Fiscal Year 2014 Government Funding Bill Released, Including New DOE-NNSA Appropriations
Published: Tue, 01/14/14
|
FY 2014 Omnibus - Energy and Water Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee
January 13, 2014
House Appropriations Committee
January 13, 2014
Bill realigns funding toward critical security and infrastructure efforts
The Energy and Water Subcommittee portion of the Omnibus realigns funding priorities toward nuclear weapons activities critical to national security and important infrastructure programs. In all, the legislation includes a total of approximately $34 billion - an increase of $777 million above the enacted 2013 level.
National Security - The bill provides a total of $11.2 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the safety, security, and readiness of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile.
Within this funding is $7.8 billion for Weapons Activities, an increase of $268 million (3.5%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $874 million (12.5%) compared to the sequestration level. This critical national defense funding will uphold the nation's nuclear deterrence posture, and modernize aging weapons systems and infrastructure. The amount for Weapons Activities includes $537 million as requested to extend the life of the B61 nuclear bomb.
.
Army Corps of Engineers - The Army Corps of Engineers is funded at $5.5 billion, an increase of $487 million (10%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level.
.
Army Corps of Engineers - The Army Corps of Engineers is funded at $5.5 billion, an increase of $487 million (10%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level.
The bill focuses funding on navigation and flood control to advance public safety, boost U.S. export ability, create jobs, and help ensure our waterways stay open for business. Within the total, the bill provides:
- $642 million above the request for essential flood control and navigation projects;
- $2.3 billion for navigation projects and studies;
- More than $1 billion in funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund;
- $1.6 billion for public health and flood and storm damage reduction activities - including $247 million for critical dam safety improvements.
- $2.3 billion for navigation projects and studies;
- More than $1 billion in funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund;
- $1.6 billion for public health and flood and storm damage reduction activities - including $247 million for critical dam safety improvements.
Energy Programs - The bill provides $10.2 billion for energy programs within the Department of Energy (DOE) - a $620 million increase above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level - to support energy programs that encourage U.S. economic competitiveness and help advance the nation's goal of an all-of-the-above solution to energy independence. This includes:
- $562 million for research and development to advance coal, natural gas, oil, and other fossil energy technologies, an increase of $28 million (5.3%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $141 million (34%) above the President's request, to help the country make better use of our domestic resources and reduce energy costs;
- $889 million for nuclear energy research and development, an increase of $36 million (5%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $154 million (21%) above the President's request, to further the next generation of nuclear power while ensuring the safety and longevity of our current plants;
- $1.9 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs - placing priority on advanced manufacturing and weatherization assistance. This funding will make responsible investments in effective and proven programs, while holding the line on irresponsible increases in other areas. This total is $874 million - or 32% - below the President's request.
- $889 million for nuclear energy research and development, an increase of $36 million (5%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $154 million (21%) above the President's request, to further the next generation of nuclear power while ensuring the safety and longevity of our current plants;
- $1.9 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs - placing priority on advanced manufacturing and weatherization assistance. This funding will make responsible investments in effective and proven programs, while holding the line on irresponsible increases in other areas. This total is $874 million - or 32% - below the President's request.
Science Research - The bill includes $5.1 billion for science research, an increase of $195 million (4%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will help strengthen innovation and advance future American competitiveness by supporting basic energy research, development of high-performance computing systems, and research into the next generation of clean energy sources.
Within this amount, the bill restores many of the cuts to the fusion energy program that the President had proposed. This basic research will lay the groundwork for more efficient and practical domestic energy solutions to help reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, and help promote future growth in American businesses and industries.
Department of the Interior - The legislation contains $1.1 billion - $44 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level - for the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Reclamation. This funding is intended to help manage, develop, and protect the water resources of western states.
Policy Items - The legislation includes several significant policy provisions to protect American interests and rein in Administration overreach. These provisions include:
- A prohibition on funding for the Administration's onerous "light bulb" standard, which prevents incandescent bulbs from being manufactured or sold, despite a continued public desire for these products;
- A provision prohibiting funds for the Army Corps to change the definition of "fill material," which could have harmful effects on many U.S. industries; and
- A continuation of prior-year funding for Yucca Mountain to maintain its viability for future use and to finish its third safety evaluation report.
- A provision prohibiting funds for the Army Corps to change the definition of "fill material," which could have harmful effects on many U.S. industries; and
- A continuation of prior-year funding for Yucca Mountain to maintain its viability for future use and to finish its third safety evaluation report.
Fiscal Year 2014 Government Funding Bill Released
House Appropriations Committee
January 13, 2014
House Appropriations Committee
January 13, 2014
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, House Appropriations Ranking Member Nita Lowey, and Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Richard Shelby today announced the release of the fiscal year 2014 consolidated appropriations bill.
The bill meets the terms set by the Ryan-Murray budget agreement, providing $1.012 trillion for the operation of the federal government and avoiding a government shutdown. The bill repeals the recently enacted cut to cost of living adjustments, or COLAs for disabled military retirees and survivors.
The bill meets the terms set by the Ryan-Murray budget agreement, providing $1.012 trillion for the operation of the federal government and avoiding a government shutdown. The bill repeals the recently enacted cut to cost of living adjustments, or COLAs for disabled military retirees and survivors.
The Chairs and Ranking Members made the following joint statement on the legislation:
"We are pleased to have come to a fair, bipartisan agreement on funding the government for 2014. Although our differences were many and our deadline short, we were able to a draft a solid piece of legislation that meets the guidelines of the Ryan-Murray deal, keeps the government open, and eliminates the uncertainty and economic instability of stop-gap governing. Furthermore, our legislation includes a bipartisan fix to repeal last year's cut to COLAs for disabled military retirees and survivors.
"As with any compromise, not everyone will like everything in this bill, but in this divided government a critical bill such as this simply cannot reflect the wants of only one party. We believe this is a good, workable measure that will serve the American people well, and we encourage all our colleagues to support it this week."
"We are pleased to have come to a fair, bipartisan agreement on funding the government for 2014. Although our differences were many and our deadline short, we were able to a draft a solid piece of legislation that meets the guidelines of the Ryan-Murray deal, keeps the government open, and eliminates the uncertainty and economic instability of stop-gap governing. Furthermore, our legislation includes a bipartisan fix to repeal last year's cut to COLAs for disabled military retirees and survivors.
"As with any compromise, not everyone will like everything in this bill, but in this divided government a critical bill such as this simply cannot reflect the wants of only one party. We believe this is a good, workable measure that will serve the American people well, and we encourage all our colleagues to support it this week."
White House on spending bill: 'Pass it'
Politico
January 13, 2014
The Obama administration hailed the bipartisan appropriations bill introduced Monday night and called on Congress "to move quickly to pass it."
Calling the bill "a positive step forward for the nation and our economy," OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell touted funding in the bill for "investments in areas like education, infrastructure and innovation that Democrats and Republicans both support."
Calling the bill "a positive step forward for the nation and our economy," OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell touted funding in the bill for "investments in areas like education, infrastructure and innovation that Democrats and Republicans both support."
Burwell also called for Congress to pass the emergency unemployment insurance legislation that President Barack Obama has sought since the long-term unemployment benefits expired Dec. 28.
"In addition to this legislation, we need to continue to work to grow the economy and help working class families," she said. "Most immediately, that means restoring unemployment insurance for more than one million Americans fighting to find a job."
 |
|
More Information |
|
Washington, D.C.
February 27-28, 2014
Register at link above |
|
To help ensure that you receive all email with images correctly displayed, please add ecabulletin@aweber.com to your address book or contact list |
|
to the ECA Email Server |
|
If you have trouble viewing this email, view the online version |