Hearing of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science Bill and Report on the Suballocation of Budget Allocations, Statement on 302(b) Suballocations

Hearing

Congratulations, Chairman Wolf and Ranking Member Fattah. Thank you all for your thoughtful work.

Now, let's turn our attention to our next and final order of business for the day -- the 302(b) suballocations.

As you all know, we considered and passed interim 302(b) suballocations for the Legislative Branch and Military Construction bills last month. We typically consider all 12 suballocations at the same time, but we were unable to do so, due to the delay in updated Congressional Budget Office baseline information, which is needed to score appropriations bills.

We have received the necessary information from CBO, and have developed accurate suballocations for all 12 bills, which you see before you today.

These numbers fall in line with the budget agreement that President Obama signed into law in December -- totaling $1.014 trillion dollars. These 302(b)s adequately and fairly fund each program, agency, and department in the federal government.

Our 302(b) allocations reflect the current needs of the nation, and our desire to fund important areas while reducing those that are less essential. Specifically, these allocations contain a practical increase for our national defense to support the critical work of our military around the globe, which will help keep our nation secure both now and in the future.

Most other areas are held at or near current levels. This reflects the reality of an overall allocation from the Ryan/Murray budget agreement that is nearly the same as fiscal year 2014.

Taking into account the increase already provided in advance for the VA, and other technical adjustments, the overall allocation left the committee with fewer actual resources than the previous year.

Therefore, we have tried to fairly spread these reductions accordingly, and no subcommittee has been increased by more than 2% or reduced by more than 3%.

I believe that these are fair and reasonable allocations, given the overall framework provided to the Committee by the budget agreement.

In order to continue with our appropriations work, I ask that the Committee approve this report today.

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