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget.
Sen. Collins and her colleagues urged members on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies to at least continue funding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program at its current funding level of $80 million.
“We urge you to reject the administration’s proposed elimination of the National Sea Grant College program,” wrote Sen. Collins and the other lawmakers in an April 9 letter sent to appropriators. “Any cuts to this funding would have a devastating impact and we strongly urge you to reject any proposals to reduce this program.”
Among the lawmakers joining Sen. Collins in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and lead Democrat Chris Murphy (D-CT).
The University of Maine in Sen. Collins’ home state is designated as a Sea Grant College and is one of 33 such NOAA programs throughout the coastal and Great Lakes states that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support research, outreach and education, according to information provided by her staff.
“As senators from some of the states with Sea Grant programs, we see firsthand how this federal investment is leveraged locally to bring immense returns to coastal communities, fishermen, universities, and students,” Sen. Collins and the lawmakers wrote.
Meanwhile, according to the letter, the Sea Grant Association has recommended that the program receive $93.5 million in federal funds to carry out its national work.