WASHINGTON—This week, the United States House of Representatives passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of this legislation and secured critical funding for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This bipartisan package of six annual spending bills will adhere to the Fiscal Responsibility Act discretionary spending limits and January’s topline spending agreement. 

“As a longtime member and former Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I am pleased to secure critical funding for the INL,” said Rep. Simpson. “From innovations in nuclear research and integrated energy systems to security solutions that protect our critical infrastructure, the INL makes significant contributions for our country. Supporting the INL has always been one of my top priorities, and I am pleased to see continued support for this Lab in Congress.” 

Highlights of funding include:  

• $326 million for the INL’s Facilities Operations and Maintenance (IFM) account.
• Full funding for the Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project at the Naval Reactors Facility on INL land.  
• $478.205 million in defense environmental cleanup and $11.5M in non-defense environmental cleanup for the Idaho Cleanup Project.  
• Funding for a variety of advanced reactor construction and demonstrations. 
• Funding to facilitate a domestic supply chain of advanced TRISO and High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU).

The INL employs over 6,000 people at its facilities and was one of the state’s top employers in 2022. The INL generated over $120 million for Idaho’s state and local tax revenue last year alone. The total operational impacts of INL in 2022 amounted to $3.38 billion in output and $2.42 billion in gross state product. 

The first set of final Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills contains the following bills:

• Agriculture, Rural Development Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. 
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. 
• Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies. 
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. 
• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. 
• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. 

The measure was approved with a vote of 339-85. This funding package will advance to the Senate for further consideration.