[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H3047-H3057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT,
2017
General Leave
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5055 and that I may include
tabular material on the same.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois). Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman from Idaho?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 743 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 5055.
The Chair appoints the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) to
preside over the Committee of the Whole.
{time} 1720
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 5055) making appropriations for energy and water development and
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for
other purposes, with Ms. Ros-Lehtinen in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the
first time.
The gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) and the gentlewoman from Ohio
(Ms. Kaptur) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Idaho.
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
It is my distinct honor to bring this fiscal year 2017 Energy and
Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act before you
today.
Before I go into the details, I would like to recognize the hard work
of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey on this bill and in the
appropriations process in our trying to get back to regular order.
I would also like to thank my ranking member, Ms. Kaptur. I
appreciate her help and her hard work on this bill. This bill is a
better bill because of her input on this legislation.
The bill provides $37.4 billion for the activities of the Department
of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and
other agencies under our jurisdiction. This is $259 million more than
last year's funding level and is $168 million above the budget request.
This is a responsible bill that recognizes the importance of
investing in this Nation's infrastructure and national defense. As we
do each year, we work hard to incorporate priorities and perspectives
from both sides of the aisle.
The administration's proposal to cut the programs of the Army Corps
of Engineers by $1.4 billion would have led to economic disruptions at
our ports and waterways silted in and would have left our communities
and businesses vulnerable to flooding. Instead, this bill recognizes
the critical work of the Corps and provides $6.1 billion for those
activities. This includes $1.8 billion for flood and coastal storm
damage reduction projects. These projects prevented
[[Page H3048]]
damages of $14.8 billion in 2014 alone. Harbor maintenance activities
are funded at $1.26 billion, the same as last year, and $122 million
more than the fiscal year 2017 target. The bill makes use of all
estimated annual revenues from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.
The Department of Energy's nuclear weapons program is funded at $9.3
billion, which is $438 million more than last year. This increase will
support full funding for the stockpile life extension programs. It also
includes an additional $106 million above the request to address the
growing backlog of deferred maintenance and $30 million above the
request to upgrade the security infrastructure where nuclear weapons
material is stored. The recommendation for naval reactors is $1.4
billion, an increase of $45 million, and includes full funding for the
Ohio-class replacement submarine.
A national energy policy can only be successful if it maintains
stability while investing in a secure, independent, and prosperous
energy future. This bill makes balanced investments in a true all-of-
the-above energy strategy. This bill also takes a strong stand against
the regulatory overreach and extreme application of laws that have been
the hallmark of this administration.
The bill opposes the administration's actions with regard to the
Clean Water Act and includes three provisions that prohibit changes to
the definition of ``fill material,'' the definition of ``waters of the
United States,'' and the permit requirement for certain agricultural
activities.
The bill also includes several provisions to ensure that the Bureau
of Reclamation maximizes water deliveries in California to help
alleviate the drought while sustaining senior water rights and
maintaining environmental protections.
This is a strong bill that will advance our national security
interests and our economy, and I urge everyone to support it.
[[Page H3049]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH250516.001
[[Page H3050]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH250516.002
[[Page H3051]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH250516.003
[[Page H3052]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH250516.004
[[Page H3053]]
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to thank Chairman Simpson for his bipartisan approach in
preparing this bill. I also thank Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking
Member Nita Lowey for their efforts throughout.
To our dedicated staff--Donna Shahbaz and Taunja Berquam, the
Republican and Democratic clerks, as well as the rest of the committee
staff: Matt Anderson, Angie Giancarlo, Loraine Heckenberg, and Perry
Yates--their countless long hours, late nights, weekends, and
thoughtful insight are so critical to helping America prepare this
legislation.
This bill funds transformative programs that unlock America's full
economic potential, critical water resource projects, navigation and
port operability, and breakthrough science advancements that are
necessary for America's strategic and competitive posture. This bill
undergirds our national defense through superior weapons, naval reactor
research, and nonproliferation activities--all priorities that unite
rather than divide us.
Chairman Simpson worked hard to incorporate the interests of Members
from both parties. As a result, the bill's funding reflects priorities
from both sides of the aisle. The chairman's efforts resulted in a bill
which, with respect to funding levels, is reasonable; although, the
trade-offs are not ideal.
The bill provides an increase of $259 million over the 2016 levels.
It allows for stronger investments in the Army Corps of Engineers for
critical projects in the Everglades and Great Lakes as well as
additional funding to address flooding in areas like Houston. Notably,
for the people of northern Ohio, the bill meets the need to comply with
State law prior to the open lake disposal of dredged materials. The
bill also provides robust funding for many areas at the Department of
Energy.
It is sad, however, that the majority would jeopardize this good
start by adding in ill-suited ideological or non-germane riders on the
Clean Water Act, guns on Army Corps' lands, National Ocean Policy, and
the California drought. I should not have to remind our majority
colleagues that similar provisions imperiled the passage of this bill
in the past. In fiscal year 2016, nearly all of the Democratic Members
of the House voted against this bill with far fewer poison pill riders.
The administration is on record with veto threats over nearly identical
language. As such, I cannot support this bill in its current form.
Every year, this important bill sets the path for America's energy
future, and I am happy to note that, more than ever before, America's
course is set toward the true north of energy independence. In 2015,
America produced 91 percent of the total energy consumed. This
represents the 10th consecutive year of declining net energy imports.
This translates into freedom.
Significant strides toward America's energy security should be
applauded, but we must not lose our momentum by resting on our laurels.
To finally free ourselves from our energy dependence, as well as to
drastically cut dangerous carbon emissions, we must strongly support
the Department of Energy's efforts to embrace the future.
I am disappointed by the $248 million cut, therefore, to the Office
of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which is leading the charge
into the new energy economy against stiff global competition from
Europe and Asia. The solar energy account, in particular, yields
serious benefits, with the solar industry projected to add 9.5
gigawatts of new energy this year--more than any other source. I am
proud that my own district is active in this energy revolution, with
First Solar, founded in Toledo, Ohio, the Nation's current leading
solar company.
Wind energy is also expanding in northern Ohio, where the Great Lakes
have the capacity to become the Saudi Arabia of wind, especially Lake
Erie. Cleveland is poised to install the first national offshore wind
turbines in a freshwater environment, and that is appropriate, given it
was Cleveland where the first electric wind turbine was invented a
century ago.
I would like to reiterate my concerns over the controversial riders
that threaten not only the ultimate enactment of this bill but also our
most precious resource--water. These provisions' inclusion does a
disservice in our work, particularly given the serious water challenges
many parts of our country face.
While I have concerns with the measure before us, I would like to
express my deep appreciation for the chairman's hard work with us on so
many issues. The gentleman from Idaho has ensured that the Energy and
Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee continues its
tradition of bipartisanship, and he has been a gentleman throughout, as
always.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1730
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of the full
committee that does a great job with this appropriations process.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I rise today to support this
legislation that invests $37.4 billion in bipartisan priorities: our
national security, critical infrastructure, and American energy
independence. In total, this is a $259 million increase above current
levels for these programs. This increase is directed almost entirely to
our nuclear national security. With ever-changing threats that span the
globe, it is imperative that our Nation stays at the very pinnacle of
preparedness. This funding will help ensure that our stockpile is
modern, secure, and ready to face any nuclear threat that may arise.
Another priority in the bill is the infrastructure that helps our
economy prosper. This includes robust funding for the Army Corps of
Engineers, a total of $6.1 billion, which is $100 million above last
year's levels, and $1.5 billion above the President's request. This
funding will go to activities that have a direct impact on public
safety, that improve commerce and the movement of American products,
and that support economic growth and job creation.
Lastly, Madam Chair, this bill advances an all-of-the-above energy
strategy that will help the Nation move ever closer to our goal of
energy independence. By investing in fossil fuels, nuclear, and other
energy sources, we can help keep consumer energy prices affordable and
make greater use of our domestic resources. This includes congressional
efforts to support the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository for future
use.
In order to make these targeted investments, the bill cuts back in
other lower priority areas. Renewable energy programs, which have
received significant investments in recent years, were cut by $248
million from current levels.
The bill also prohibits tax dollars from being used for a harmful
regulatory agenda that hampers our economy. This includes prohibiting
funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to make any changes to Federal
jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, protecting American farmers and
ranchers and other job creators. The bill also protects coal and other
mining operations from onerous efforts to change the definition of
``fill material'' and ``discharge of fill material.''
In sum, this bill is an investment in the growth of our American
economy, supporting functioning and safe water resources and continued
strides toward energy independence.
I thank and congratulate Subcommittee Chairman Simpson, Ranking
Member Kaptur, and the other members of the subcommittee for their hard
work on bringing this bill forward. I feel completely safe and
comfortable in the work when Chairman Simpson is doing the bossing.
I also want to acknowledge the dedicated staff that helped bring this
bill before the House today.
I urge my colleagues to help promote a more secure and more
prosperous future for our Nation and vote ``aye'' on the bill.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, before I begin, I would like to thank
Chairman Simpson, Ranking Member Kaptur, and Chairman Rogers for their
work on the bill.
The energy and water bill is the second bill we will consider on the
floor this year. Over and over again, the majority has promised a
return to regular
[[Page H3054]]
order. Well, without a budget resolution and a full slate of 302(b)
suballocations, this promise has clearly not been kept.
The fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development bill would allocate
$37.4 billion in discretionary funding, $260 million above the fiscal
year 2016 level and $168 million above the administration's request.
While this allocation is an improvement, the majority's continued
dysfunction jeopardizes Congress' ability to meet the significant
challenges we face, including many in the bill before us.
For instance, the bill does not adequately invest in infrastructure
development. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates the
United States must invest $3.6 trillion in our infrastructure to ensure
public health and safety, and yet the Army Corps of Engineers is funded
at $6.089 billion, which is billions of dollars short of what we need
to meet our infrastructure needs.
Additionally, this bill does not adequately fund programs to combat
climate change. To truly tackle the challenges posed by climate change,
the Federal Government must prioritize investments in research. Yet the
energy efficiency and renewable energy account would be reduced to
$1.825 billion, a cut of $248 million, and $1.07 billion below the
President's request. The Republican majority will continue to bury
their heads in the sand and dismiss the science and consequences of
climate change instead of taking action to save our planet.
However, the most concerning aspect of this bill is the inclusion of
misguided and dangerous policy riders. An annual appropriations bill is
not the place to amend or significantly change the Clean Water Act or
restrict gun laws. These controversial riders, year after year, imperil
the appropriations process.
Yet this year's energy and water bill would impede an effective and
timely response to the continuing drought in California, permanently
prohibit the Corps from changing the definition of ``fill material,''
which is an interest of mountaintop mining companies, permanently
prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers from clarifying the definition of
navigable waters, expand the area in which guns can be carried on Corps
of Engineers lands, and prevent implementation of the national ocean
policy. Neither Democrats in Congress nor President Obama will agree to
poison pill riders that harm our environment or public health.
Unfortunately, this bill fails to address our Nation's infrastructure
needs, invest in job creation, and take appropriate action to combat
climate change.
Given inadequate funding levels and the presence of harmful riders, I
urge my colleagues to oppose the bill.
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).
Mr. LANCE. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of this energy
and water appropriations measure. The measure finally provides the
critical funding to complete the Rahway River basin flood risk
management feasibility study in New Jersey that will create a lasting
solution to protect the communities of Cranford, Kenilworth, Maplewood,
Millburn, Rahway, Springfield, Union, and the surrounding areas from
severe flooding.
For years, these municipalities have pursued this project on its
great merits, and I am proud to have been the champion of these
municipalities on the Federal level. This is a critical role for
Federal representatives effectively helping municipal, county, and
State officials navigate the Federal Government and ensure efficient
services to the areas they represent. These municipalities have
experienced severe flooding from the Rahway River, and they deserve the
completion of the study and the implementation of a plan that will
protect life and property.
I thank the Mayors' Council and local leaders for continuing to
advocate on behalf of their communities. I deeply thank Chairman
Simpson and the Appropriations Committee for their thoughtful
consideration of the study and their leadership during this process.
I urge a ``yes'' vote on the measure.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Honda), a very hardworking member of our subcommittee.
Mr. HONDA. Madam Chairwoman, I thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking
Member Kaptur for their hard work on this bill. It is an honor to serve
with them on the subcommittee.
This bill contains many positive things that I support, like funding
for the Army Corps of Engineers' construction account and programs that
provide the Corps with critical oceans and weather data.
It also includes strong funding for energy storage technologies as
well as provisions that support increasing access to solar and
renewable energy and promote increasing energy efficiency through smart
electronics.
However, there are many cuts that are problematic, particularly those
to the energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. We have an
opportunity now to lead the world in innovating the next generation of
energy technologies, but we are hamstringing our ability to be
competitive by underfunding critical energy programs
Furthermore, I oppose the prohibition on the Department of Energy and
Army Corps participating in marine and coastal planning efforts that
are components of the National Ocean Policy. This provision is
misguided and reduces our ability to protect our oceans, Great Lakes,
and waterways that support our Nation's blue economy.
Coordinated ocean planning that encourages collaboration between
stakeholders and Federal agencies will help improve the management of
our marine resources, and it is unwise to stop those conversations from
happening.
Finally, I would also oppose the rider which would prohibit the Army
Corps from enforcing the ban on firearms at water resources development
projects. This provision unnecessarily creates an unsafe environment at
these sites. Corps rangers are not authorized to carry firearms, and
this provision also strips away the discretion that the Secretary of
the Army currently has to enforce or revise the policy on a case-by-
case basis.
Ultimately, appropriations bills are an exercise in setting spending
priorities, and I disagree with many of the prioritizations that this
bill makes. I hope we can work together as this bill moves forward to
develop a bill that will invest in clean energy.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I just want to inquire how much time remains
on this side before we move forward.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio has 19 minutes remaining.
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. McCarthy), the distinguished majority leader.
Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for the tireless
work that he has done on these appropriations.
I want to take a moment to thank another Representative,
Representative David Valadao. It is rare to find a person so tirelessly
devoted to his constituents. Every time the House passes legislation to
address the drought crisis in California, David Valadao is at the
center of it.
Like Congressman Valadao, I also represent the people of the Central
Valley of California. For too long, our constituents have been
suffering, so I am going to put this as simply as possible. We need
water.
California Republicans have tried for years--three Congresses now--to
get a water bill signed into law to help the people of California. As
the drought worsened and its reach grew, we tried last year to get
legislation through the Senate that would help all the States in the
West facing drought conditions. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats opposed
the legislation and blocked it.
So we tried again. We added in provisions from my Republican
colleagues and provisions supported by our California Senators, ideas
both sides could support. We worked to make this bill as bipartisan as
possible and focused on good policy. Again, our efforts were blocked.
But my constituents can't and won't take no for an answer. Water is
not a luxury. It is a necessity, and we need it now more than ever. And
it is very clear how we can get more water.
Now, earlier this year, bureaucrats allowed water from storms to
flush out into the ocean instead of capturing it for our communities.
Regulations and bad laws are keeping water from the
[[Page H3055]]
people who need it. We need more pumping, and we need more storage
capturing more runoff.
{time} 1745
Too many times our Senate Democratic colleagues have ignored or
blocked action to help the people of California. So today, the Senate
can no longer ignore it. They need to come to the table and negotiate
with us in conference.
After all, this should not be controversial. We were elected to serve
our constituents, and our constituents need water.
My colleagues and I have come back again and again to find an
agreement because, as El Nino passes and the drought continues, our
homes, our farms, and our people won't see relief until something is
done. Now is the moment.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Foster), who is a very hardworking member of the
Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology.
Mr. FOSTER. Madam Chair, this appropriations bill would underfund the
Office of Science by $272 million below the President's request for the
next fiscal year. Investments in the DOE Office of Science have long
supported American innovation and discovery science.
It is unwise and, in fact, impossible to ignore the value of our
national labs. They have helped us answer fundamental questions about
how our universe works, supported breakthroughs in medicine and
developments in industry that drive our economy. The Office of Science
is not only an important investment in our future, it is a valuable
investment in our economy.
Our national labs and the major user facilities housed at those labs
are some of the greatest tools ever created for researchers and
industry. The direct economic benefit of Argonne and Fermilab in
Illinois alone is estimated to be more than $1.3 billion annually. The
indirect benefits of the technologies that they deliver is larger.
Those who seek to underfund and eliminate Federal programs often say
that the private sector can do it better, but when it comes to
fundamental scientific research, that is simply not the case.
The Office of Science is responsible for building and maintaining
research facilities which many private companies rely on but are too
big for any single business or university to develop. These user
facilities, such as the advanced photon source at Argonne National
Laboratory, are a critical research tool to academics and industry
alike. For example, AbbVie, recently won FDA approval for a new
leukemia drug that was developed because of the groundbreaking
crystallography research done at Argonne's APS.
As other world powers are growing and challenging our position as a
global leader in science and innovation, we cannot afford to let the
number of American scientists and researchers or the quality of their
research facilities diminish.
Madam Chair, we must continue to invest in American innovation and
fully fund the research and development conducted through the DOE
Office of Science.
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Costa).
Mr. COSTA. Madam Chair, I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Simpson,
for yielding me this time.
This legislation that is before us gives Congress a new opportunity
to give California an ability in the water provisions that are
contained within this law that will help relieve the devastating
drought that has been impacting Californians both in the short term and
in the long term.
In the absence of getting a comprehensive water bill passed into
law--which I have not given up hope for, and my colleagues on both
sides are still working on a bipartisan basis with Senator Feinstein--I
hope my colleagues, in the meantime, will join me in supporting the
provisions in this bill that Congressman Valadao has been able to
provide that will, in fact, contain relief to the people of California
whom we represent and who have been most impacted by this drought.
Between December of last year and May of this year, hundreds of
thousands of acre-feet went out to the bay, to the ocean, that could
have been provided for farms and farm communities in the valley, that
would have helped farmworkers and farmers. Unfortunately, that water
was lost.
The Federal Government cannot allow this to happen again. Congress
must pass this bill so that next year, if we do have the water during
the rain and snowy seasons between November and April of next year, we
will be able to capture that water desperately needed instead of
allowing it to flow out to the ocean.
Even under the flawed biological opinions, these amendments make
sense. I commend my colleagues for inserting them here.
I want to thank the chairman for yielding me this time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I rise for a couple reasons. One is to wish
my noble brother well back home. The other is to yield to the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster) to enter into a colloquy.
Ms. KUSTER. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking Member Kaptur.
I rise today to speak about the importance of the funding of the
Office of Public Participation within the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, known fondly to us as the FERC, an office that has never
been active despite prior authorization.
With the expansion of natural gas infrastructure in the Northeast and
across the country, it makes sense that we finally fund the Office of
Public Participation to better incorporate the voices of average
citizens in FERC proceedings and provide robust outreach efforts to
communities and individuals that are impacted by energy projects.
Considering the broad authority that the FERC has over domestic
energy markets and its control over the approval of energy
infrastructure projects, average citizens simply do not have a
sufficient public interest presence on the national level. With 27
States offering an existing consumer advocacy office, it is imperative
that a similar national office be established within the FERC.
Constituents in my home State of New Hampshire are all too familiar
with feeling shut out of the FERC process. The recently withdrawn
Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline would have impacted 18
small towns across my district and into the neighboring district.
Due in large part to the organizing efforts of citizens within these
small towns, the NED pipeline's application within FERC was withdrawn
this week, but this reality provides only momentary comfort because we
all know that the FERC is in serious need of repair.
I understand that my Republican colleagues have interest in working
to bring the Office of Public Participation to fruition and in making
additional structural changes to the FERC. I look forward to working
closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this
effort forward.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I would commit to working with the very able
gentlewoman from New Hampshire to see what progress we could make on
this very important issue.
Mr. SIMPSON. Will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. KAPTUR. I yield to the gentleman from Idaho.
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I look forward to working with the
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member, and our
colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce to see if we can
find an appropriate path forward on this issue.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gibson).
Mr. GIBSON. Madam Chair, let me express my gratitude to the chairman
and the ranking member. I am here today to support the bill and to
really urge my colleagues to continue to work together so that we can
make progress on clean and renewable energy and energy efficiencies. I
offer three points as to why.
First of all, it is important to us to be an independent nation.
After four combat tours in Iraq, I am very eager to see us become
energy independent, and certainly that requires an all-of-the-above
energy strategy, including the renewable energy sources: solar power,
wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass. All of these in upstate New York
[[Page H3056]]
are making a significant advance, and I want to see us continue to
facilitate this.
We are a country that can do hard things. We have shown that time and
again. We put a man on the Moon. We stood up to the Communist
challenge. We did so in part because of research, development, and
prototyping. The investments we made were so critical to that, and we
not only won the cold war, but we also got the supercomputer, we got
the Internet, and we ushered in the information age.
I think if we make similar investments--and we will have an amendment
here shortly on ARPA-E. I appreciate what the chairman has done to
support the program. I think this is very important. It would also
offer jobs in my district and all throughout New York. This has been
helpful to jobs.
Finally, the environment, how important it is. We want to be good
stewards of our resources. To me, a conservative, you are certainly
protecting all resources, including natural resources. To me, if
conservation isn't conservative, well, then, words have no meaning at
all.
So renewable energy sources and also the criticality of energy
efficiencies, a kilowatt-hour saved is a kilowatt-hour produced. I know
we have made progress. I appreciate the work of the committee. I urge
us to continue that and double our efforts going forward.
Finally, I will say that I appreciate what Ms. Kuster mentioned just
moments ago. This is a bill I look forward to working on with her. I
think it is a step in the right direction.
Thank you for your great work, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, did the gentleman yield back his time?
Mr. HONDA. Yes, I yielded back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Let me just say that this is an important bill. It is an important
bill for our economy, and it is an important bill for our defense.
I did want to say that I appreciate the staff and the hard work that
they have put into this legislation, trying to address the requests of
many Members. We have had something like--I can't remember the
numbers--2300 different requests from Members for this piece of
legislation, and we were able to address, in at least one form or
another, about 95 percent of those requests. The staff works very hard
to make this a bill that all Members can support.
It has been a pleasure working with the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms.
Kaptur). She is from Ohio. I am from Idaho. We come from different
States and have different perspectives and different points of view and
different interests many times, and it is fun to sit in our hearings
because oftentimes she brings up issues that I would have never thought
of as we have people before us testifying, and I hope I do the same
occasionally, too, and all our members do that. That is what really
makes this process work.
That is why getting back to regular order and debating bills and
marking them up and going to conference, as the Speaker and leader and
minority leader have tried to do here, is so important.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Carter of Georgia). All time for general debate
has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment
under the 5-minute rule.
During consideration of the bill for amendment, each amendment shall
be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent. No pro forma amendment shall be in order
except that the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations or their respective designees may offer up to 10 pro
forma amendments each at any point for the purpose of debate. The chair
of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the
basis of whether the Member offering an amendment has caused it to be
printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that
purpose. Amendments so printed shall be considered read.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 5055
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for energy and water
development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
CORPS OF ENGINEERS--CIVIL
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Corps of Engineers--Civil
The following appropriations shall be expended under the
direction of the Secretary of the Army and the supervision of
the Chief of Engineers for authorized civil functions of the
Department of the Army pertaining to river and harbor, flood
and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic
ecosystem restoration, and related efforts.
investigations
For expenses necessary where authorized by law for the
collection and study of basic information pertaining to river
and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore
protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related needs;
for surveys and detailed studies, and plans and
specifications of proposed river and harbor, flood and storm
damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem
restoration projects, and related efforts prior to
construction; for restudy of authorized projects; and for
miscellaneous investigations, and, when authorized by law,
surveys and detailed studies, and plans and specifications of
projects prior to construction, $120,000,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may
initiate up to, but not more than, six new study starts
during fiscal year 2017: Provided further, That the new study
starts will consist of five studies where the majority of the
benefits are derived from navigation transportation savings
or from flood and storm damage reduction and one study where
the majority of benefits are derived from environmental
restoration: Provided further, That the Secretary shall not
deviate from the new starts proposed in the work plan, once
the plan has been submitted to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Gosar
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
Page 50, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.
Mr. GOSAR (during the reading). Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent
that the amendment be considered as read.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Arizona?
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 743, the gentleman
from Arizona and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that will help
reduce the large backlog of important Army Corps of Engineers'
projects. This amendment transfers $1 million from the Department of
Energy's departmental administration budget to the Army Corps of
Engineers' investigations account to bring it up to fiscal year 2016
enacted levels.
The investigations account funds the planning and environmental
studies required under the law for important Corps projects prior to
construction.
{time} 1800
There is a backlog of worthwhile Corps projects throughout the
country that are essential to improving water infrastructure for
communities, improving ecosystem restoration, providing clean water,
and expanding much-needed water storage. These projects are especially
critical to the drought-stricken communities in the West, and many
other parts of the Nation.
The committee showed great insight in recognizing that the
administration's request for the Corps' investigation budget was much
too low, stating in the committee report: ``Once again, the
administration's claims to understand the importance of infrastructure
ring hollow when it comes to water resource infrastructure investments.
In fact, if enacted, the budget request would represent the lowest
level of funding for the Civil Works program since fiscal year 2004.''
At a time of historic drought and major water challenges, we
shouldn't be reducing investigation dollars that will allow worthwhile
community projects to move forward.
[[Page H3057]]
The committee has provided significant safeguards in the report to
ensure that the funds transferred by this amendment will go to planning
for the most viable projects and ``studies that will enhance the
Nation's economic development, job growth, and international
competitiveness; are for projects located in areas that have suffered
recent natural disasters; or are for projects to address legal
requirements.''
Support for this amendment is definitive action we can take to
directly support timely development of critical water infrastructure
projects.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I thank the
distinguished chair and ranking member for their work on this bill.
Mr. Chairman, I ask for a positive vote on this amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Committee will rise informally.
The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Valadao) assumed the chair.
____________________