House approves energy and water bill, including contentious riders.
The House Passes $57 Billion Appropriations Bill, Setting Up Funding Battle with White House
The House of Representatives passed a nearly $57 billion appropriations bill on Thursday to fund various departments and agencies, including Energy and Interior. This sets the stage for a contentious funding battle with the White House, as a government shutdown looms on November 17.
The bill, known as the Energy and Water appropriations bill, was approved in a 210-199 vote after a day of intense debate and consideration of amendments. It is the fifth appropriations bill to pass the House.
Targeting Biden’s Climate and Energy Priorities
This bill, which falls approximately $7.5 billion short of the White House’s budget request, includes several spending cuts that directly impact the Biden administration’s climate and energy goals. This was highlighted on Thursday when an amendment to defund the administration’s recently launched Climate Corps was added to the bill.
Initially, the amendment failed, but it was able to pass after some representatives corrected their accidental votes and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) did not participate in the second vote.
Praise and Pushback
Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) of the Appropriations Subcommittee commended the bill for its allocation of funds towards nuclear energy, including bolstering the National Nuclear Security Administration and domestic uranium production.
However, Democrats criticized the bill, arguing that it does not do enough to address climate change while burdening taxpayers with the cost of disaster relief. Subcommittee ranking member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) expressed her objections to the bill’s cuts to nuclear nonproliferation programs and what Democrats referred to as “poison pills.”
“I must express that the energy and water appropriations bill before us is completely inadequate and does not meet our country’s needs in this new era of climate change,” Kaptur stated.
Policy Riders and Veto Threat
The bill contains several policy riders that target the executive branch’s regulatory framework. Notably, it takes aim at the Biden administration’s energy efficiency regulations and programs, particularly those issued by the Department of Energy for new household appliances entering the market. Amendments were adopted to defund the DOE’s conservation standards for appliances such as commercial ice makers, gas furnaces, and air conditioners.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions that Democrats consider “poison pills,” blocking funds for initiatives related to environmental justice and critical race theory. The chamber passed a measure prohibiting funds for the DOE Office of Scientific Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
President Joe Biden has already threatened to veto the bill, citing its failure to meet the spending levels agreed upon in the debt limit deal between the White House and House Republicans, as well as the inclusion of riders that have drawn criticism from Democrats.
Next Steps
The House still needs to pass seven more appropriations bills, while the Senate must pass all 12 of theirs. Once both chambers have passed all 12 bills, they will enter into conference to reconcile any differences between the two versions.
How does the passage of the appropriations bill set up a potential funding battle between Congress and the White House?
L Nuclear Security Administration and supporting advanced nuclear energy technologies. He also praised the bill for its investments in water resources, including funding for infrastructure and water storage projects.
However, the bill faced criticism from Democrats who argued that it falls short in addressing climate change and investing in renewable energy. Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) expressed disappointment that the bill did not include enough funding for clean energy research and development, stating that it missed an opportunity to advance the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy.
Potential Government Shutdown
The passage of this appropriations bill sets up a potential funding battle between Congress and the White House. With a government shutdown deadline looming on November 17, negotiations and compromises are necessary to avoid a lapse in funding and the subsequent disruption of government operations.
Both parties will need to find common ground and make compromises to reach a funding agreement that addresses the priorities and concerns of both sides. The White House’s budget request and the House appropriations bill represent different visions and priorities, making it a challenging task.
If a consensus cannot be reached, a government shutdown would have significant implications for various sectors and agencies. Essential services could be impacted, federal employees may be furloughed or forced to work without pay, and government contracts and programs could be put on hold.
The Path Forward
As the appropriations bill moves to the Senate for consideration, the battle for funding will continue. Senate Democrats face challenges in securing support for their priorities, as they have a narrow majority that requires unanimous support from their caucus.
Meanwhile, the White House will play a crucial role in negotiations, as they will need to engage with Congress to find common ground and reach a mutual agreement on funding priorities. President Biden has expressed his commitment to passing a robust budget that supports his administration’s climate and energy goals, but compromises may be necessary to garner support from both sides of the aisle.
Ultimately, the funding battle will require a delicate balance of compromise and negotiation to avoid a government shutdown and ensure the continuation of essential services. Both sides will need to prioritize the greater good and work together to fund critical departments and agencies while addressing the nation’s pressing economic and environmental challenges. The upcoming weeks will determine the outcome of this funding battle and the impact it will have on the government and the American people.
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