Lowey statement at full committee markup of 2016 Energy & Water Appropriations bill

April 22, 2015
Press Release

Thank you, Chairman Simpson, Ranking Member Kaptur, and Chairman Rogers.

Later today I intend to offer an amendment to the Chairman’s subcommittee allocations for the twelve appropriations bills we will consider this year. It is no secret that my Democratic colleagues and I opposed the House Majority’s Budget Resolution and the discretionary allocation. That number is unrealistic to fund priorities that will grow our economy and give hardworking Americans opportunity to succeed.

Chairman Simpson, I appreciate your prioritization of the budget for the Army Corps of Engineers, an acknowledgment of how critical Federal investment is to our nation’s aging infrastructure. The investments have a direct and tangible effect on our nation’s economy. Our ability to move more goods in and out of American ports benefits the entire country, not just the communities where the ports are physically located. Independent annual reports detail the billions needed to address backlogs from coast to coast – and almost everywhere in between. In their most recent report card, the American Society for Civil Engineers gave the U.S. a D+ and estimated that $3.6 trillion in investments are needed by 2020.

The bill also makes key investments in science and research programs at our national laboratories and universities. These modest, yet vitally important programs are the key to ensuring America’s competitiveness for generations to come. Without Federal support many technologies and innovations may never have happened, and we must do whatever we can to maintain this important commitment. While we are experiencing a welcomed dip in oil prices, that can change quickly. Scientific advances take time. We cannot cut back or delay this important research.

Unfortunately, the inclusion of controversial riders is deeply disappointing. An annual Appropriations bill is not the place to “amend,” or in any other substantive way, make changes to the Federal Clean Water Act or gun laws. I should not have to remind my Majority colleagues that similar provisions have imperiled passage of this bill in the past. This Administration has already been on record with veto threats over nearly identical language. I’m truly amazed you would willfully go down this path again. When we have enough problems working out funding levels, such as your insufficient investments in renewable energy, I am disturbed that you would unnecessarily seek to roll back ocean policy and other environmental protections.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

114th Congress