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Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on a GOP amendment introduced by the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee defending the Confederate flag on federal property:

"Tonight, after nearly 20 hours of debate on the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act and approval of three amendments banning sale and display of the Confederate flag in national parks and cemeteries administered by the National Park Service, the Republican majority introduced an amendment reversing course.

"The Calvert amendment would shamefully challenge the emerging national consensus that government must not countenance such a symbol of hatred and intolerance.

"I urge all members of Congress to reject this disgraceful gambit."

The 2016 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill is an affront to women, families, and all hard-working Americans. It would walk back federal efforts to improve schools and help teachers; undermine public health; and place Americans' financial security at risk. Finally, the bill attacks women's health by eliminating Title X family planning, slashing Teen Pregnancy Prevention, and allowing employers to deny coverage of any health services to which they have a moral objection.

2015 enacted level: $156.8 billion

2016 Request: $167.7 billion

2016 Omnibus: $153.1 billion

*These figures do not include emergency funding for Ebola enacted in FY2015.

It has been six years since the full committee last considered the Labor-HHS-Education bill, and for that reason alone I would like to express my appreciation to Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and Chairman Rogers.

This is one of the committee's most important bills and has the potential to provide opportunity by investing in education and job training, vital health and safety net initiatives, and key worker protections. Unfortunately, the bill is an affront to women, families, and all hardworking Americans. It would backtrack on federal efforts to improve schools and help teachers, undermine public health, and place Americans' financial security at risk.

The grossly inadequate allocation is $3.7 billion below current levels, and $14.7 billion less than the President's request. The litany of dangerous cuts is too long for me to detail, but it would, in short:

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) made the below opening remarks at today's House of Representatives Appropriations Committee markup of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education bill. This marks the first time the full committee has considered the legislation in six years. The below remarks are as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Rogers, Chairman Aderholt, and Ranking Member Farr in putting this bill together and holding this markup.

Despite the President's proposal more than four months ago to end sequestration through more reasonable and realistic budgeting, Republicans have yet to engage on finding a workable solution. This is the eleventh bill to be considered in subcommittee, and like its predecessors, it has no chance of being signed into law because it would shortchange vital investments that help hardworking American families.

For instance, the FDA would receive $116 million less than what it needs, preventing it from fully combating dangerous illnesses or overseeing our nation's food supply.

The 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill would place the health and safety of the American people at risk by slashing critical funding for drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, climate change, and environmental enforcement. Ideological policy riders continue the assault on our environment by undermining the Administration's ability to keep our land, water, and air clean and protect threatened species.

Highlights of 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act

2016 bill: $30.170 billion

2016 budget request: $32.208 billion

2015 enacted: $30.416 billion

The 2016 Interior Appropriations bill would provide:

This is a difficult bill, and I'd like to recognize Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and the staff for their commitment. In addition, I thank Chairman Rogers for holding this markup.

Let me start with the good. The National Institutes of Health performs vital research and makes sure medical breakthroughs happen here, rather than abroad. I support doubling NIH funding in the long run, but am very pleased with the increase of $1.1 billion.

In addition, compared to previous proposals from Republicans on this subcommittee, increases for Head Start and IDEA State Grants are both welcomed and could make a real difference in the lives of children in need.

Of course, the bill couldn't possibly meet the allocation after investments in the programs I just named without gutting the rest of its programs.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

I want to begin by commending our Chairman for the sincere and collaborative manner in which he has carried out his duties while laboring under an inadequate allocation. Chairman Calvert chaired 14 budget hearings where we received testimony from nearly 150 witnesses. I greatly appreciated the Chairman's willingness to hear from so many agency and citizen voices.

Let me also express my appreciation to the subcommittee staff on the minority and majority sides for their hard work during another difficult budget year.