Norman D. Dicks: “First of all, I would like to pass along my appreciation to Chairman Crenshaw and to Ranking Member Honda for their…”

“First of all, I would like to pass along my appreciation to Chairman Crenshaw and to Ranking Member Honda for their willingness to work together in a very bipartisan manner. I also would like to commend the staffs of the majority and minority for their efforts in bringing this bill where we are today. This bill's allocation is just slightly below last year's and is well within the range of what would have been expected had the majority stuck to the discretionary number agreed to in the Budget Control Act. But for the most part, this bill has been protected from Ryan budget austerity. Many programs and agencies important to the operation of Congress have been spared from harmful cuts. Support agencies, such as the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Government Accountability Office are all adequately funded, which will allow them to continue operating without further reductions in staff or services. However, it is important to note that not every account has been spared. As we all know, the Architect of the Capitol is in the middle of an extensive restoration effort. This bill's allocation does not provide the funds needed to begin the second phase of that effort but, rather, cuts the Architect of the Capitol significantly below last year's funding level. As I'd mentioned during the committee markup, I'd rather the dome remain a monument to our Nation's greatness than become a symbol for shortsighted austerity.”