Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

House Rules Committee
H-313 Capitol

02/10/2023 at 04:00PM

The Committee on Rules will meet Monday, October 2, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET in H-313, The Capitol on the following measures:

  • H.R. 4394 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
  • H.R. 4364 – Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2024

Text of H.R. 4394 (as reported)

H. Rept. 118-126, Report from the Committee on Appropriations to accompany H.R. 4394

The nondefense allocation in this bill is $5.4 billion, or 22 percent, lower than last year’s effective level. Specifically, the bill cuts the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account by $466 million. That imperils our nation’s imperative to become energy independent here at home in perpetuity. In addition, the bill repeals over $5 billion for critical energy programs from the Inflation Reduction Act that would have helped American families save money on their monthly energy bills. This bill provides only $88 million for the WaterSMART program, a reduction of $98 million, 53 percent lower than last year’s enacted level. Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation works cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities to conserve our water supply and enhance the resilience of the West to drought and climate change. The bill allows firearms on Corps of Engineers’ lands; includes a new title of controversial California water provisions that mandates the use of environmentally harmful water management plans and advances controversial California dam proposals; prohibits funding related to critical race theory; prohibits funding related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the federal workforce; prohibits funding related to advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities; and could even allow for discrimination based on same-sex marriage. Additional concerning riders include blocking energy efficiency standards, prohibiting the Corps of Engineers from renaming items that commemorate the Confederacy, and funding prohibitions with unintended programmatic implications.