Legislative Branch

Thank you, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, and Chairman Rogers for your work on this bill. Today we consider the smallest of the appropriations bills, which funds the operations of our nation's legislative branch.

Without Senate items, the bill is $3.326 billion, the same as 2014. While I am pleased with the overall funding level, it was my hope that after years of cuts to member representational allowances, or MRAs, we might provide a modest increase this year.

Thank you, Chairman Cole and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, for your hard work on this Subcommittee. While this may be the smallest of the appropriations bills, your leadership serves as an example to others of how the partisan-divide can be bridged and compromise can be reached. I look forward to continuing my work with you and the rest of this Subcommittee.

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: $4.28 billion

2014 Committee mark: $3.23 billion (House bills do not include Senate funding)

2014 Omnibus: $4.26 billion

· $1.181 billion for the US House of Representatives, which is $42.3 million less than the 2013 enacted level and $19 million more than the post-sequester level.

· $338.5 million for the Capitol Police, which is equal to the 2013 enacted level.