The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a $37.56 billion Fiscal Year 2018 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill, which included several funding requests by Republican congressional members representing Florida and West Virginia that would protect the environment and support local economies.
Approved by voice vote, the bill now goes to the full House for a vote before heading to the Senate for consideration.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) said his state gained critical funding for project requests he submitted because they were rolled into the approved energy and water appropriations bill.
For example, the bill includes $76.5 million for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration for the Everglades, a total funding package that also covers costs for the Indian River Lagoon and Kissimmee River Restoration projects. Rooney said House appropriators also approved $82 million for the Herbert Hoover Dike project, another of his funding requests.
“I am one of three Florida members who serve on the prestigious Appropriations Committee, one of the most bipartisan committees in Congress,” Rooney said. “Through my work on this committee, I have the opportunity to request funding for Florida-specific projects and bring those tax dollars home to my constituents.”
U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV) also fought to protect the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), through his role on the House Appropriations Committee. The committee voted to fund the ARC program at $130 million for the next fiscal year as part of its approval of the overall energy and water bill.
ARC is an economic development agency that works to advance initiatives that stimulate economic growth in the Appalachian region that crosses 13 states.
“The Appalachian Regional Commission is an outstanding program that makes a difference every day in communities throughout West Virginia. As our state struggles to recover from eight years of devastating economic policies, we need programs like the ARC more than ever,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins added that the energy and water bill includes other important West Virginia priorities, including $6.16 billion in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and $635 million for Fossil Energy Research and Development.
Generally, the House-approved energy and water bill would increase national security, safeguard U.S. nuclear weapons and maintain critical infrastructure as funding priorities, and would provide annual funding for national defense and various programs under the Department of Energy (DOE) and other related agencies.
“National security is our number-one priority, and this bill will fund essential programs that maintain our nuclear deterrence posture in the face of growing global threats – including North Korea and other countries that are testing the tolerance of the international community,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) said Wednesday.
“Further, this legislation will make important investments in our energy development and water infrastructure to keep our economy growing and to continue the country’s lead in essential energy technology and innovation,” said Frelinghuysen.