Full committee
Good morning, welcome to the Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee for consideration of legislation making appropriations for fiscal year 2013.
This legislation appropriates $150 billion in discretionary funds, which is a little more than $6 billion less, or 4% below, fiscal year 2012 levels.
The American people are well aware that runaway government spending is slowing economic recovery and costing jobs. For the first time in U.S. history, our credit rating has been downgraded. If we do not act now, we, our children, and grandchildren will pay a heavy price for our lack of discipline.
Real leaders make difficult choices. The Senate, which has not passed a budget in three years, has shown no leadership. This legislation represents a clear step toward returning to fiscal responsibility, while still ensuring that funding for critical and high-priority programs are maintained.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers made remarks today in response to Senate Majority Leader Reid's refusal to act on a single Appropriations bill before the November elections.
The statement by House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers follows:
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.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5972, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2013.
This is the sixth bill we've considered on the House floor, which means the House is nearly halfway done with its Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2013. The Appropriations Committee has considered 11 of the 12 annual bills so far this year, in record time. I'm proud of our quick and thorough progress, and also that we've been able to work in regular order – which has been a goal of this Committee from the get-go last January.
Before I get into my remarks on this important piece of legislation, I would like to join in commending my friend, Ranking Member Norm Dicks, for his years of valuable contribution to this Subcommittee. Mr. Dicks has been a member of the Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee for almost 36 years, having served as Chairman for three of those. This is a terrific accomplishment and we will be sorry to lose his wealth of institutional knowledge when Mr. Dicks retires at the end of the year. I wish to thank you for your years of service to this Committee, the House of Representatives, and our country.
