On the recordMay 24, 2016
It is my distinct honor to bring this fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act before you today. Before I go into the details, I would like to recognize the hard work of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey on this bill and in the appropriations process in our trying to get back to regular order. I would also like to thank my ranking member, Ms. Kaptur. I appreciate her help and her hard work on this bill. This bill is a better bill because of her input on this legislation. The bill provides $37.4 billion for the activities of the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies under our jurisdiction. This is $259 million more than last year's funding level and is $168 million above the budget request. This is a responsible bill that recognizes the importance of investing in this Nation's infrastructure and national defense. As we do each year, we work hard to incorporate priorities and perspectives from both sides of the aisle. The administration's proposal to cut the programs of the Army Corps of Engineers by $1.4 billion would have led to economic disruptions at our ports and waterways silted in and would have left our communities and businesses vulnerable to flooding. Instead, this bill recognizes the critical work of the Corps and provides $6.1 billion for those activities.…
