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September 10, 2014
On September 9, Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) of the Appropriations Committee introduced a “clean” draft of a joint House and Senate Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded until the end of the fiscal year (FY), September 30, 2014. Continuing Resolutions allow agencies to continue functioning using the previous year’s budget, for a set and limited amount of time – a clean CR refers to the fact that no amendments were added to the resolution. Passing a CR is necessary as Congress has just under two weeks left in the legislative calendar before recessing until after the Midterm elections. A CR also opens up the possibility of another government shutdown, since the CR expires on December 11th, after which either a new CR or all 12 separate appropriations bills must be passed.
Due to the CR, the appropriations bills passed in both Senate and House committees this summer will not be reflected in initial FY2015 spending. All of the House and Senate appropriations bills that passed through committee earlier this year have followed the spending levels set by the Murray/Ryan Budget, from budget committee chairs Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Ryan (R-WI), in late 2013. Controversial appropriations amendments passed in the House typically result in a bill not passing through the Senate. However, since the Republican’s majority in the House is not expected to dramatically change after the mid-term elections, the FY2015 appropriations package reflects the House Majority’s priorities for FY2015 and beyond. Therefore, it is possible that some of these amendments could make their way into FY2016 appropriations bills.
Prior to the introduction of the draft CR, the House passed seven appropriations bills. The Senate did not vote on any of these bills, but the Senate appropriations committee passed eight appropriations bills of their own. Below is a list of some of the more controversial spending cuts and amendments to a variety of agencies’ appropriations for FY2015 proposed by the House. In general, the House majority has sought to cut funding or otherwise limit the federal government’s ability to conduct programs related to climate change or renewable energy, such as climate change monitoring, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.
Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (HR 5171)
On July 18, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY2015 Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (HR 5171) appropriations bill on a 29-19 vote.
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (HR 4923)
On July 10, the House passed the 2015 Energy and Water appropriations bill (HR 4923) with a bipartisan vote of 253-170.
Relevant Amendments:
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015 (HR 4870)
On June 20, the House passed the Defense appropriations bill (HR 4870) with a bipartisan vote of 340-73.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (HR 4800)
On May 29, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Agriculture appropriations bill (HR 4800) on a 31-18 vote.
Under the process known as Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS), the House bill would fund Energy Title programs at $89 million for FY 2015 -- down from the $147 million level provided in mandatory funding in the 2014 Farm Bill (a 39 percent cut). The cuts target three critical programs, with proposed funding levels as follows:
Author: Jenifer Collins
Editor: Jessie Stolark
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