WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chair of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding the committee’s approval of the FY2016 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill and the FY2016 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill this week.

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was glad to vote for these two important pieces of legislation,” said Senator Capito. “I am especially pleased that FY2016 Interior and Environment appropriations bill addresses the EPA’s aggressive overregulation. Much of West Virginia has been impacted negatively by this administration’s energy regulations, and this bill seeks to address these detrimental actions through funding decisions and policy changes.”

Highlights of the FY2016 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – The bill provides $7.6 billion for EPA, $538.8 million below the FY2015 enacted level. Funding for core EPA regulatory programs is reduced by $57.1 million while on-the-ground cleanup programs receive a $21.5 million increase. This funding level is intended to return the agency to its core mission of cleaning up environmental problems instead of writing costly rules.

The bill does the following to stop EPA executive overreach:

  • Prohibits the EPA from forcing federal plans on states that do not support the Obama Administration’s onerous greenhouse gas regulations.
  • Prohibits the EPA Waters of the United States rule.
  • Prohibits the EPA from lowering the ozone standard until 85 percent of counties in non-compliance with the current standard come into compliance.
  • Prohibits the EPA from requiring duplicative financial surety rules on the mining industry.
  • Continues to prohibit the EPA from regulating certain types of ammunition and fishing tackle.

 

Highlights of the FY2016 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill:

 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – The bill provides $47.09 billion for DHS, $765 million above the FY2015 enacted level and $1.02 billion below the president’s budget request, to fund DHS missions including border security, transportation security, immigration enforcement, and cybersecurity, among others.

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – The bill includes $7.37 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund, of which $6.71 billion is pursuant to the Budget Control Act. The bill includes robust support for state and local first responders and emergency management personnel.

 

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – The bill contains $10.33 billion for USCG, an increase of $496 million above the FY2015 enacted level.