U.S. House to Vote on McCollum-led Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill to Reopen EPA, DOI, U.S. Forest Service
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Chair-designate of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, will bring the FY19 $35.9 billion Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill (H.R. 266) to the House floor on Friday, January 11, 2019, at 9:15am for a full vote by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement:
"Democrats are working to reopen the federal government as soon as possible. Passage of H.R. 266 will be another critical step toward completing the unfinished business of the 115th Congress," Rep. McCollum said. "This bill will reopen the EPA, Department of Interior, Indian Health Service, and other important agencies in order to protect and preserve public health and our natural environment. Threats to our national parks and to the health and safety of Americans has now been at risk for nearly three weeks due to President Trump's insistence on funding a border wall. For two years, Republicans controlled Congress and the White House, but did nothing prioritize funding for their wall. Yet now they are holding our government hostage and imperiling federal workers – all for a campaign talking point.
"The workers employed by these federal agencies protect public health and safety and keep our natural places free from damage. Tomorrow, they will be without a paycheck because President Trump and Republicans want to keep the government shut down. With this bill, House Democrats are working hard to end the shutdown and ensure federal workers get paid. It's time for President Trump and Republicans in Congress to step up and do their jobs."
Background:
- House Appropriations Committee Democrats have filed legislation to reopen the federal government and fund the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Service, and other related agencies.
- The legislation is virtually identical to the FY19 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 31-0 vote and was adopted by the full Senate on a 92-6 vote.
- The legislation provides $35.9 billion in discretionary funding, $6 billion above the President's budget request and $300 million above the FY2018 enacted level. The legislation will end the Trump Shutdown for those agencies covered in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill through September 30.
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