Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor to bring the fiscal year 2013 Energy and Water bill before the full House.

Before I begin my remarks, let me thank the full chairman, Mr. Rogers, as well as the ranking member, Mr. Dicks, for their support of a very open process. I would also like to thank my ranking member, Congressman Pete Visclosky, for his dedication to our joint mission and our close working relationship. The bill is stronger for his input and knowledge.

I would also like to thank the committee staff: Rob Blair, our clerk; Joe Levin; Loraine Heckenberg; Angie Giancarlo; Perry Yates; and Trevor Higgins. On the minority side, I would like to thank Taunja Berquam. I would also like to thank my personal staff, Nancy Fox and Katie Hazlett, and Mr. Visclosky 's personal staff in the form of Joe DeVo.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 5325, the Fiscal Year 2013 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.

This legislation – which funds important agencies and programs under the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation – contains $32.1 billion in discretionary funding – a cut of nearly $1 billion below the President's budget request. Within this bill, we placed the highest priorities on programs that shore up our national security, help tackle sky-rocketing gasoline and energy prices, and support American competitiveness. We know this is a bill that can do a great deal to help promote job creation, improve public safety and regional commerce, and help relieve some of that pain at the pump in the future – so we've made those smart investments that will help boost the American economy.

I'd like to call the subcommittee to order.

Before we get started, I would like to thank Mr. Visclosky and all members for their participation in putting this bill together and their participation in many oversight hearings.

The bill for fiscal year 2013 totals $32.1 billion, $965 million below the request and $88 million above 2012.

This last figure – the above 2012 part – is a little misleading. There were many rescissions that we took in 2012 that we can't take this year. Setting those aside, the bill is actually $623 million below last year.

Not surprisingly, we had to make some hard choices to reach that level, and I appreciate everyone's help to get there. The recommendation continues to prioritize investments in our nuclear security enterprise, programs to address gasoline prices, and opportunities to advance American competitiveness, including the Corps of Engineers.