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Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Fiscal Year 2020 Energy and Water Development Funding Bill

May 15, 2019

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies today approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2020 bill. In total, the legislation invests $46.4 billion in Energy and Water Development programs, an increase of $1.8 billion from fiscal year 2019. The bill next heads to the full Committee for markup.

"This bill makes critical investments toward combating climate change, strengthening our nation's energy and water infrastructure, and responsibly funding our nation's nuclear deterrent, while providing the means to secure vulnerable nuclear material both at home and abroad," ​said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Chairwoman Marcy Kaptur. "This bill rejects the President's drastic and short-sighted proposed cuts – including a 12% decrease to the Department of Energy, a 31% decrease to the Army Corps of Engineers, and a 28% decrease to the Bureau of Reclamation – and instead increases investments to these important programs. Investments at these agencies keep our nation at the forefront of global energy innovation, enable American companies to ship goods efficiently, and provides water, electricity, and irrigation water to 31 million American and ten million acres of valuable farmland. These programs are the lifeblood for millions of Americans. I want to thank all our Subcommittee members for their engagement during the hearing process and during the process of drafting this legislation."

"We must invest robustly to bring American infrastructure into the 21st century," said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey. "As we focus on modernizing infrastructure, we must also recognize that the impacts of climate change are accelerating the need to update and replace significant infrastructure. Acting on climate change is urgent, and this bill invests in research and development of renewable and sustainable energy sources. Given that the President's budget proposed to slash this important program by 86%, this bill represents a serious commitment by Democrats to ensure a clean energy future. Additionally, the bill increases funds for defense nuclear non-proliferation by $145 million to help secure nuclear material. This bill would make our country safer and reestablish American leadership in a global clean energy economy."

A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill is here.

Issues:Energy