Ranking Member Kaptur Delivers Opening Remarks at Appropriations Energy & Water Markup

Subcommittee advances final language to full House Appropriations Committee

WASHINGTON—The Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee voted today to advance the first of twelve annual spending bills for fiscal year 2016. Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur delivered opening remarks outlining priorities and assessing funding levels, which total $35.4 billion, in the final version.

Thank you Chairman Simpson and all the Members of our subcommittee, especially those who joined us this year: Ms. Herrera Beutler, Mr. Valadao, Mr. Honda, and Ms. Roybal-Allard. We warmly welcome Ms. Granger, the newest member of our subcommittee. We also thank our Ranking Member of the full committee Mrs. Lowey for joining us, and the Chairman of the full committee Mr. Rogers.

We are very proud that this is the first bill out of the chute, and I think as Energy and Water appropriators we’re very proud of this subcommittee and the work that we do.

This bill funds incredibly important programs that can unlock America’s full economic potential, including:

• Advancing energy technologies to restore an energy self-reliant and secure America by developing inexhaustible energy supplies achieving a cleaner energy future, growing America’s domestic capabilities and reducing the insidious political and economic effects of energy sector trade deficits. We keep a focus on energy conservation and programs like weatherization and advancing manufacturing in a way that helps us be much more competitive economically.

• We have a focus in this bill also on modernizing our energy grid. Nothing could be more important from an economic or security standpoint.

• We also have a responsibility to modernize our water infrastructure to keep our ports open for business, to mitigate floods, and to help our country adapt to the challenges of both water scarcity in our drought-stricken West, and water insecurity due to toxic runoff in fresh-water rich regions like the Great Lakes.

• Cleaning up our nuclear legacy to minimize the burden passed onto future generations, deterring the threats of nuclear proliferation, and responsibly maintaining our nuclear weapons programs are all very important responsibilities.

I was particularly proud of Secretary Moniz as a critical partner in the negotiations that are ongoing with the nation of Iran. We know this subcommittee and its interests on behalf of the country are central to the future.

To be sure, this bill could be stronger, programs could be more fully funded, and the bill also includes some unnecessary and controversial policy riders. But ultimately, Chairman Simpson, it has been a pleasure to work with you and your staff who worked well under difficult circumstances.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge Donna Shahbaz and thank her for her dutiful efforts on behalf of the country. This is her first markup as the Clerk of Energy and Water, working under tremendous time pressure and she displayed grace and dispatch the entire time. I also want to thank Taunja Berquam, our highly capable Democratic staff member, for her continued dedication and diligence and good humor throughout this entire process.

During and after the mark-up, Rep. Kaptur extended discussion to address the need for increases in funding for science and environmental cleanup as well as the lack of funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to initiate new projects. Such projects represent an important investment in infrastructure and contribute to the availability of good jobs in communities in Ohio and across the nation. The approved text also includes an important provision secured by Rep. Kaptur to prohibit open lake disposal of dredged materials without priorstate certification.

The bill now advances for consideration by the full House Appropriations Committee, which is expected to take up the legislation next week.

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