Press Releases

The House Appropriations Committee today released the initial fiscal year 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation provides the nation’s military with the infrastructure needed to house, train, and equip military personnel, supports the quality of life of our troops and their families, and maintains our military base structure. The bill also funds veterans’ benefits and programs to ensure that all veterans receive the services they have earned as a result of their sacrifices and service to the country.

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson examined the President’s budget proposal for the Bureau of Land Management during an appropriations subcommittee hearing yesterday. During the hearing, Simpson questioned BLM Principle Deputy Director Neil Kornze on grazing, sage-grouse, and the impact of frivolous litigation on the agency.

Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to allow the Federal Aviation Administration to transfer funds to stop the furloughing of air traffic controllers. These furloughs were the result of automatic budget cuts under the sequestration law, and have caused recent air traffic delays.

“The President’s budget request released today is months overdue and is overstuffed with spending and tax increases that will continue to hinder economic growth. Unfortunately, it is simply an anticlimactic political exercise, containing 'par for the course' policies at a time when we need a real, substantial change in how government manages the nation’s finances."

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers this morning announced that Jim Kulikowski will serve as Deputy Staff Director of the Committee, effective April 1. Kulikowski succeeds Will Smith, who has been named the new Staff Director of the Committee.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers has named Will Smith as Committee Staff Director, effective April 1. Smith currently serves as the Committee’s Deputy Staff Director, and succeeds William Inglee, who has served as Staff Director of the Committee since 2010.

The U.S. House today approved H.R. 933, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013. The bill provides funding needed to keep the doors of the government open until the end of the 2013 fiscal year on September 30. The current continuing resolution expires on March 27.