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“PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3816, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1383 on July 25, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3816, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997
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speech of
HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 24, 1996
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3816) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes:
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the Energy and Water appropriations bill we are voting on today is a mixed bag of good and bad; where a good Peter is robbed to pay a worthy Paul.
On the good side, a reasonable amount has been appropriated for environmental restoration and waste management as well much needed water projects. In addition, a sufficient amount of money has been made available for stewardship and management activities of our nuclear stockpile. Finally, the National Ignition Facility [NIF], which will provide invaluable research in the areas of nuclear weapons testing and fusion research. I am glad that the committee saw the need to fund these activities at levels close to their requested amounts.
In fact, some of these dollars will be going to a flood control project in my district; Harris County is working with the Army Corps. of Engineers to deepen a channel in the city of Houston called Sims Bayou. This long-term project will renovate the bayou and help alleviate some of the flooding which occurs during heavy rains. This is an important project for the people in my district and they appreciate the Federal help they are receiving to correct this problem.
I have always been a supporter of science research and have stated often that it is the economic engine of the 21st century. And it is because of this belief that I am especially gratified to find that the Energy Department's general science and research programs have been spared the budget ax that some other deserving programs suffered.
However, beneath this good news lurks some very negative decisions made by Republicans. Let's start with the nearly 50 percent cut from last year to the Energy Department's administrative expenses. Now, I know the Department is in the process of restructuring itself and trying to become more efficient, however, I believe this to be a continuation of the Republican attack on Secretary Hazel O'Leary. Regardless of who you are, you cannot convince me that an immediate 50 percent reduction in an organization's administrative budget is not drastic and unreasonable. This is all the more obscene when you realize that because of the time it takes to RIF Government employees and the costs involved, no savings from such actions will be realized until fiscal year 1998--a year away. So, I ask the Republican appropriators--
``what is the Department to do until then?''
In addition to this ill-conceived provision, this appropriations bill also decimates much of the funding for solar and renewable energy, fusion, nuclear energy, biological, environmental, safety, and health and basic energy sciences. In fact, the only activities that are adequately funded are those of the Defense Nuclear programs.
While I may indeed vote in favor of this bill, I strongly urge my House and Senate colleagues to restore funding to the activities and programs that have been funded well below the President's request. I believe that they are worthwhile, valuable and important to our Nation's future.
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