FY16 Energy & Water Development Full Committee Markup Bill Summary

Press Release

Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Full Committee ordered reported fiscal year 2016 Energy and Water Development funding legislation that totals $35.4 billion in discretionary budget authority, which is $1.2 billion more than fiscal year 2015 and $666 million less than the President's request.

Of the $1.2 billion increase, only $8 million is available for non-defense activities, demonstrating the fundamental imbalance in the current approach to funding the nation's infrastructure, scientific research, and technology development priorities.

The Subcommittee's allocation conforms to the post-sequester caps under the Budget Control Act. Not one Senate Democrat voted for these spartan spending levels because they do not provide adequate resources to protect America, build infrastructure, create opportunity, and spur economic growth. We need a new budget deal, in the spirit of Murray-Ryan, that stops hollowing out investments in America's future.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement:

"I support this bill insofar as it works within the current budget caps. However, it reveals the serious flaws of sequestration and budgeting under the Budget Control Act and underscores once again the need to balance our defense and non-defense priorities. This bill provides robust funding for nuclear weapons modernization and environmental cleanup, vital programs that deserve to be funded. At the same time, water infrastructure, drought relief, basic scientific research and energy technology development programs are left behind. Our ability to provide a strong national defense is based on a strong economy and a strong society, and those are achieved by the non-defense programs in this bill. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact sensible budget targets across government so that America can remain strong and competitive in the 21st century."

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:

"I appreciate the hard work of Senators Alexander and Feinstein, as well as their staffs. There are some good things in this bill, such as funding for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to keep commerce flowing through our ports. Ports are particularly important in my home state of Maryland, where the Port of Baltimore supports nearly 15,000 jobs. However, because of the extreme post-sequester caps, this bill doesn't provide adequate resources to meet the needs of the American people for security, jobs and opportunity. It underfunds efforts to protect our electric grid from severe weather and cyber threats; renewable energy efforts that could help end our dependency on foreign oil and create jobs in growing markets; and the Army Corps of Engineers, which spurs economic growth. Every one dollar spent on Army Corps of Engineer projects nets $16 in economic benefits. I voted to report this bill subject to amendment to move the process along, but I will not vote for the motion to proceed to this bill on the Senate floor, until we have a deal to raise the budget caps. Congress needs to work together on a sequel to the Murray-Ryan budget deal sooner rather than later, so we can get to work on realistic bills that protect America and provide opportunity for all Americans."

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