Hearing of the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Granger, Markup on the FY 2021 Energy and Water Development Funding Bill

Hearing

Madam Chair, thank you for bringing forward the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill today.

I also want to thank the Ranking Member, Mr. Simpson, for his leadership on this subcommittee.

As a result of your work, this bill addresses the priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the American people.

In particular, I appreciate that the bill continues significant funding for our nation's water resources infrastructure, such as navigation, flood control, and water storage and delivery projects.

Almost every congressional district across the country benefits in some way from the important work of the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation.

Unfortunately, the bill does not sufficiently prioritize funding for other critical national priorities. I am also disappointed that the bill includes controversial policy riders and significant new emergency spending.

For example, funding for nuclear weapons activities -- although increased above last year -- is well below the budget request. We must ensure our ability to deter a nuclear attack remains reliable and effective.

The bill's policy riders include language stopping funds from being used for the border wall and prohibiting funds for a critical water storage project in California.

Just as in previous years, we can expect the Administration to oppose controversial policy riders, and we will have to address them as this bill moves forward so it can eventually be signed into law.

Finally, the bill includes $43.5 billion in new emergency spending. I cannot support this additional spending until there is serious discussion with Members on our side of the aisle.

In closing, I would like to recognize the Members of the subcommittee for their work on this bill.

I also would like to thank the staff for all of their efforts -- Angie Giancarlo on my staff as well as the Majority staff.

Last, I'd like to associate myself with the very honest and sincere remarks by Congressman Simpson.

I too believe we have failed to work together, when the nation needed that as much as anything we could have given them.

It saddens me, and I feel as it is a lose for all of us.

Thank you, Madam Chair, I yield back.

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