A spending bill that includes money for fisheries research and essential air service was passed by the United States Senate earlier today.

The so-called “minibus” bill allocates $67 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That money will be spent on stock assessments that determine how healthy the nation’s commercial fisheries are, and how much fish can be caught. Only $51 million was allocated toward the program during the last fiscal year.

Additionally, funding for the Essential Air Service program was bumped up from $130 million to $143 million. Forty airports in the state of Alaska receive EAS subsidies, including Atka and Adak.

Both Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Mark Begich voted for the bill. It will now move on to conference committee with the House of Representatives' version before going to the president for approval.