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

Hearing

Chairman Simpson, Ranking Member Kaptur, and the entire subcommittee deserve our thanks
and congratulations on putting together a well-rounded, responsible Energy and Water
Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016.

This bill provides important funding for our nuclear security and infrastructure needs -- keeping
this nation safe, and keeping America's economy moving.

I'm pleased that the bill increases funding for nuclear weapons programs -- keeping our military
ready to respond to any and all threats from our enemies in an increasingly volatile global
environment.

I am also glad that this bill makes significant investments in infrastructure.

These investments will help prevent floods, improve public safety, and advance the flow of
commerce throughout the country.

And the bill prioritizes funding for an all-of-the-above energy strategy -- one that smartly utilizes
and improves the way we use the energy resources we have now, and that works to develop new
technologies that will make energy production in this country safer and more efficient.

This includes making investments in fossil energy research, which will help the country make
better use of our rich natural energy resources, and help keep down energy costs for American
families and businesses. For instance, the bill provides $605 million - $45 million more than the
President asked for -- to promote new fossil energy technologies and make them more efficient.
But investments are only part of the equation. This Administration continues to push an agenda
of job-killing regulations that could strangle America's energy industries, including coal -- our
most abundant natural energy resource.

This kind of regulatory overreach would devastate U.S. energy production, threaten energy
independence, and create a drag on our economy, and I'm glad this bill includes language to stop
this undue harm.

For example, the bill prohibits any changes to the federal jurisdiction under the "Waters of the
United States" proposal -- which could result in the Administration having control over nearly
everywhere water might possibly run.

The bill also prohibits any changes to the definition of "fill material," which would have the
effect of shutting down coal mines nationwide and eliminating good-paying jobs.

Again, I want to thank Chairman Simpson and his subcommittee for their diligent work putting
together this strong bill. What you have brought before us today will help ensure the safety,
security, and reliability of our nation's nuclear stockpile, help drive this nation towards energy
independence, and help improve the infrastructure that facilitates American commerce.

I urge my colleagues to support it today. Thank you.

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