Press Releases

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.

Good afternoon. Dr. Moniz, it is good to see you again and welcome to your first appearance before the Subcommittee.

Mr. Secretary, the early reviews on your tenure as Secretary have been good from most, if not all, quarters but I believe the hardest challenges lie before you.

I have long sited our reliance on foreign energy as a grave economic and national security concern—over the last decade, we have spent $2.3 trillion importing foreign oil, making rich some of the worst global players at the expense of our own citizens.

The State of Arizona, the Appropriations Committee, and all of Congress have benefitted from the hard work, dedication, and wisdom of Congressman Ed Pastor (D-AZ). As Ranking Democrat on the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, he has fought to invest in our nation's roads and bridges, transportation safety, and affordable housing. He has been a champion for comprehensive immigration reform and represented the working families of his district with dedicated and principled leadership. Ed will be sorely missed, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming our distinguished witnesses here today. The challenges you face promoting democracy, civil liberties and basic human rights in repressive and fragile countries are enormous and the results are not always clearly visible.

The seeds of change take time to sow, take root and grow, making it difficult for some of our colleagues to embrace these investments. For example, the fall of the Iron Curtain in the late 80's and early 90's was precipitated by 30 years of groundwork.

I always look forward to this hearing. These individuals always give us the best picture for what those on the front lines are dealing with.

We talk a lot about facilities, equipment, force structure and strategy, but it is the men and women like the ones sitting before us that really make our military what it is today.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would also like to welcome new Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen for his first hearing before the subcommittee. I thank you for your service to our nation, and for undertaking this endeavor at a very challenging time for the IRS.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today delivered the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act:

Congress’ misguided rush towards austerity has hurt our economy, slashing critical investments that create jobs and make us more competitive. Discretionary spending, which represents only one-third of the budget, has borne a disproportionate share of cuts.

2013 enacted level: $51.8 billion

2014 Committee mark: $44.1 billion

2014 Omnibus: $50.9 billion

· $9.65 billion for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Operations, which is roughly equal to the FY2013 enacted level and $246 million more than the post-sequester level.

· $600 million for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER), which is $100 million more than the 2013 enacted level.