Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gen tle lady for yielding to me.
Madam Chair, I just wanted to say a few words in support of this year's Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. I have been honored to serve on this subcommittee for the last 4 years. I am the only member, in fact, to have served on the subcommittee for the last two Congresses.
It may have the smallest budget of the 12 appropriations bills, but it is vital to the work we do here in Congress and our ability to serve our constituents. From paying our staffs, to maintaining a digital and printed record of our work, to getting cost estimates of our legislative proposals, the legislative branch is so important to the proper functioning of our system of government.
It is especially gratifying that this year's bill reverses some of the draconian cuts from the legislative branch which have occurred over the last few years. I said last year that including these cuts would have been like cutting off our nose to spite our face. After all, agencies under the bill's jurisdiction, like the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office, help Congress to identify potential savings and efficiencies throughout the government.
Or consider the Architect of the Capitol, which is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol. Two years ago, the House couldn't find the necessary funds to complete the restoration of one of the most vital symbols of our democracy, the Capitol dome. I am pleased this year that the legislation includes $21.2 million for the last phase of the Capitol dome restoration.
Other agencies in the bill receive much-needed investments, including the Library of Congress, the United States Capitol Police, and the Government Printing Office.
I would like to commend the outstanding bipartisan work of Chairman Cole and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz in crafting this year's bill. Chairman Cole has done a yeoman's job stepping in at the last moment following the retirement of our colleague Rodney Alexander and shepherding this measure for the full House Appropriations Committee this morning.
I am also greatly appreciative of Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, whose institutional knowledge of the agencies in this measure is really unmatched.
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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Both Chairman Cole and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz were greatly aided by their excellent staff: Liz Dawson, Chuck Turner, Jenny Panone, and Shalanda Young.
I look forward to supporting the bill and doing all that I can to ensure its swift passage by the full House of Representatives.
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