Press Releases

Lowey Announces Staff Changes on
Appropriations Committee

David Pomerantz to Retire After 34 Years of Service

Shalanda Young to Become Democratic Staff Director,
First Woman of Color to Hold Position

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced the retirement of David Pomerantz as Staff Director of the Committee minority, and the promotion of Shalanda Young to the position.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today slammed President Trump's intention to propose a 2018 budget that slashes services and investments critical to hardworking families, communities, and security:

"President Trump's budget request will reportedly propose devastating cuts to services and investments that are critical to working families, communities, and American leadership.

"Enacting appropriations law - as opposed to proposing nonbinding budget resolutions - will likely require Democratic votes, just as it did in the 114th Congress when the Republican majorities were larger in both chambers of Congress. Democrats will not help pass laws that shift more economic burdens onto hardworking American families.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Ranking Member on the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding reports of an internal DHS cost estimate of $21.6 billion to construct a 2,000 mile wall on the southern border:

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today issued the following statement on the expected Executive Order rescinding the Department of Labor "fiduciary rule," which House Republicans have also repeatedly attempted to undermine through the Appropriations process:

"Having run a campaign decrying a system "rigged" against ordinary Americans, it is unconscionable that President Trump will make it easier to swindle hardworking Americans out of their retirement savings.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced Ranking Members and membership of the 12 Appropriations subcommittees have been approved by the Democratic Steering & Policy Committee.

"The Appropriations Committee will play a critical role in the 115^th Congress," said Lowey. "I look forward to working with each of the Ranking Members and the full membership of the Committee to protect services and investments critical to the security and future of hard-working American families."

Agriculture Subcommittee

• Sanford Bishop, Ranking Member
• Rosa DeLauro
• Chellie Pingree
• Mark Pocan

Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Donald Trump's immigration executive orders:

"President Trump's most recent outrageous executive orders are not just reckless, they are dangerous. In his first week, the President has provided no adequate justification for his multi-billion dollar boondoggle along the US-Mexico border. He will strip federal funding from New York and other ‘sanctuary cities' that lawfully refuse to bow to his draconian demands. These steps are an affront to our nation's core values and put American lives at risk.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, and Democratic members of the Subcommittee wrote to President Donald Trump on Thursday demanding more information about his administration's freeze on Environmental Protection Agency grants.

"We are deeply distressed that your transition team has ordered the EPA to freeze grants and contracts and that it has prohibited EPA staff from communicating with elected officials and state and local grant recipients," the lawmakers wrote. "To halt funding for the vital work of these public and private institutions is unprecedented and unacceptable."

The letter also raises serious concerns about the Trump administration's EPA communication blackout and urges Trump to reverse it immediately.

Appropriations Democrats Call on Speaker Ryan to
Address Trump Administration Conflicts of Interest

House Must Not Turn Blind Eye to Potential Conflicts