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Welcome to the full Committee markup of the fiscal year 2013 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. I want to personally thank Mr. Moran and each of the Members of the subcommittee for their active participation and the bipartisan spirit that continues to be a hallmark of our subcommittee's work.
Before I get into the details of the bill, I'd like to take a moment to recognize a couple of people. For Mr. Dicks, today's full Committee markup is his last markup of a bill that he loves so much. He has served on this Subcommittee for nearly 36 years and served as its Chairman for three years. Norm—and I say this sincerely—this subcommittee just won't be the same without you and we will miss you.
The fiscal year 2013 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill does a good job providing adequate funding for important programs, while reducing funding for departments and agencies that have been known for rampant, wasteful and over-inflated spending, bringing their budgets down to more sustainable, reasonable levels.
The $28 billion provided in this bill addresses threats to our natural resources and wildlife, bolsters public safety, and nurtures economic growth and domestic energy production. Bipartisan priorities, such as programs dedicated to improving the lives of Native American populations, and forest fire fighting and prevention efforts, have been increased.
