Alan Simpson: “I thank my good friend from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reluctant opposition to H.R. 7617, the…”

“I thank my good friend from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reluctant opposition to H.R. 7617, the six-bill fiscal year 2021 appropriations package that includes the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. I had hoped to have been able to support the appropriations bill this year. Unfortunately, while the bill includes some bipartisan priorities, excessive spending and partisan riders mean I am unable to support the bill at this time. I am pleased that the bill continues significant investments in our Nation's water resources infrastructure, including harbor maintenance activities. Unfortunately, the majority is choosing to ignore several opportunities to enhance water security in the drought-prone West. The bill cuts funding for water storage projects, blocks a critical water storage project in California, and unnecessarily delays the use of previously appropriated funds for other water storage projects. Republicans--in fact, I think every Republican from the California delegation--filed multiple amendments to correct these problems, but none of them were made in order. Even a simple amendment to highlight the importance of funding for water storage projects was left out of the rule. In fact, every other Energy and Water amendment that followed the same format was made in order and will be in en bloc amendments expected to be adopted.…”