Energy & Water Bill ‘An Important First Step’

'The First Time The Senate Has Approved A Stand-Alone Bill To Fund Energy And Water Programs Since 2009'

SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “The Energy and Water Appropriations bill is important for American energy, for American waterways and ports, and for American commerce and safety… This is a good bill for Kentuckians and for our country. By returning to regular order, we’ve opened up the process and empowered all Senators to have more of a say in the appropriations process. The progress we’ve seen already is encouraging. It shows what’s possible when the Senate under a new majority gets back to a productive legislative process.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Release, 5/12/16)

‘The Earliest The Senate Has Passed An Appropriations Bill In The Last 40 Years’
SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R-TN): “This bill… invests in our waterways. It repairs our locks. It deepens our harbors. It puts us one step closer to doubling basic energy research. It helps to resolve the nuclear waste stalemate that our country has been in for 25 years, finding appropriate places to put used nuclear fuel so we can continue to have a strong nuclear power program—which produces 60 percent of all the carbon-free electricity we have in this country—and it cleans up hazardous materials at Cold War sites. … We have processed 21 amendments and have adopted 14. Almost any Senator who had a contribution to make that they wanted to make to this bill has had a chance to do that. There is a great deal included in here that every Senator can be proud of.” (Sen. Alexander, Congressional Record, S.2729, 5/12/16)

• SEN. DIANE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): “I think we have accomplished a task which hopefully sets an example for other bills that will be shortly forthcoming. But, more importantly than anything, it is really the integrity, sincerity, and earnestness with which you go about this job of chairing this subcommittee. I am very pleased to be Tonto to your Lone Ranger.” (Sen. Feinstein, Congressional Record, S.2730, 5/12/16)

“The Senate on Thursday passed a $37.5 billion package to fund energy and water programs in 2017. Senators approved the bill on a 90-8 vote after weeks of work… With Thursday’s vote, the energy and water funding is the first 2017 appropriations package approved this year.” (“Senate Passes $37.5B Energy And Water Bill After Ending Iran Fight,” The Hill, 5/12/16)

“The vote marked the first time the Senate has approved a stand-alone bill to fund energy and water programs since 2009.” (“Senate Approves $37.5B Measure To Fund Energy, Water,” AP, 5/12/16)

• ALEXANDER: ‘This is … the earliest the Senate has passed an appropriations bill in the last 40 years.’ “According to the Congressional Research Service, this is the earliest date the Senate has begun debating an appropriations bill in the last 40 years. When we finish today, this will be the earliest the Senate has passed an appropriations bill in the last 40 years.” (Sen. Alexander, Congressional Record, S.2729, 5/12/16)
• “Supporters said the measure would strengthen U.S. nuclear deterrence, promote energy security and improve flood-control projects nationwide. The legislation includes a pilot program to allow storage of nuclear waste at private facilities, such as one proposed in western Texas.” (“Senate Approves $37.5B Measure To Fund Energy, Water,” AP, 5/12/16)

“The bill… represents an important first step in the effort by the Senate Republican majority to complete as many of the 12 regular appropriations bills as possible this year.” (“Senate Is Set To Pass A $37.5 Billion Energy Appropriations Bill,” The New York Times, 5/12/16)

‘Senate Quickly Kicked Off Its Second Round Of Appropriations With A Dual Transportation-HUD And Military Construction-VA Package’
SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “We will [next] turn to transportation, which is chaired by the Senator from Maine, Ms. Collins, and military construction, chaired by Senator Kirk. We are going to bind those two together and move them across the floor.” (Sen. McConnell, Congressional Record, S.2731, 5/12/16)

• “The Senate quickly kicked off its second round of appropriations action with a dual Transportation-HUD and Military Construction-VA package Thursday afternoon, after concluding work on the Energy-Water appropriations measure.” (“Massive Senate Appropriations Bill Lumbers to the Starting Line,” CQ News, 5/12/2016)

(“Massive Senate Appropriations Bill Lumbers to the Starting Line,” CQ News, 5/12/2016) SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME): “I am pleased to begin the Senate debate on the fiscal year 2017 appropriations bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies... This bill targets limited resources to programs that meet our most essential transportation and housing needs. It makes vital investments in our Nation's transportation infrastructure...” (Sen. Collins, Congressional Record, S. 2733, 5/12/2016)

SEN. MARK KIRK (R-IL): “[W]e are bringing up the MILCON-VA appropriations bill today, and I urge its adoption. This year the MILCON-VA bill was the first appropriations bill... We are so proud that we have crafted this bill in an open and collegial way... This bipartisan bill was adopted unanimously by a vote of 30 to 0 in the full Appropriations Committee.” (Sen. Kirk, Congressional Record, S. 2736, 5/12/2016)

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