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Madame Chairwoman, I join you in welcoming our witnesses.
This is an important hearing and I believe we all owe the thousands of U.S. personnel a debt of gratitude for combating the deadliest Ebola outbreak the world has ever seen. Last summer it was a crisis spiraling out of control, taking lives indiscriminately, and seemingly dismantling governments and economies in the process. The fact that a mere six months later we have not only prevented an explosion of infections around the world, but bent the curve downward and are in a position to reflect on what we have learned is a testament to our expertise and the fundamental generosity of the American people.
Assistant Secretary Darcy and General Bostick, we appreciate you appearing before the Subcommittee this afternoon.
I look forward to our hearing today on an issue of acute interest to me: the stewardship of our nation's precious water resources.
Over the last few years, the Western part of our country has been ravaged by drought. Meanwhile, the freshwater-rich region I represent has fallen victim to troubling mismanagement.
The Corps of Engineers has an important role to play in building a water secure future for our country and I am eager to hear about progress in adopting innovative approaches to make that future a reality.
The Commodity Future Trading Commission is the quiet hero of America's fiscal stability. Since 1974, the CFTC has regulated the US agricultural commodity and other futures and options markets. For 36 years the CFTC executed its responsibilities while protecting investors from fraud, on a tiny budget. But with 2010 passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the CFTC's jurisdiction exploded nearly seven-fold from $37 trillion to $400 trillion.
Make no mistake about it. That increased jurisdiction was absolutely essential. The 2008 economic collapse was proof positive that our financial regulatory oversight failed Americans.
This morning, the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee convened a hearing on the President's budget request for Indian Health Service for FY2016. The budget would spend $6.3 billion on the Indian Health Service. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) attended, in her first hearing as the ranking Democratic member, and released the following statement.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced the recommendations Appropriations Committee Democrats have sent to the Democratic Steering & Policy Committee regarding Ranking Members and full membership of each of the twelve Appropriations subcommittees in the 114th Congress.
"The individuals recommended to serve as a Ranking Member of an Appropriations subcommittee reflect the talent and diversity of the Democratic caucus," said Lowey, "and each has the experience, knowledge, and passion necessary to succeed in his or her role. In the 114th Congress, Appropriations Democrats will work to support services and investments critical to American families, defeat divisive and ideological policy riders, and prevent another irresponsible government shutdown.
FY 2015 Budget Authority: $39.67 billion
FY 2015 Budget Request: $38.2 billion
FY2014 Enacted level: $39.27 billion
Highlights and Key Points:
2014 Omnibus: $50.9 billion
2015 Request: $59.9 billion
2015 Omnibus: $53.8 billion
Highlights and key points: