Judy Chu: “As written, this partisan Energy and Water appropriations bill undermines the very programs and principles it purports…”

“As written, this partisan Energy and Water appropriations bill undermines the very programs and principles it purports to uphold. This bill will cut over 5 percent of nondefense spending compared to enacted levels, raising prices and making us less prepared to respond to the growing threat of the climate crisis and related natural disasters. By slashing the Department of Energy's efficiency and renewable energy programs, Republicans will increase families' energy costs. By reducing the Department of Energy's loans programs by a whopping $8 billion, Republicans will be killing good-paying jobs, and our capacity to confront the climate crisis will be further hindered. By cutting the weatherization assistance program and prohibiting funding for the Department of Energy's Justice40 Initiative, low-income households will see higher home energy bills. However, this bill goes beyond just harmful energy policies. House Republicans have made it their mission to insert divisive harmful riders in every single appropriations bill this year, and this one is no different. To name just a few, this bill contains provisions that would prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from renaming items commemorating the Confederacy and its glorification of enslavement, prohibit funding of executive orders aimed at advancing racial equity, and it would allow for firearms on public lands.…”