Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on House Appropriations Committee Approval of Fiscal Year 2021 Energy and Water Development Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the approval of the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development Funding Bill.
The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill on a vote of 30 to 21. The legislation funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior programs, the Department of Energy, and other related agencies.
“This bill provides critical emergency funding to help our nation recover from the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis,” Congresswoman Lee said. “It also makes necessary investments to help prevent the climate catastrophe and provides almost $50 billion in energy and water development programs to help the U.S. continue as a leader in global energy innovation. The bill rejects the unwarranted and destructive cuts proposed by the White House, and instead provides funding to strengthen infrastructure for delivery of water, irrigation and energy that we need to rebuild our economy.”
For fiscal year 2021, the Energy and Water Development bill invests $49.6 billion in Energy and Water Development programs, an increase of $1.26 billion, or 3 percent, above the fiscal year 2020 enacted level. To respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic recession, the bill provides an additional $43.5 billion in emergency spending.
A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill, prior to adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report is here.