Federal Omnibus Bill Includes Millions For Alaska, GM Salmon Provision

Alaska stands to get a much-needed economic boost from the omnibus bill passed by the U.S. Senate to fund the government through the end of fiscal year 2017, including protections for the state’s fisheries, says Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

While admittedly a bit disconcerted over having to go to a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Sept. 30, Murkowski said the omnibus bill also would help boost Alaska’s contribution to national defense, combat the opioid epidemic, address high energy costs and fight wildfires.

Important to Alaska’s fishing industry is a provision within the bill blocking the Food and Drug Administration from introducing genetically modified salmon into the market until the FDA publishes labeling guidelines, so consumers are aware of what the product they are buying contains.

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