Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

Apr 22, 2015
Press Release

The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2016 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which will now head to the House floor for consideration. The legislation provides annual funding for national defense nuclear weapons activities, the Army Corps of Engineers, various programs under the Department of Energy (DOE), and other related agencies. 

The bill totals $35.4 billion – $1.2 billion above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $633 million below the President’s request. 

“This bill 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,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said. “It is a well-rounded, responsible bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it as it moves through the process.”

Energy and Water Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson also commented on the importance of the bill:

“This is a responsible bill that prioritizes national security needs and improving our nation's infrastructure within tight budget caps,” Chairman Simpson said.  “It makes critical investments in the maintenance and safety of our nuclear weapons stockpile, while also funding important infrastructure projects and research that will increase U.S. economic competitiveness and growth."

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full committee today:

Rep. Simpson – The manager’s amendment makes technical and non-controversial changes to the report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Simpson – The amendment decreases funds for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and provides $27.5 million for the Smart Grid Research and Development, Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems, and Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components programs. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Valadao – The amendment adds language to the bill and report to require specific deadlines on certain Bureau of Reclamation water studies. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Herrera Beutler – The amendment changes language in the report to improve the specificity of funding for certain nuclear sites. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

The bill was approved by the Committee on a voice vote.

For the text of the draft bill, please visit:

/uploadedfiles/bills-114hr-sc-ap-fy2016-energywater-subcommitteedraft.pdf

For the draft bill report, please visit:

/uploadedfiles/hrpt-114-hr-fy2016-energywater.pdf

For a summary, please visit: /news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394139

 

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114th Congress