AIAA Statement on Passage of FY2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act Written 28 December 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 28, 2020 – Reston, Va. –  The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The $1.4 trillion funding package includes approximately $627.3 billion for the DOD, $14.6 billion for the FAA, $23.3 billion for NASA, $1 billion for NIST, $5.4 billion for NOAA, and $5.4 billion for the NSF. It also includes an essential coronavirus stimulus package.

AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement after the president signed the legislation into law:

“The U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise that supports millions of direct and indirect jobs nationally and many more globally. As with many other business sectors, A&D has felt a huge economic impact from the coronavirus pandemic. While these appropriations are welcome, they come three months into the current fiscal year. AIAA—the world’s largest aerospace professional society—continues to call on lawmakers to return to a regular appropriations process. AIAA also encourages lawmakers to take substantial action in the new year to address the needs of the A&D industry. Stable funding will help sustain this crucial industry during these difficult times and maintain the robust and world-leading A&D sector for years to come.

AIAA applauds the decision makers’ efforts to provide economic relief during the coronavirus pandemic through the roughly $900 billion stimulus package. Small businesses, unemployed Americans, and most individuals will feel direct impact. The bill also funds vital vaccine distribution, food assistance, and resources for education, childcare, and housing. Important for the A&D industry, the stimulus extends a reimbursement program for Federal contractors under Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.”

Media contact: Rebecca B. Gray, RebeccaG@aiaa.org, 804.397.5270

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.