Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the House minority leader.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the minority whip of the House.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mrs. LOWEY. I am pleased to yield another 30 seconds to the distinguished minority whip.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, on January 6, 2015 I missed recorded votes #1-7 as I was attending the funeral of Governor Mario Cuomo in New York. I would like to reflect how I would have voted if I were here and sworn into office: On Roll Call #1 I would have voted present (Quorum Call). On Roll Call #2 I would have voted for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. On Roll Call #3 I would have voted ``no'' (Motion to Table). On Roll Call #4 I would have voted ``no'' (Previous Question). On Roll Call #5 I would have voted ``yes'' (Motion to Commit). On Roll Call #6 I would have voted ``no'' (Passage of House Rules Package). On Roll Call #7 I would have voted ``yes'' (Passage ``Hire More Heroes Act'' H.R. 22).

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. At the outset, I want to thank the gentleman from Kentucky, Chairman Rogers, for the cooperative way he has guided this committee. It has truly been a pleasure for me to work with him and his staff. As we all know, Mr. Speaker, funding to keep the government operating expires at midnight tonight. It is my sincere hope that we can avoid the antics of last year, when a vocal minority in this body was able to hold the entire government hostage for reasons they couldn't articulate. It wasn't fair to the American people, and I hope we never have to go through it again. Throughout this process, my goal has been to avoid another costly shutdown and make adequate investments to grow the economy, enhance our security, and protect the most vulnerable among us. I remain disappointed, Mr. Speaker, that the House majority decided to leave out the agreement reached on the Department of Homeland Security. The decision reflects their political calculation on immigration policy. I believe my chairman was right when he rebuffed efforts to restrict the President's executive orders on immigration on a must-pass appropriations bill. But forcing these important agencies--Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration--into a 2-month continuing resolution was unnecessary and unfortunate. The short-term CR creates uncertainty and will limit the Department's ability to make important decisions on procurements, hiring, and on new initiatives we all support. I will now enter into the Record a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Johnson outlining the problems with funding the Department through a CR. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC, December 5, 2014. Hon. Nita Lowey, Ranking Member, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Lowey: As the United States Congress addresses the FY 2015 appropriations for the Federal Government, I ask for your support for a full annual appropriation for the Department. As you know, a Continuing Resolution is not the most effective way to fund the government. Short-term funding measures are disruptive, create uncertainty, and impede efficient resource planning and execution. They inherently slow down day-to-day operations, force leadership to make short-sighted versus long-term decisions, and adversely impact operations in a manner that is hard to overcome if full funding is provided later in the year. Additionally, the disruption to acquisitions, the slow-down of our business processes, such as contracting and hiring, and the effect of many other elements driven by short-term funding have a direct impact on effectiveness of the Department. While a short-term Continuing Resolution has impacts across the Department, I wanted to highlight some specific areas that are most concerning. Securing our Borders--Investments to strengthen border security with new border surveillance technology for the Rio Grande Valley would not be available. Grants Funding--State and local municipalities would not receive key preparedness grant funding, such as the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative grants. National Security Cutter--the U.S. Coast Guard will not have funding to award the contract for NSC #8, the centerpiece of the Coast Guard's Fleet, supporting the maritime homeland security and defense missions. This could result in the expiration of the agreed upon offer by the prime and sub-contractors, subsequently leading to a delay of delivery of NSC #8 and most likely resulting in increased costs. National Rio and Agro Defense Facility--Awarding the final segment of the construction contract for the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility could be problematic. Uncertainties in the appropriations process have introduced risks to Kansas providing the gift funds to support the May 2015 award date. Appropriation of the final $300 million is necessary for Kansas to provide the $202 million in gift funds. In closing, I would like to thank the Congress for the continued support provided to the Department. However, I must also stress the need for an annual appropriation based on the FY 2015 President's Budget and the Committee markups accomplished earlier this summer. Identical letters have been sent to the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and to the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me or the Department's Chief Financial Officer, Chip Fulghum. Sincerely, Jeh Charles Johnson.

Mrs. LOWEY. My colleague from North Carolina, David Price, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, was unsuccessful in his attempt at the Rules Committee to restore full- year funding for this bill. I authored an amendment to strike two very controversial provisions--one to strike a rider related to swaps under the Dodd-Frank law, the other to strike a provision raising contribution limits to political parties. These provisions are divisive and unnecessary. They should be removed. The 11 other spending bills included in this package are a mix of wins and losses. I was very pleased that most of the worst riders were dropped, including those on the Affordable Care Act, the Clean Air Act, and those preventing full implementation of new reforms to the Federal school lunch program. Statutory budget caps essentially kept all discretionary programs at a hard freeze, but I am pleased we were able to prioritize a few key items, such as the National Institutes of Health and food safety at the Food and Drug Administration. Another very modest but very important increase is provided for afterschool programs, many of which suffered steep cuts under sequestration and have still not made up those shortfalls. I am also pleased the final agreement provides $500 million for the Department of Transportation's TIGER program to fund major surface transportation projects, including bridges, transit, and passenger rail. To keep firearms out of the hands of those who shouldn't possess them, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System will receive an increase of $14.5 million. This important investment was achieved because Members on both sides of the aisle recognize how crucial this money is for States to improve their submission of records into the background check system. The appropriations package includes much of the administration's request to respond to the deadly Ebola crisis, $5.4 billion. We must ensure that all of those tasked with being on the front lines fighting this disease, from local hospitals to Federal agencies, have what they need. We all recognize how the ease of international travel has changed the way we must respond to contagious diseases. I have confidence in our health care system, the Centers for Disease Control, and the fantastic hospitals that stepped up to take and treat the patients with Ebola. But we should do whatever we can to stop the disease where it is the most deadly. The funding provided will allow research to ramp up to treat and hopefully develop a vaccine for Ebola. Before I close, I would like to thank the committee staff for their tireless work, particularly David Pomerantz and Lesley Turner, who worked closely with Will and the entire Appropriations staff. I am very pleased the Appropriations Committee was able to come together on a package to fund 11 of the 12 spending bills. But, again, I wish it had been on all 12 bills and only dealt with issues related to appropriations. I will reiterate that the funding contains many things I wish had had a different outcome. I fought throughout the conference, for example, to get rid of the swaps language. It does not belong on an appropriations bill. The Reid-Boehner provision to increase by tenfold the limits on contributions to political parties is excessive and also does not belong on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the distinguished ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee. (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this package explicitly rejects attempts to prohibit clarifying the definition of navigable waters of the U.S. However, the CR/Omnibus does contain language relating to core permitting for certain ranching, farming, and silviculture practices. To be clear, this provision does not change current law and preserves the current scope of agricultural exemptions. If you needed a permit before, you will need to get a permit under this provision; if you didn't need one before, you won't under this provision. I am pleased again that as with most riders, this provision maintains status quo. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking member, and I want to make it clear that I agree with the gentleman from New York, the ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee, and our colleague, the Delegate from D.C., that the language in the bill does not block either decriminalization of marijuana or the referendum on legalization.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the ranking member of the Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), a very distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations Committee who is planning to retire. We will miss him greatly, and we wish him good luck in his future endeavors.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished minority whip.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is remaining?

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), a distinguished ranking member of the committee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, our most important responsibility is to fund government operations. This bill does that, but it also contains a number of objectionable items that have no place in a spending bill. I would like to thank Jim Moran, Ed Pastor, Bill Owens, Frank Wolf, Tom Latham, and Jack Kingston. Your friendship and expertise will be missed. I am pleased that, after weeks of negotiations, we have a package that funds 11 of the 12 bills. I hope that in the next Congress we avoid such a contentious process and pass bills we are proud to support under regular order. Mr. Speaker, I will insert the President's statement in support of this bill in the Record. Mr. Speaker, I am voting for this bill, and I urge your support. I yield back the balance of my time.. Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 83--Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Rep. Rogers, R-KY, Dec. 11, 2014) The Administration supports House passage of H.R. 83, making appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2015, and for other purposes. The Administration appreciates the bipartisan effort to include full-year appropriations legislation for most Government functions that allows for planning and provides certainty, while making progress toward appropriately investing in economic growth and opportunity, and adequately funding national security requirements. The Administration also appreciates the authorities and funding provided to enhance the U.S. Government's response to the Ebola epidemic, and to implement the Administration's strategy to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as investments for the President's early education agenda, Pell Grants, the bipartisan, Manufacturing Institutes initiative, and extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. However, the Administration objects to the inclusion of ideological and special interest riders in the House bill. In particular, the Administration is opposed to the inclusion of a rider that would amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and weaken a critical component of financial system reform aimed at reducing taxpayer risk. Additionally, the Administration is opposed to inclusion of a rider that would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act to allow individual donors to contribute to national political party committee accounts for conventions, buildings and recounts in amounts that are dramatically higher than what the law currently permits. Furthermore, the Administration is disappointed that the bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 27, 2015, at last year's levels. Short-term continuing resolution funding measures are disruptive, create uncertainty, and impede efficient resource planning and execution. The Administration urges the Congress to enact comprehensive full-year appropriations legislation for all Government functions free of provisions that have no place in annual appropriations bills.