Kaptur statement at full committee markup of FY 2019 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

May 16, 2018
Press Release

Thank you Chairman Simpson and all Members of this great subcommittee.  We have worked together to produce a bill that addresses our nation’s priorities in energy, water, and nuclear capabilities for domestic needs as well as security.  I would especially like to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Lowey for their support.

Let me start by saying that we are now into our second full committee markup, and yet we have still not received a full suite of 302(b) allocations.  With the Bipartisan Budget Agreement passed earlier this year, we began our work knowing what our topline funding level should be.  But without knowing all of the 302(b)s, we are being asked to write and vote on bills without the full picture of the impact on bills we have yet to consider.  Supporting this bill does not imply that we wish to cut funding for the opioid epidemic, or to keep our air and water clean.  But I fear that is what we will face later in this process.  Mr. Chairman, I hope that we will have the full information on all of the 302(b) allocations very soon.  After all the promises about a return to regular order, this game of hide the ball, is anything but that.

Our bill contributes to assuring the critical availability of energy and water for domestic stability and national security, not just for today but for the tomorrows to come.

We have made enormous strides in increasing our energy independence—with no bill more important than this one in reaching that strategic goal for our Nation.  But it is not yet time to declare “mission accomplished.”  Today, the price of oil is on the rise again, standing 50% higher than it was one year ago, due at least in part, to unrest in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.  It is no secret that every time that fuel prices exceed $4.00 per gallon, our nation sinks into deep recession.  I fear we are headed there again, so we must not lose sight of the ultimate goal of energy independence.

Largely thanks to the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, the Chairman has been able to provide increased funding levels across much of our bill.

The significant increase in funding for the Army Corps will ensure continued forward progress across all project areas, including navigation and environmental restoration.  I’m grateful for the Chairman’s continued partnership to address the Asian carp threat to our freshwater Great Lakes ecosystem as well as for funding to keep our Great Lakes ports open to shippers, which drives economic investment.

Unfortunately, while the Chairman has been generous in the funding of most programs, the bill cuts over $400 million in funding from the 2018 levels for some of the highest priorities to those of us on this side of the aisle. These include Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, transformational sciences driven by ARPA-E, and Nuclear Nonproliferation, all within DOE.  These programs invest in new horizons to move our economy forward through innovation.

I continue to be troubled by the unsustainable spending in DOE’s weapons program.  As I have said repeatedly, these increases for weapons are not sustainable year over year.

Instead of working to rein in costs, only a month ago the Administration submitted a budget amendment to begin work on a new low-yield ballistic missile as proposed in the Nuclear Posture Review.  I remain unconvinced this new capability will actually improve our nuclear deterrent.  We owe it to the American people to have a full discussion and debate before wandering down a path to new varieties of nuclear weapons – including security, cost and schedule.

The bill again includes several unnecessary and controversial policy riders, including a new version related to the Waters of the United States, ag exemptions from the Clean Water Act, more meddling in California water issues, prohibiting implementation of a National Ocean Policy, and new language legislating an ongoing court case.  These riders make moving our bill in a bipartisan manner difficult and I strongly object to their inclusion.

In closing, I would like to thank our all of our Members, and our staff, who as always work in a collegial and inclusive manner.  I especially appreciate the excellent working relationship with the Chairman.  In particular, I would like to acknowledge Angie Giancarlo and Jaime Shimek, who are in their first full cycle as clerks.  They have done a fantastic job.  We thank you all.

115th Congress