Hearing of the House Appropriations Committee - -- FY 2016 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill; FY 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill; and FY 2016 Report on the Suballocation of Budget Allocations
Hearing
Good morning, and welcome to the first Full Committee markup of the 2016 Appropriations
season. Also to note, this year marks the 150th year of the Appropriations Committee process.
Thank you all for being here today on time and ready to get to work.
Before we begin, it is with a heavy heart that I recognize one that is no longer with us -- our
beloved colleague, Alan Nunnelee. As many of you know, Alan passed away last February after
a battle with cancer. We will sorely miss our friend's demeanor and great wit, but most of all, his
passion for this Committee and for the people of his district.
I also want to welcome the newest member to the Committee -- Congressman Steve Palazzo from
Mississippi. He joined our ranks in March, and we're glad to have him.
Next, I want to thank you all for your work over the past few months. Since February, we have
held nearly 100 budget and oversight hearings -- sometimes holding up to 30 hearings in a single
week.
This is far and away the most of any committee -- and it is a testament to our commitment to
strong oversight and getting the information that we need to draft quality bills like the two we
have before us today.
I also want to thank the Full Committee Ranking Member Mrs. Lowey for her ongoing
partnership.
I believe I can speak for us both when I say that we remain committed to upholding this
Committee's tradition of collegiality, to working under regular order, and to completing our
appropriations work on time.
We are starting early -- we are on pace with last year, which was the earliest start of the
Appropriations process since at least 1974. With our Committee's strong work ethic, and ample
floor time, I am hopeful that this will be a fruitful appropriations year.
First, we will consider the Energy and Water Appropriations bill; next, the Military Construction
and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill; and lastly, the FY16 302(b)s for the 12 Appropriations
bills.
Now, before we proceed to the work of the day, I would like to turn to Mrs. Lowey for any
general opening remarks that she might like to make.
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