Interior and Environment
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Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Let me start off by saying that you have done a great job since assuming the chair from our colleague, Mike Simpson. I have enjoyed working with you and appreciate the cooperation exhibited by you and the subcommittee staff as we have worked to address some of the important issues facing not only our nation but our planet. You have carried out your duties as chairman in an open and collaborative manner and for that I am truly appreciative.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. And since this is our first hearing with you as chairman, let me publicly congratulate you on assuming this new role and say that I look forward to working with you on the many issues that this subcommittee faces. You have big shoes to fill following Chairman Simpson but I am confident that you are up to the task.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama's FY 2015 budget request:
"The FY2015 budget and appropriations process offers Congress its best opportunity in years to reject the politics of brinkmanship and crisis management, and instead fulfill our responsibility to invest in our future, create and protect jobs, and support services on which American families rely.
2013 enacted level: $29.8 billion
2014 Committee mark: $24.3 billion
2014 Omnibus: $30.1 billion
· $3.938 billion for wildland fire, which is $417 million more than the 2013 enacted level.
· $4.4 billion for the Indian Health Service, which is $78 million more than the 2013 enacted level.
· $2.5 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is $18 million more than the 2013 enacted level.