Good afternoon. I call this meeting of the committee on appropriations to order. Before we begin, house rules now we have set up any mileage us to which members can send anything they wish to submit they wish to submit in writing in any of her hearings or markups. Our hearings or markups. Has been provided to staff. The first order of business is consideration of the energy and Water Development appropriations bill. For fiscal year 2021. Captornow recognize this ms. Captor to present the bill. Please let me also add my you for your honorable and dedicated service to our community and nation and for your recognition of the full potential of this bill. You will truly be missed. I am pleased to consider the energy and water bill today. It is a good bill. A bill that captures the spirit of ingenuity and independence of the American People. Are actually able to provide the most important Climate Change bill congress will pass this year. This bill provides the foundation of critical investments that combat Climate Change, to upgrade infrastructure, and responsibly fund our Nations Nuclear deterrence. It rejects this administrations dangerous plan to restart Nuclear Explosive testing. In addition to regular appropriations, this bill qs of additional Infrastructure Investment to help our nation recover from the economic recession haste and by the hastenedus pandemic by the coronavirus pandemic. Modernize is our water and energy infrastructure. It rejects the president s proposed cuts. Instead, it invests an important programs that keep our nation at the forefront of innovation. It enables the efficient shipment of goods and provides water, irrigation, and electricity to millions of our fellow citizens. These programs are their lifeblood and propel real economic growth. Let me briefly walk through the build. The army corps of engineers received 7. 6 billion, the second year of record funding, to address the significant backlog and increase of 1. 7 billion above the budget request. We all must salute the whoessionals at the corps assisted with the Coronavirus Response across the nation. The Bureau Reclamation receives 1. 64 billion. The department of Energy Receives 41 billion. Within the department of energy, the bill contains historic funding levels for key Energy Innovation programs. Energy efficiency and renewable Energy Receives 2. 85 billion. 2. 1 billion above the request. Our advanced Energy Portfolio receives 435 million. The record amount for a program the president proposed to eliminate. It represents the future. And the office of science received 7. 05 alien dollars. 2 billion seven 7. 05 billion. 1. 2 billion more than additionally requested more than initially requested. The bill also provides an increase to one sure lowincome households have and live morency Sustainable Futures in those communities. The National NuclearSecurity Administration receives 18 billion. Fundsll responsibly American Nuclear deterrence. This bill prohibits funds to be used for a border wall. It does not allow the president to divert essential army corps funding from previously approved appropriation. A rich,tly, to ensure robust economy, the bill includes additional investments including 17ure, billion for the army corps of engineers to accelerate pending projects with a huge backlog. Including 10 billion in construction and 5 billion in operation and maintenance. The bill includes 3 billion to accelerate work on authorized reclamation projects and 23. 5 billion for the department of energy to modernize infrastructure and deploy technologies for our nations clean energy future. It actuallyset is amazing to me to look at our maps around the world as people shelterinplace at the dramatic change and positive change in the environment. We simply have to do better. This bill makes desperately needed investments and Water Infrastructure. In invest in clear energy technologies. It invests in clear energy technologies. It promotes a Credible Nuclear Deterrence while supporting robust, nonproliferation programs. To thank our subcommittee members for their direct engagement during the in usual process this year. I also want to thank our Ranking Member, mr. Simpson. A giant in the congress. Miss granger for their full partnership. I would also like to thank our enduring staff for their hard work. Marcel c. , etc. The majority side in the minority side. Thank you very much. I would now like to recognize the subcommittee Ranking Member, mr. Simpson. Thank you. Before i start my comments, had like to take a moment to of knowledge this is your final energy and water mark of. It took a long time acknowledge this is your final energy and water markup. It took a long time and you have set a great example. You have always been honest and respectful interactions with me in my side of the aisle, even when disagreeing on policy issues. Thank you for your service to this committee and the nation. I wish you the great happiness and whatever you wish to do after your turn meant congress your retirement from congress. It is clear the majority worked hard to address individual members of priorities from both sides of the aisle. Of great importance to me is the department of energys Nuclear Energy program. I appreciate the effort to address many of my priorities within that account. Overall funding for the program is not reflected of the importance to the global and National Energy future. The report expresses the intent to address Climate Change. You heard much of that during the opening remarks. Those words seem a bit hollow slowedcarbon free they base load suffers one of the largest cuts in the entire bill. I am hopeful we can Work Together towards stronger funding for this program, including specific projects like the versatile test reactor. It includes an astonishing amount of emergency, mandatory, and other spending that undermine the defense and nondefense spending levels agreed to win last years bipartisan budget deal. All without discretion, let alone buy in from republicans. The bill shortchanges funding for the Nuclear Weapons program by almost 2 billion. I acknowledge the increase above last year. We must also of knowledge the threats we face today are not the same threats we faced in the years immediately following the end of the cold war. D asust adequately fun necessary to maintain an effective stockpile. Build the infrastructure that is necessary. Many buildings and facilities being used today are 50 or 60 years old. Places that you probably would not want to go into or let alone working. Those need to be replaced. That was much of the increase from nnsa this year. But we are not but we have not met the. But we have not met that. Three provisions as drafted good the short our ability to maintain an an Effective Nuclear deterrence. Advise, isis, develop, or execute the budget for the national Security Administration or nnsa. I believe the intent of the provision is to reaffirm that the secretary of energy has sibility and authority for appropriately balancing the department, including the Nuclear Weapons program. I support what they are intending to do with this language. I support the current structure is an important as an important aspect of civilian control. As drafted, section 309 likely would append current laws upend current laws. They are doing short communication and coordination between the department of energy and the fence. They are to ensure communication and coordination between the department of energy and the department of defense. We are directed to advise both departments on their respective budgetary needs. I dont believe it was a majoritys goal to do so. Plain reading would prevent much of this work from happening. As we move forward, i am hopeful that we can Work Together to address these unintended consequences. To the intented of what they are trying to do with this. I agree with it. The language causes me some concern. The bill provides no funding for Yucca Mountain. For the application process. I would remind members the aw of theis still the l land. The bill puts in money for interim storage, not construction, but to advance interim storage. Communities that once were looking at being places for interim storage are now starting to reject that, because we are not working on a permanent repository. They are concerned that they would become the de facto permanent repository. I would also like to know what exactly they mean by consentbased. Consent by who . Just the people in the local community . In that case, Yucca Mountain has consent. People supported. It. Eople support why do you mean by consentbased . Who has to consent . [no audio] i would now like to recognize myself for opening remarks. I congratulate the chairwoman, the Ranking Member for this bill before us. I also think the subCommittee Staff for their great work. Billtrong funding in this is critical for our nations ability to recover from the and soirus pandemic and economic crises. It revitalizes Americas Energy and Water Infrastructure and fosters Energy Innovation while supporting a balance and responsible approach to national andrity balanced responsible approach to national security. We invest in modernizing our aging infrastructure, maintaining our economically important rivers and waterways, and protect communities from flooding made worse by Climate Change. Bill advances new studies in construction efforts and provides the resources needed to continue projects across every state and territory. In the billnds actually help the American People, it bars the use of funds for President Trumps wasteful border well. The threats of Climate Change are real. This bill takes proactive steps to support renewable and Sustainable Energy resources by providing 2. 85 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy activities. The bill rejects. The administrations proposal to andinate invest in cuttingedge research to radically improve economic prosperity. The health of our environment and our national security. Thelly, the bill supports Nuclear Responsibility of the department of energy, maintains the safety, security, and effectiveness of the Nations Nuclear deterrence, while addressing the challenges that nuclear of proliferation and terrorism. The bill provides interim storage of Nuclear Waste and would prohibit funding for an unnecessary restart of Nuclear Weapons testing. Measuredthese investments and this prohibition strengthen our national security. The bill represents a serious commitment to ensure a clean energy future, reduce risk to our infrastructure, and secure our safety and prosperity. Againstvestments hedge the need for even greater resources in the event of the infrastructure failures. National disasters, severe ttacks onvents, or a our security. With this bill, we can get americans back to work. Rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. And embrace a clean energy future. I urge support. I would now like to recognize my friend, Ranking Member granger, for her opening remarks. Thank you, madam chair. I want to begin by thanking the chairwoman and the Ranking Member further and Ranking Member simpson. Almost every Congressional District across the country benefits in some way from the important work of the corps of engineer and the bureau of reclamation. These agencies are responsible for projects that protect the public and property. Itproven they are made is proven that they generate millions of jobs. These projects were significant sources of drinking and Irrigation Water for our communities and farmers. Fortunately, the bill does not sufficiently prioritize funding for other critical priorities. I am disappointed the bill includes controversial policy writers and significant new emergency spending. Funding for Nuclear Weapons activities, although increased above last year, is well below the budget request, even though the infrastructure is in serious need of repair. For example, there is a building 200ennessee where a pound slab of concrete literally fell from the ceiling. We must provide the funding necessary to ensure our ability to deter nuclear attacks. Policy writers include language stopping funds from being used for the border wall, and prohibits the funds for a critical water storage project in california. In previous years, we can expect administration to oppose controversial policy writers. As in previous years, we can expect the administration to oppose controversial policy writers. The bill includes 43. 5 billion in new emergency spending. I cant support the additional spending until there is serious discussion with members on our side of the aisle. Would like to recognize the members of the subcommittee in closing and the staff for their work on this bill. I thank you madam chair, i yield back. Thank you, madam chair, i yield back. I am pleased to call on mr. Rogers. Moment to thank the chairman and Ranking Member forson and the Committee Funding the appellation Regional Commission. Arc. Throughout my time in congress, the appellation Regional Commission has been a bastion of hope for our region. 1965, it has led efforts to innovate and invest in the region. To strengthen economic growth. The chairke to thank for providing 175 million for arc in this bill. 10 million more than the president s request and last years level. And continuing to include 65 million to help those in apalatia who have been hurt. This funding will enable arc to continue its strong record of creating thousands of new jobs, improving local water ran local water systems, increasing access to health care , investing in critical broadband and infrastructure, and more. I was pleased to see strong funding for the critical program, the bills overall funding level gives me great concern. Especially when considering the additional 17 billion in emergency spending. The cause of that spending in partisan policy writers because of that spending in the partisan because of that spending and the partisan policy writers, i cannot support this bill. I yield back. Ms. Frankel is recognized. Thank you, madam chair. It is an honor to serve with you on this committee. I just want to make a few points that are crucial to not only stuff, but a country. We have funded the everglades at a high level and added necessary for projectsge moving forward. It is not only a national park, it serves as the main water source for 8 million south floridians and visitors. It is also the home to 180 plants and animal species that are threatened or endangered. Florida, the state of the federal government, the army corps of engineers play a major role in making sure that [indiscernible] as nature intended, protecting this environment, and our water for future and current generations. Second, i want to add my thanks to increasing the Renewable Energy program over to pointed billion dollars program, over 2. 8 billion. I want to talk a little bit about the beach, the waterways, andh are economic engines south florida and around our nation. Beaches bring billions of dollars around the country, 70 billion here in florida. 690,000 jobs in the United States. Commercial ports in the usa, trillions of dollars added to our economy. Everll be more vital than before we get control of our covid pandemic. , once just add that it is again, the language in this bill. Tates to use best science i look forward to working with you as we work with the senate. I yield back. Hello, madam chair, members of the committee. I deeply missed being here today. We have limited bandwidth. Thanks for accommodating. 94 million is included in this bill. Completing the long expansion. You worked closely with me and mr. Bishop and our entire georgia delegation over the years to address the port of savannah. And so many other projects during my time on this committee. We all know that we could not do this without the incredible help of the. Teams that surround us. Help of the team that some help of the teams that surround us. There is one special person i wanted to thank. Someone has been with me for over 10 years on the hill. That is jason murphy. Hes done a great job for us over the last decade. Hes been a great asset to my office and our entire is delegation in the state of georgia. Thank you for all your great work. Thank you again, madam chair. I look forward to being in person with you