Statement from Secretary Ross:

President Trump is once again keeping his promises with a 2019 budget that sets forth an aggressive strategy to keep this country safe, promote economic growth, and curb wasteful Washington spending.

It includes a visionary plan to rebuild our nation’s crumbling infrastructure. President Trump’s bold leadership will remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that stand in the way of new projects, and leverage $200 billion in Federal funds to spur over $1.5 trillion in investment across urban and rural America.

At Commerce, the budget invests in critical institutions that form the bedrock of our modern republic. It provides Census with the funding it needs to ensure a full, fair, and accurate 2020 Census, a solemn Constitutional duty of the Department. It also supports the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite fleet and the National Weather Service, which save countless lives each year by providing accurate and timely weather forecasts.

The budget provides the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Census, and NOAA with the resources they need to produce high-quality data that are the foundation of many American enterprises from agriculture, to manufacturing, to financial services. It also funds our efforts to modernize the way our government promotes minority-owned businesses, positioning the Minority Business Development Agency to help set policy and advocate across all Federal programs.

“An American Budget” helps secure America’s leadership role in the global economy by increasing funding to the Bureau of Industry and Security and the International Trade Administration’s Enforcement and Compliance section while continuing support for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These investments will help us ensure trade is fair, reciprocal, and secure while safeguarding American innovators and technology.

The budget will also help propel our economy into the future, providing resources for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to set standards for cutting-edge industries and lay the groundwork for new and exciting technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration also receives the funding it needs to prepare for the crucial rollout of 5G technology to every corner of America.

Taken in sum, “An American Budget” will provide for a bright future that is strong, safe, and prosperous.   back...