The U.S. Senate passed “minibus” the spending measure last week. This legislative package includes appropriations bills pertaining to the recreational boating industry’s top funding priorities. The programs are vital to the promotion and protection of boating access and local economies in the Great Lakes region.
Important initiatives such as the Great Lakes restoration, marine sanctuaries and outdoor recreation are included in the minibus. Not to mention, the spending measure also includes a study on identifying how much the federal government invests in outdoor recreation. This effort is lead by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) has made funding for these programs a top priority, and you can find brief summaries of the specific provisions here on their website.
There are still some unfinished spending measures the Senate is addressing such as the funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After the minibus was passed, the U.S. House and Senate started working out the differences in spending bills that have passed their chambers.
