Hearing of the House Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee - FY 2016 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

Hearing

Thank you, Chairman Rogers.

I am proud to present to the Committee the fiscal year 2016 Energy and Water bill.

Before I review the recommendation, I would like to thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking
Member Lowey for their support of this bill and everything that they do to keep the
appropriations process on track.

I would also like to thank my Ranking Member, Ms. Kaptur. I appreciate her help in putting
together this recommendation, and it is a better bill because of her work on it.
The legislation before you totals $35.4 billion, which is $1.2 billion above last year's level and
$633 million below the request.

This is a strong bill -- a bill that prioritizes investment in our nation's infrastructure and national
defense.

The recommendation increases funding for the activities of the Army Corps of Engineers by
$142 million above last year, and $865 million above the request. The President's budget
proposed to cut the Corps by $750 million. To make up for this irresponsible request for the
Corps, the recommendation provides unallocated program lines of $880 million, with $332
million going to flood control projects and $486 million providing much needed support for our
ports and inland navigation system.

This recommendation makes use of all annual revenues from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund
for a total of $340 million.

Harbor Maintenance activities are funded at almost $1.2 billion, an increase of $263 million
above the request.

The nuclear weapons program run by the Department of Energy is funded at $8.7 billion, which
is $526 million more than last year. This increase will support full funding for stockpile life
extension programs and includes an additional $100 million above the request to address the
growing backlog of deferred maintenance and physical security projects. The recommendation
for Naval Reactors is $1.3 billion, an increase of $86 million, and includes full funding for the
OHIO Class replacement submarine.

Nonproliferation is funded at $1.9 billion, which is $291 million more than fiscal year 2015.
Environmental cleanup programs, at $5.9 billion, are funded at $39 million above fiscal year
2015 and $92 million above the request.

This bill balances the investments made in energy programs to ensure reliable and affordable
energy now and into the future. This bill includes $936 million for Nuclear Energy, which is $23
million more than last year's program level, and $605 million for Fossil Energy Research and
Development, an increase of $34 million above last year.

The bill makes strategic investments supporting the electric grid, providing $160 million for the
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, a $13 million increase above fiscal year
2015. This will enhance efforts to strengthen the grid's infrastructure, modernizing the grid and
making it more reliable and resilient.

The recommendation also includes funding for the Department of Energy and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission to move the Yucca Mountain license application forward.

Finally, the recommendation opposes regulatory overreach by prohibiting changes to the
definitions of "fill material" and "waters of the U.S." under the Clean Water Act.

This is a strong bill, in no small part due to the input of the Members of this Committee. It will
advance our national security interests and our economy. I urge everyone to support it.

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