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WASHINGTON – Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills for the subcommittees on Interior-Environment and the Legislative Branch. Committee Republicans were unable to support these two bills due to several new policy proposals and a total spending level that is hundreds of billions of dollars above the budget agreement.
WASHINGTON – Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2021 subcommittee allocations, known as "302(b)" allocations. The appropriations bills for the subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations; Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs were also considered. Committee Republicans were unable to support the allocations or the individual bills due to a total spending level that is well above the current budget agreement and controversial policy provisions that are in the bills.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
As we turn to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, I want to thank Chairwoman Wasserman-Schultz and Ranking Member Carter for the work they have done this year.
They have come together to address many critical issues that affect military installations and our nation's veterans – reaching across the aisle to fund many projects important to our Members.
This bill funds the military construction priorities that were requested by the Department of Defense, and it helps improve family housing for the military.
This bill also ensures our nation's veterans are given the care they deserve and makes certain our veterans have a dignified final resting place.
Unfortunately, as I said during the subcommittee markup, I am very concerned with the $12.5 billion dollars in emergency spending outside of the budget caps established last August.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I want to thank Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Bishop for his hard work on this bill.
I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of programs funded by this subcommittee. For example, I am glad we were able to help children continue to have access to the meals they rely on while their schools were closed over the past several months.
Support for our farmers and ranchers has been a lifeline during this crisis after many years of economic challenges.
We also expanded internet coverage into rural areas and continue to do so with this fiscal year 2021 bill.
This bill also ensures we have safe and effective drugs, including those that are imported.
