Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement following the release of President Obama’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget:
“The President’s budget prioritizes and supports important programs and initiatives that will expand access to affordable health coverage, increase funding for potentially life-saving medical research and combat the threat of climate change. It is also fiscally responsible, adhering to last year’s bipartisan budget agreement.
“The budget expands access to affordable health coverage by funding the Affordable Care Act so that we can ensure that more than 18 million Americans continue to have access to health insurance who would otherwise not have it, and so people with pre-existing conditions do not have to worry about being denied insurance because of their health. It also provides extra incentives to the 19 states who have not yet expanded Medicaid, so that we can fully realize the health coverage potential of the law.
“The budget supports critical medical research, including the President’s $1 billion initiative to eliminate cancer through Vice President Biden’s national ‘Moonshot’ Initiative. The president commits $755 million to new cancer-related research initiatives at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.
“I’m also pleased to see the President’s budget commits $1 billion in new funding over two years to help address our nation’s substance abuse crisis. The budget provides additional resources to expand access to critical treatments and support services to both reach those who have fallen through the cracks before it is too late and provide support to those on a path to recovery.
“I commend the President for once again prioritizing efforts to combat climate change so we can leave a safer and healthier planet for future generations. The President’s budget supports meaningful steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the effects of climate change, including critical funding to help states implement their strategies for meeting the commonsense carbon reduction goals of EPA’s Clean Power Plan.
“The budget supports initiatives that will advance innovative clean energy technologies by doubling the investment in clean energy research and development. This funding is critical to not only help the nation respond to the challenge of climate change, but also help grow the clean energy economy.
“The president also invests in our nation’s aging drinking water infrastructure through State Revolving Funds (SRFs) under the Safe Drinking Water Act so that we can properly address our nation’s drinking water infrastructure needs. No community in the United States, in the 21st Century, should have to endure what Flint is experiencing, and therefore, we should prioritize funding for this important program so that the American people can have confidence that their drinking water is safe. The President’s budget includes over $2 billion for the SRFs drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. These funds are welcome, but far more needs to be done to protect the safe drinking water of our communities.
“I look forward to helping advance these common sense, responsible proposals that will help make us safer and stronger for years to come."
