House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus Summary – Agriculture Appropriations Funding is prioritized to programs that support American farmers and ranchers, sustain food and drug safety efforts The Omnibus includes the Agriculture Appropriations bill that prioritizes funding to support American farmers and ranchers, including agriculture production, promotion, research, and marketing programs, which will help build upon the estimated $140.9 billion in U.S. agricultural exports this past fiscal year – the highest level on record. These exports support more than one million American jobs, and are essential to the nation’s continued economic growth. In addition, the bill funds important programs such as rural development, food and drug safety, and nutrition. In total, the bill provides $20.9 billion in discretionary funding – $350 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – while cutting back lower-priority programs and rescinding unused funds. Agricultural Research – The bill provides $2.6 billion for agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This includes $316 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, the nation’s premiere competitive agricultural research grant program. This funding will support research to help stop and mitigate devastating crop diseases, and improve food safety and water quality, placing priority on drought, invasive species, and herbicide resistance issues. The bill also maintains responsible investments in the nation’s land-grant colleges and universities. Animal and Plant Health – The legislation includes $821.7 million – equal to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This funding will provide support for programs to help control or eradicate plant and animal pests and diseases that can be crippling to U.S. producers and entire agricultural industries. In addition to base funding, the bill provides APHIS with one-time funding of $20 million to fight citrus greening, a disease that threatens the $13 billion citrus industry in the U.S. Farm Service Agency (FSA) – The legislation provides $1.5 billion for FSA, which is equal to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will support the various farm, conservation, loan, and emergency programs for American farmers and ranchers, including loan authorizations in excess of $5.5 billion for farm ownership, farm operating, conservation and emergency loans. Rural Development – The bill provides a total of $2.4 billion for rural development programs, which is $180 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. These programs help create an environment for economic growth by supporting basic infrastructure, providing loans to increase opportunities for rural businesses and industries, and helping balance the playing field in rural housing markets. Food Safety and Inspection – The legislation includes more than $1 billion for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, $19 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. These mandatory inspection activities help ensure the safety and productivity of the country’s $832 billion meat and poultry industry, and keep safe, healthy food on American tables. The funding provided will maintain more than 8,000 frontline inspection personnel for meat, poultry, and egg products at more than 6,200 facilities across the country. The legislation also restricts the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from implementing certain regulations that would allow harmful government interference in the private market for the livestock and poultry industry. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – The FDA receives a total of almost $2.6 billion in discretionary funding in the bill, an increase of $91 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Total funding for the FDA, including revenue from user fees, is $4.4 billion. In addition to these amounts, the bill provides $85 million to restore the loss of funds due to OMB’s sequester of FDA user fees. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) – Included in the bill is $215 million for the CFTC, which is $100 million below the President’s budget request. Conservation Programs – The bill provides $826 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service – virtually the same as the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – to help farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners conserve and protect their land. This includes $12 million in conservation funding for dam rehabilitation to help rural communities ensure their small watershed projects meet current safety standards. Food and Nutrition Programs – The legislation contains discretionary funding, as well as mandatory funding required by law, for food and nutrition programs within the Department of Agriculture. This includes funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Child Nutrition programs. WIC – This program provides supplemental nutritional foods needed by pregnant and nursing mothers, babies and young children. The bill provides full funding for WIC at $6.7 billion – $153 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – including the replenishment of the contingency reserve. This level will ensure all eligible participants will be served. Child nutrition programs – The bill provides for $19.3 billion in required mandatory funding – which is outside the discretionary funding jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee – for child nutrition programs. Of this amount, $25 million is directed to help schools purchase needed equipment to operate the program. This funding will provide for an estimated 5.6 billion free or reduced-price school lunches and snacks for 32.1 million children who qualify for the program. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – The bill provides for $82.2 billion in required mandatory spending – which is outside the discretionary funding jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee – for SNAP. This program provides food assistance to more than 47 million Americans on average every month. International Food Programs – The legislation contains $1.47 billion for “Food for Peace” grants, also known as the P.L. 480 – Title II program. This is $32 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill does not reflect the President’s budget request to move this program to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In addition, the legislation provides $185.1 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food Program that uses donated U.S. commodities to support education, child development, and food security. Savings and Oversight – The legislation includes several provisions to reduce spending and increase oversight of taxpayer dollars. Some of these provisions include: Oversight and monitoring requirements for the WIC program, including a directive for the Secretary of Agriculture to increase oversight of vendors to help rein in food costs; A provision requiring USDA to submit a plan for reducing high error rates and improper payments in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; Requirements for the Secretary of Agriculture to help weed out and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the SNAP program – including a directive to ban fraudulent vendors, and a prohibition on advertisements or outreach with foreign governments; Cuts to lower-priority programs, including a $49 million cut to biofuels programs and the elimination of the Pesticide Recordkeeping Program; and Rescissions of unused funding, including $270 million in the Department of Agriculture. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Legislation targets funding to law enforcement programs to keep our citizens safe, boosts our economic competitiveness, and scales back lower-priority programs The Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations portion of the Omnibus prioritizes funding for law enforcement efforts to help keep America and its citizens safe, and to bring those who break our laws to justice. The bill also funds programs that will help boost our economy, promote U.S. innovation, and provide critical weather information, while also making reductions in other, lower-priority areas. In total, this legislation includes $51.6 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. In addition, the legislation includes several important policy items, such as provisions to ensure the sanctity of life, to protect Second Amendment rights, and to prevent terrorists currently detained at Guantanamo Bay from being transferred to or housed within the United States. Department of Justice (DOJ) – The bill funds DOJ at $27.4 billion, an increase of $338 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This level will support continuation of critical investigation, law enforcement, and prosecution activities at DOJ to protect the safety and wellbeing of communities across the country, and to help ensure law-breakers are brought to justice and detained in secure correctional institutions. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – The bill includes $8.3 billion for the FBI, $232 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Priority is given to counter-terrorism activities, programs that combat the growing threat of cyber-intrusion, meeting increased demand for National Instant Criminal Background Checks, and agent hiring. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – DEA is funded at $2.4 billion in the bill, an increase of $21 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes $361 million for regulatory and enforcement efforts to combat prescription drug abuse, which is offset by fee collections. In addition, DEA will receive a $10 million transfer from the COPS program to assist states and communities with methamphetamine lab cleanups. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – The legislation contains $1.18 billion for ATF, $47 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. U.S. Marshals Service – The Marshals Service is funded at $2.7 billion in the bill, including $1.19 billion for salaries and expenses, and $1.5 billion for federal prisoner detention. The agency total is a reduction of $72 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level as a result of reduced estimates for federal detention requirements. Federal Prison System – The Bureau of Prisons is funded at $6.9 billion, an increase of $79 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will maintain staffing levels to ensure safe and secure facilities to house the nation’s federal prisoner population, and will continue activation of new prisons. Grant Programs – The bill includes a total of $2.2 billion for various state and local grant programs, $32 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes increases for the highest-priority national programs, and reductions for lower-priority programs. Some highlights include: $417 million for Violence Against Women programs; $376 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants; $180 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program; $67 million for missing and exploited children programs; and $75 million for a new Comprehensive School Safety Initiative. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – NASA is funded at $17.6 billion in the bill, an increase of $120 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within this total, $4.1 billion is provided for Exploration, including funding to keep NASA on schedule for upcoming Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and Space Launch System flight program milestones. Department of Commerce – The bill includes $8.2 billion for the Commerce Department – an increase of $113 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes: Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) – The bill provides $3 billion for the PTO, which is the estimated amount of fees to be collected by the PTO during fiscal year 2014 – an increase of $91 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill also maintains a provision that makes available to PTO any fees collected in excess of estimates, subject to congressional approval. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – NIST is funded at $850 million, which is $41 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within this total, important core research activities are funded to help advance U.S. competitiveness, innovation, and economic growth. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – The legislation contains $5.3 billion for NOAA, which is $310 million above the base fiscal year 2013 enacted level, excluding supplemental funding. This includes funding for the National Weather Service to provide critical weather information to the public, and for various weather satellites essential to maintaining and improving weather forecasts and warnings. National Science Foundation (NSF) – The legislation funds NSF at $7.2 billion, a decrease of $82 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding is targeted to programs that help strengthen U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness, including funding for an advanced manufacturing science initiative, and for research in cybersecurity and cyberinfrastructure. Policy Provisions – The bill continues several general provisions on important policy items, such as: A prohibition on the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S. A prohibition on the construction or acquisition of facilities in the U.S. for the detention or imprisonment of Guantanamo detainees. Provisions to protect Second Amendment rights, including prohibitions on various import or export criteria related to firearms. Provisions to protect life, such as language regarding abortion and federal prisoners, and restrictions on using funds by Legal Services Corporation grantees to participate in abortion-related litigation. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Department of Defense Appropriations Bill makes smart choices to strengthen our national security and military readiness, provides our troops with the resources they need, and holds the line on spending The Omnibus legislation contains the fiscal year 2014 Defense Appropriations bill, providing funding to advance our nation’s security, military readiness, and support for our troops at home and abroad. It also exempts medically retired military personnel and survivor benefit plan annuitants from the military retirement compensation reform made as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. In total, the Defense portion of the Omnibus is $486.9 billion, virtually the same as the current operating level. This meets spending caps set in the Ryan-Murray budget agreement and denies the extreme cuts that would have occurred under the next round of sequestration – which would have had dire repercussions for our national defense. The funding in the bill will support important DoD programs and projects, a pay raise for our troops, and a high level of military readiness. Medically Retired Military Personnel Pension “Fix” – The legislation amends the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (the “Ryan-Murray Agreement”) to exempt medically retired personnel (known as Chapter 61 retirees) and survivor benefit plan annuitants from the temporarily reduced COLA provision. This will ensure that those who sacrificed the most in military service do not see any reduction in benefits as a result of the military retirement compensation reform that was included in the Ryan-Murray Agreement. Ongoing Military Operations – The bill contains $85.2 billion for ongoing military operations in Afghanistan. This is a reduction of $2 billion compared to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will provide the needed resources for our troops in the field, including funding for personnel requirements, operational needs, the purchase of new aircraft to replace combat losses, combat vehicle safety modifications, and maintenance of facilities and equipment. Military Personnel and Pay – The legislation includes $128.8 billion to provide for 1,361,400 active-duty troops and 833,700 reserves. This funding level is $1.3 billion above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill fully funds the one percent pay raise for the military, as requested by the President. Defense Health and Military Family Programs – The bill contains $32.7 billion – the same as the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – for the Defense Health Program to provide care for our troops, military families, and retirees. Several important health programs receive increases above the President’s request, including increases of $256 million for cancer research, $125 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological health research, and $20 million for suicide prevention outreach programs. Operation and Maintenance – Included in the legislation is $160 billion for operation and maintenance –$13.6 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within this amount, priority is placed on funding for key areas such as essential readiness programs to prepare our troops for combat and peacetime missions, flight time and battle training, equipment and facility maintenance, and base operations. This also includes $447 million for Cyber Command, $157 million for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs, and an additional $25 million to expand the Sexual Assault Victims’ Counsel program to all the military services. Research and Development – The bill contains $63.0 billion – $6.9 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – for research, development, test, and evaluation of new defense technologies. This basic and applied research, system development, and testing will help to advance the safety and success of current and future military operations and will help prepare our nation to meet a broad range of potential security threats. Equipment Procurement – The legislation provides a total of $92.9 billion – $7.5 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level– for equipment and upgrades. This funding is necessary to ensure our nation’s military readiness, and will provide the necessary platforms, weapons, and other equipment our forces need to train and maintain our force and to conduct successful operations. Guantanamo Bay – The legislation prohibits funding for transfers of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. or its territories, prohibits funding to modify any facility in the U.S. to house detainees, and places conditions on the release of detainees to other countries. These provisions are similar to language contained in the fiscal year 2013 Defense Appropriations legislation. Savings and Reductions to President’s Request – The bill reflects common-sense decisions to save taxpayer dollars where possible in areas that will not affect the safety or success of our troops and missions. Some of these reductions include: $867 million for Working Capital Fund excess cash balances; $1.5 billion for overstatement of civilian FTE targets; $380 million for revised economic assumptions; and $2.0 billion in savings from rescissions of unused prior-year funding. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Energy and Water Appropriations Bill realigns funding toward critical security and infrastructure efforts The Energy and Water Subcommittee portion of the Omnibus realigns funding priorities toward nuclear weapons activities critical to national security and important infrastructure programs. In all, the legislation includes a total of approximately $34 billion – an increase of $777 million above the enacted 2013 level. National Security – The bill provides a total of $11.2 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the safety, security, and readiness of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. Within this funding is $7.8 billion for Weapons Activities, an increase of $268 million (3.5%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $874 million (12.5%) compared to the sequestration level. This critical national defense funding will uphold the nation’s nuclear deterrence posture, and modernize aging weapons systems and infrastructure. The amount for Weapons Activities includes $537 million as requested to extend the life of the B61 nuclear bomb.. Army Corps of Engineers – The Army Corps of Engineers is funded at $5.5 billion, an increase of $487 million (10%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill focuses funding on navigation and flood control to advance public safety, boost U.S. export ability, create jobs, and help ensure our waterways stay open for business. Within the total, the bill provides: - $642 million above the request for essential flood control and navigation projects; $2.3 billion for navigation projects and studies; More than $1 billion in funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund; $1.6 billion for public health and flood and storm damage reduction activities – including $247 million for critical dam safety improvements. Energy Programs – The bill provides $10.2 billion for energy programs within the Department of Energy (DOE) – a $620 million increase above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – to support energy programs that encourage U.S. economic competitiveness and help advance the nation’s goal of an all-of-the-above solution to energy independence. This includes: - - - $562 million for research and development to advance coal, natural gas, oil, and other fossil energy technologies, an increase of $28 million (5.3%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $141 million (34%) above the President’s request, to help the country make better use of our domestic resources and reduce energy costs; $889 million for nuclear energy research and development, an increase of $36 million (5%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $154 million (21%) above the President’s request, to further the next generation of nuclear power while ensuring the safety and longevity of our current plants; $1.9 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs – placing priority on advanced manufacturing and weatherization assistance. This funding will make responsible investments in effective and proven programs, while holding the line on irresponsible increases in other areas. This total is $874 million – or 32% – below the President’s request. Science Research – The bill includes $5.1 billion for science research, an increase of $195 million (4%) above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will help strengthen innovation and advance future American competitiveness by supporting basic energy research, development of high-performance computing systems, and research into the next generation of clean energy sources. Within this amount, the bill restores many of the cuts to the fusion energy program that the President had proposed. This basic research will lay the groundwork for more efficient and practical domestic energy solutions to help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and help promote future growth in American businesses and industries. Department of the Interior – The legislation contains $1.1 billion – $44 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – for the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Reclamation. This funding is intended to help manage, develop, and protect the water resources of western states. Policy Items – The legislation includes several significant policy provisions to protect American interests and rein in Administration overreach. These provisions include: - A prohibition on funding for the Administration’s onerous “light bulb” standard, which prevents incandescent bulbs from being manufactured or sold, despite a continued public desire for these products; A provision prohibiting funds for the Army Corps to change the definition of “fill material,” which could have harmful effects on many U.S. industries; and A continuation of prior-year funding for Yucca Mountain to maintain its viability for future use and to finish its third safety evaluation report. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Financial Services Appropriations Bill limits funding and increases oversight of the IRS, invests in programs to help small businesses The Financial Services portion of the Omnibus funds the Treasury Department, the Federal Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and various independent agencies. The bill limits funding for the IRS and regulatory agencies while targeting funds to programs that will help small businesses and our economy thrive. The bill totals $21.8 billion in discretionary funding – $603 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – The bill maintains the majority of the sequestration funding cuts for the IRS, providing a total of $11.3 billion – $526 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This bring the bill down to below fiscal year 2009 appropriation levels. Within this amount, $92 million in IRS funding is set aside to improve taxpayer services and address refund fraud, identity theft, and overseas compliance. The bill includes no additional funding for ObamaCare. To help curb potential illegal and unethical activities at the IRS, the bill prohibits funds to target groups for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological beliefs or to target citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights. The legislation also requires extensive reporting on IRS spending, training, and bonuses, and prohibits funding for inappropriate videos. General Services Administration (GSA) – The bill allows the GSA to spend $9.4 billion out of the Federal Buildings Fund – $1.3 billion over the fiscal year 2013 level and a $581 million reduction compared to the President’s request. The legislation includes strong oversight measures for the GSA, including: requiring extensive new reporting on the GSA property inventory, spending, training, and bonuses; and increasing transparency by restructuring GSA accounts to separate administrative costs from program funds. Small Business Administration (SBA) – The bill contains $929 million for the SBA, a reduction of $116 million from the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Small businesses are the drivers of the American economy, and SBA loans and entrepreneurial development programs play an important part in helping small businesses start and grow. To this end, the bill fully funds business loans at $263 million. Due to a reduction in loan subsidy rates, this level is $222 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, but is sufficient to support expected loan demand. The bill fully funds disaster loan implementation costs at $192 million to allow for a quick and efficient emergency loan process when unexpected natural disasters strike individuals and small businesses. Judiciary – The bill includes $6.5 billion for the Federal Courts, which is equal to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and consistent with their latest estimate of needs. This will provide funding for all federal court activities, the supervision of offenders and defendants living in our communities, the maintenance of court security, and the timely processing of federal cases. District of Columbia – The bill contains a $673 million federal payment to the District of Columbia – $2.2 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within this amount, the bill targets resources on public safety and security costs – including $232.8 million for DC Courts and $226.5 million for criminal offender supervision. The legislation also includes $48 million for school improvement. This includes $16 million, which is $13.8 million above the request and the Senate level, for scholarships to low-income students in DC to attend private schools. In addition, the legislation maintains a longstanding provision prohibiting federal and local funds from being used for abortion in the District of Columbia. The legislation does not include Senate language to allow DC budget autonomy. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – The bill includes $1.35 billion for the SEC, which is $29 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $324 million below the budget request and the Senate bill. The legislation also rescinds $25 million from the SEC “reserve fund” – a slush fund for SEC programs that have congressional oversight. In addition, $44 million of the total is designated for the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis to improve the use of economic analysis in the Commission’s rule-making process. Treasury Terrorism and Financial Intelligence – The bill provides $102 million for terrorism and financial intelligence activities, including sanctions enforcement. This is $2 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $4.2 million above the budget request. Other Legislative Provisions – The legislation contains several policy provisions, including: A prohibition on the use of funds for abortion under the federal employees health benefits program; A pay freeze for the Vice President and senior political appointees; A prohibition on funding to require that entities bidding for federal contracts disclose campaign contributions; A prohibition on the use of funds for painting portraits; and Additional reporting requirements to increase transparency of the activities of agencies whose funding jurisdiction fall outside annual congressional review, including the Office of Financial Stability and the Office of Financial Research. ##### 1 House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Homeland Security Appropriations Funding for critical security and law enforcement programs is prioritized, overhead costs are cut Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus is targeted toward critical security and law enforcement efforts to ensure that our nation and our people remain safe, and that the laws of the land are strongly enforced. This includes priority funding for frontline security operations – including all operational, counterterrorism, and threat-targeting activities, and the acquisition of essential tactical resources. The bill also reflects responsible choices to save taxpayer dollars by reducing overhead costs and cutting funding for lower-priority programs. In total, the bill provides $39.3 billion in discretionary funding for DHS, a reduction of $336 million compared to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – The bill contains $10.6 billion for CBP, an increase of $110.6 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will allow for the highest operational force levels in history – 21,370 Border Patrol agents and 24,800 CBP officers – including an increase of 2,000 additional CBP officers slated for the nation’s busiest ports of entry. The amount includes increases for CBP’s threat-targeting systems for needed improvements identified following the Boston Marathon attacks, such as enhancements to aid the identification of known and suspected terrorists and criminals. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – The bill provides $5.3 billion for ICE, $164 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level but approximately $120 million above the sequester level. This includes $1.8 billion for both domestic and international investigation programs, including increases above the President’s request to combat human trafficking, child exploitation, cyber-crime, and drug smuggling, and to bolster visa overstay enforcement. The bill also contains $2.8 billion for ICE detention programs, including funding to sustain the statutorily mandated 34,000 detention beds – the highest detention capacity in history. Additionally, the bill fully funds E-Verify, a program that helps companies check if their employees may legally work in the United States, at $114 million, and prohibits funds for the ICE public advocate or similar position. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – The TSA is funded at $4.9 billion – a decrease of $225 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes funding for security enforcement, cargo inspections, intelligence functions, and Federal Flight Deck Officers, and increases for canine detention teams and privatized screening operations. Additionally, the bill continues to reform passenger screening operations by capping full-time screening personnel at 46,000, reducing TSA’s federal screener workforce, and supporting TSA’s shift to more risk-based screening. Cybersecurity – The bill includes a total of $792 million for cybersecurity operations, which is $35.5 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will sustain improvements to the Federal Network Security program to help blunt cyber-attacks and foreign espionage. 2 Coast Guard – The bill includes $10.2 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard – a decrease of $211 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $463 million above the President’s request. The bill sustains military pay and allowances, and denies the President’s proposed cuts that would have gutted vital Coast Guard operations. Targeted increases are provided for: cutter and aviation operating hours, training, and maintenance; acquisition of the seventh National Security Cutter (NSC) and long-lead time material for the eighth NSC; six Fast Response Cutter (FRC) patrol boats; an additional C-130J aircraft; and urgently needed upgrades to family housing. The bill also allows the Coast Guard to receive a transfer of 14 C-27J maritime patrol aircraft from the Air Force. Secret Service – The bill includes $1.6 billion for the U.S. Secret Service – a decrease of $27 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level due to savings from reduced operations after presidential elections. The bill increases funding for cybersecurity investigations, rejects the President’s proposed cuts to critical Secret Service staffing, and continues funding for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which the President proposed to zero out. Federal Emergency Management Agency – The bill allows $6.2 billion for disaster relief – fully funding FEMA’s stated requirement. The bill also provides a total of $2.5 billion for first responder grants, $39 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, including: $1.5 billion for State and Local grants, $680 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants, and $350 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants. Additionally, the bill includes a House amendment that delays certain premium increases in the National Flood Insurance Program. Research and Development – The bill includes $1.2 billion for Science and Technology, $302 million below the President’s request and $307 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This level sustains investment in high-priority research and development efforts that will advance the nation’s security, including $404 million in funding for the construction of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). Overhead Costs and Oversight – Overall, the bill cuts the budget of DHS by $376 million compared to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes a reduction of $42.8 million in administrative overhead costs, and the denial of construction funding for three new headquarters buildings. The legislation also requires that DHS submit comprehensive spending plans to Congress – 31 in all – to increase transparency and congressional and public oversight over the use of taxpayer dollars. Funding Restrictions and Policy Provisions – The bill continues a prohibition on the transfer or release detainees from Guantanamo Bay, and includes numerous other restrictions to prevent waste and abuse. Some of these provisions include: a restriction on another “Fast and Furious” type program, extensive reporting requirements for DHS’s procurement and usage of ammunition, and limitations and reporting requirements on spending for conferences and ceremonies. The bill also includes provisions to require CBP to better address wait times and staffing, and to work with private industry stakeholders to improve travel and trade efficiency. ##### 1 House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Interior & Environment Appropriations Legislation will provide funds to fight wildfires, promote domestic energy production, and keep national parks open, while scaling back EPA’s regulatory overreach The Interior and Environment portion of the Omnibus prioritizes funding to address the nation’s most important public lands issues, including fighting and preventing wildfires and maintaining our vast natural resources. Domestic energy production is also prioritized – with additional funding for onshore and offshore energy and minerals management, and by preventing the Administration from imposing new fees on the energy industry. Overall, the legislation provides $30.1 billion for Interior and Environment programs, $231 million over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill also includes several policy provisions to help rein in regulatory overreach that costs jobs and hinders economic growth, including provisions that prohibit the EPA from unnecessarily tying up businesses and industries in harmful, bureaucratic red tape. Wildfire Fighting and Prevention – In total, the bill provides $3.9 billion for wildfire fighting and prevention programs within the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. This level will fully address wildland fire operations for the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service at the 10-year average level, and fully reimburse the agencies for all fire-borrowing in fiscal year 2013. In addition, the bill provides $452 million for hazardous fuels reduction activities, which is $150 million above the President’s budget request. Domestic Energy Production – The bill helps to encourage domestic energy production to further the nation’s goal of energy independence and to reduce energy costs for consumers. For example, the legislation: Rejects Administration and Senate proposals to impose new fees on onshore oil and gas producers; Rejects a Senate proposal to increase review periods of Outer Continental Shelf leases, which could slow energy production and increase costs; Provides $150 million for the Office of Surface Mining, including $69 million in state grants to allow states to implement their programs without increasing fees on the mining industry; Allows higher rates of pay for petroleum engineers and technicians to encourage hiring and increase the speed of permits processing. National Park Service (NPS) – The bill provides $2.6 billion for the National Park Service, an increase of $28.5 million over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This will allow every national park to remain open and operational throughout fiscal year 2014 without the threat of closure or employee furloughs, and provide for the hiring of seasonal employees. 2 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – The bill provides $8.2 billion for the EPA, which is $143 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Overall, EPA funding has been reduced by $2.1 billion – or 20.4% – since Republicans gained control of the House in 2010. Within the EPA, the bill: Rejects a request by the President for $72 million for EPA regulatory programs, including $31 million for EPA climate regulatory programs, $18 million for EPA’s regulatory development office, and $23 million for EPA water regulatory programs; Provides $2.35 billion in grants to states for local drinking water and sewer construction projects through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; Funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million – the full requested level. The agreement also includes several policy provisions to rein in the EPA and prevent unnecessary overregulation of American businesses and industries that kill jobs and slow economic growth. Some of these include: A provision to exempt livestock producers from overly burdensome EPA greenhouse gas regulations; A provision requiring the Administration to report to Congress on federal agency obligations and expenditures on climate change programs; A provision requiring the EPA to resolve differences with states and industry on regional haze issues; and A provision to enhance congressional oversight of EPA’s review of mining permits. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – The BLM is funded at $1.1 billion – $7 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – to provide for the effective stewardship of the nation’s vast public lands. The legislation also seeks to protect American ranchers from unnecessary red tape and increased costs that would harm their livelihoods, including: Blocking Administration and Senate proposals to charge $6.5 million in new grazing fees on BLM and Forest Service lands; Extending the authority to renew grazing permits administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service; Allowing the trailing of livestock across public lands during fiscal years 2014 and 2015; and Providing $79 million for Range Management, a $3 million increase above the FY13 postsequester level, to reduce the backlog of grazing permit applications. U.S. Forest Service – The bill provides $5.5 billion for the Forest Service – which includes increases in funding for wildfire fighting and management. The legislation also includes a provision to require the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to report on actions to preserve and improve access to public lands for hunting, fishing, shooting, and other recreational activities. American Indian and Alaska Native Programs –The bill helps to meet the nation’s treaty obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives by providing funding for health care, law enforcement, and education. The legislation funds the Indian Health Service at $4.3 billion – $78 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education at $2.5 billion – $18 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) – The FWS is funded at $1.4 billion, $32 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within the total, the bill provides: $1 million to compensate ranchers for 3 livestock killed by wolves; $2 million to stop the spread of invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels in the West; $3.5 million to stop the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes; and $15 million for a conservation program to prevent greater sage-grouse from becoming an Endangered Species. The legislation also continues funding for effective state wildlife grant programs and includes a provision to ensure national fish hatcheries remain open. Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) – PILT has been a mandatory program under the jurisdiction of authorizing committees since fiscal year 2008. The Committee has been provided assurances that PILT payments for fiscal year 2014 will be addressed expeditiously by the appropriate authorizing committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate. ##### 1 House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill halts new funding and slices into existing funds for ObamaCare, targets investments to disease prevention and research The Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education portion of the Omnibus includes $156.8 billion in discretionary funding, which is $100 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, and approximately $9 billion below the President’s budget request for these programs. The bill halts any new funding for ObamaCare – and goes even further by slicing into existing ObamaCare funding – to prevent the unnecessary spending of taxpayer dollars on this flawed law. The legislation also seeks to focus tax dollars on programs that are critical to the health and well-being of Americans, including disease prevention and research programs and bio-defense efforts. ObamaCare – The bill provides no new funding for ObamaCare, and holds the line on ObamaCare funding in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – the prime agency responsible for its implementation. In addition, the bill slices into existing ObamaCare funding, including: - Reducing the Prevention and Public Health “slush” Fund by $1 billion to prevent the Secretary of HHS from raiding these funds for ObamaCare exchanges; Reducing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), created by ObamaCare, by $10 million; and Continuing restrictions on using federal grant money to lobby, which will stop HHS from directing taxpayer money to lobbying efforts for ObamaCare. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – The legislation includes $3.7 billion for CMS management and operations, which is equal to the level put in place by the sequester and $195 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Additionally, the bill provides $305 million for CMS to allow for the timely processing and payment of benefits, and the continuation of essential services for the increasing number of Americans who rely on traditional Medicare programs. These additional funds are prohibited from being used for ObamaCare. Biodefense - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – The legislation includes a program level of $6.9 billion for the CDC, $567 million above the fiscal year 2013 program level. This includes: - $30 million to support the Advanced Molecular Detection initiative to enhance CDC’s ability to find and stop deadly infectious disease outbreaks; $160 million for the Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant, which allows each state to address its most critical public health needs; $1.3 billion for Public Health Preparedness and Response to help ensure the readiness of the Strategic National Stockpile, and provide ample resources for State and Local Preparedness programs. These 2 - critical programs provide supplies and resources for a quick and effective response in the event of a bioterror attack or pandemic disease emergency; and $255 million – $5 million above the request – for Project BioShield to support biodefense efforts. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – The bill includes $29.9 billion for the NIH, $1 billion above the fiscal year 2013 level. This funding will continue support for basic bio-medical research and translational research through the programs like the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) and Institutional Development Award (IDeA) to support scientists as they conduct research to discover cures. Further, it provides full support for the NIH Office of Science Education and programs like the Science Education and Partnership Awards (SEPA) to support bio-medical research for the future. Social Security Administration (SSA) – The bill includes $11.7 billion to administer SSA activities, which is a $265 million increase above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This level is sufficient to allow the SSA to continue prompt processing of Social Security checks and claims, and will help ensure that all eligible recipients get their benefits on time and in the proper amount. Within the total, the bill devotes $1.2 billion to program integrity activities to ensure that disability and other benefits are properly paid. Protecting Life – The bill continues several provisions to protect life, including a ban on funding for any needle exchange programs, and continuations of all longstanding restrictions on abortion funding that have been included in the legislation in prior years. Some of these include: - A provision to prevent HHS from discriminating against health care providers who refuse to provide, pay for, or refer for abortions; A ban on federal funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or endangerment of the life of the mother ; A ban on creating embryos for research purposes, or federal funding of research in which embryos are destroyed; and An increase in funding for abstinence education to $5 million. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – The bill provides $30.9 billion for ACF, which is $782 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill restores cuts caused by sequestration by providing $3.4 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program, and $8.6 billion for Head Start. In addition, the legislation includes $2.3 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, and $710 million for the Community Services Block Grant program. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) – The bill funds SAMHSA at $3.6 billion, which is a $144 million increase over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes $75 million for criminal justice activities, including drug courts. The Substance Abuse Block Grant is funded at $1.8 billion, a $110 million increase over the fiscal year 2013 post-sequester level. Administration for Community Living (ACL) – The bill provides $1.6 billion for the ACL – $54 million over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – to fund programs for the elderly and the disabled. This includes a $41 million increase for the elderly nutrition programs, including the Home-Delivered Meals (“Meals on Wheels”) program. Department of Education – The bill funds the Department of Education at $70.6 billion. This is $739 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Title I Program – These basic grants to local school districts that aim to help children become proficient in reading and math are funded at $14.4 billion, an increase of $629 million above the 2013 post-sequestration level. 3 Pell Grants – As per existing statute, the maximum Pell Grant award is increased to $5,730, funded by a combination of discretionary and mandatory funds. This funding increase is outside of the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee. Special Education – Special Education grants to states are funded at $11.5 billion in the legislation – $498 million above the 2013 post-sequestration level. School Safety – The bill includes $90 million for grants to improve school safety. No Funding for Newly-Proposed Administration Initiatives – The bill denies the Administration’s Preschool Development Grants and Race to the Top College Affordability programs. Instead, the bill makes targeted investments in an existing program for states to improve access to high-quality, early childhood education. Department of Labor (DoL) – The bill provides $12 billion for the Department of Labor, a cut of $449 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding includes: - $10.4 billion for the Employment Training Administration – a decrease of $562 million from the fiscal year 2013 enacted level; $1.7 billion for the Office of Job Corps – $14 million less than the fiscal year 2013 enacted level but approximately $75 million above the sequester level – to help unemployed, young Americans receive education, job training, and employment assistance; $269.5 million for Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) – $5.1 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, including $14 million for the Transition Assistance Program to help new veterans receive training for civilian employment and job search assistance; and $375.9 million for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), virtually equal to fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $4.8 million below the President’s budget request. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) – The bill includes $274.2 million for the NLRB – a decrease of $4 million below last year’s level and $10.8 million below the President’s budget request. In addition, the legislation continues a provision intended to stop the NLRB’s harmful anti-business regulations related to the implementation of “e-Card Check,” which could promote coercion in union elections. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill cuts spending, maintains lower levels for House Operations, and provides for the safety and accessibility of the Nation’s Capitol The Legislative Branch portion of the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus holds the line on spending – virtually maintaining the sequestration funding levels for the House of Representatives – while providing important investments to keep our Capitol safe, functional, and accessible to the thousands who work and visit the Capitol complex every day. In total, the bill provides $4.2 billion in discretionary funding for the Legislative Branch – a decrease of $19 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. House Operations – The bill contains $1.2 billion to fund the operations of the House – virtually maintaining the level put into place by sequestration. This account provides funding for Members’ Representational Allowances (MRAs), which funds leadership, Member, and committee office expenses, as well as operating costs for officers of the House. This ensures that offices have the resources needed to serve the people they represent. Capitol Police – The bill funds the Capitol Police at $338 million, equal to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding level supports 1,775 sworn officers and 370 civilian workers who provide critical safety and security functions for all Members, staff, and visitors of the Capitol Complex. Architect of the Capitol (AoC) – The legislation provides $602 million for the AoC, which is $40 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill will fund essential projects that protect and promote the safety and health of those who visit and work in the Capitol Complex, including deferred maintenance projects. This also includes $16 million in funding to continue the next phase of the Capitol Dome restoration project, and $70 million for the Historic Buildings Trust Fund to maintain historically significant structures within the Capitol Complex. Library of Congress (LoC) – The legislation provides $579 million for the Library of Congress, a decrease of $8 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This includes funding for LoC personnel salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service, collections for the blind and physically handicapped, and other LoC programs and operations. Government Accountability Office (GAO) – The bill contains $505 million in funding for the GAO, the same as the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding level is sufficient to continue the essential work of the GAO to provide Congress with accurate, nonpartisan reporting of how taxpayer dollars are spent. Government Printing Office (GPO) – The legislation includes $119 million for GPO, the same as the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The legislation continues reductions to congressional printing and binding services, and implements limitations on delivery of documents to individual Member offices in order to reduce excess costs and the waste of both taxpayer dollars and paper and other materials. ##### 1 House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Military Construction/Veterans Affairs Appropriations Legislation includes funding for key infrastructure projects and veterans claims processing The fiscal year 2014 Omnibus includes funding for key military infrastructure projects to support our troops and their families at home and abroad. It also includes increased funding to meet our obligations to our nation’s veterans – including helping to reduce the claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Military Construction/Veterans Affairs portion of the Omnibus discretionary total is $73.3 billion – $1.4 billion above the enacted fiscal year 2013 level. However, the bill also seeks to save taxpayer dollars wherever possible, without impacting critical programs for our military or veterans. For example, the legislation includes rescissions of unused, unobligated funds from previous years, and does not provide funding for several proposed military construction projects that are not justified at this time. Military Construction – The bill provides $9.8 billion for military construction projects – a decrease of $817 million below the enacted fiscal year 2013 level. These programs include large and small construction and rehabilitation projects on military bases in the U.S. and overseas that support our troops and their families. Military Family Housing – The bill provides $1.5 billion to fund construction, operation, and maintenance of military family housing for fiscal year 2014. This is $133 million below the enacted fiscal year 2013 level, a result of savings from the privatization of family housing. The funding will ensure quality housing is continued for 1,231,044 military families whose loved ones are serving the country. Military Medical Facilities – The bill includes $796 million for construction and alterations for new or existing military medical facilities. These facilities support and care for 9.8 million eligible beneficiaries, including our wounded troops abroad. Department of Defense (DoD) Education Facilities – The bill includes $798 million for essential safety improvements and infrastructure work at 17 DoD Education Activities facilities located within the U.S. and overseas. This funding will help address health, safety, and efficiency problems at these facilities for military children and families. Guard and Reserve – The bill includes $665.8 million for construction or alteration of Guard and Reserve facilities in 25 states. 2 Veterans Affairs (VA) – The legislation includes a total of $147.9 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This funding will help provide our nation’s veterans with the services and care they have earned from their dedicated service to the country. Discretionary funding for VA programs in the agreement is $63.2 billion – $2.3 billion above the enacted fiscal year 2013 level. VA Medical Services – The agreement funds VA medical services at $43.6 billion – providing for approximately 6.5 million patients to be treated in fiscal year 2014. Some of these funds include: $7.2 billion in mental health care services; $103 million in suicide prevention activities; $246 million for traumatic brain injury treatment; $6.2 billion in homeless veterans treatment, services, housing, and job training; and $250 million in rural health initiatives. DoD-VA Electronic Health Record – The agreement ensures that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are developing electronic health records that will seamlessly transfer medical information between the two agencies, providing $323 million for these efforts within the VA. The legislation also includes language to ensure the VA creates a truly interoperable, working system – in a timely and cost-effective fashion – to help prevent unnecessary mistakes or delays in veterans’ medical care. Disability Claims Processing Backlog – The legislation includes a major crosscutting initiative that will help the VA meet its goal of ending the disability compensation claims backlog by 2015. This includes: - $140 million – an increase of $20 million above the President’s request and $26 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level – for information technology upgrades at regional offices to manage the improved paperless claims processing system; $90 million for potential overtime, and $10 million for additional training for claims processors; $88 million – a $13 million increase above the President’s request – for the Board of Veterans Appeals to address the growing appeals backlog; Provisions directing audits to assess performance and rigorous public monthly reporting requirements to track the performance of each regional office on claims processing. Construction – Minor Construction within the VA is funded at $715 million – the same as the President’s request and $108 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This will allow the VA to make progress on hundreds of projects, including the construction or renovation of health clinics and nursing homes. In addition, the agreement provides an additional $85 million for nonrecurring maintenance for medical facilities beyond the $710 million already provided in advance for fiscal year 2014. VA Mandatory Funding – The agreement fulfills mandatory funding requirements such as: veteran disability compensation programs for 4.2 million veterans and their survivors; post-9-11 GI bill education benefits for more than 764,000 veterans; and vocational rehabilitation and employment training for more than 175,000 veterans. Oversight – The legislation includes provisions to increase oversight of taxpayer dollars at the VA, including requiring the agency to report on construction expenditures and savings, forbidding changes in the scope of construction projects, and restricting the agency from taking certain spending actions without notifying Congress. 3 Advance Appropriations for Veterans Medical Programs – The agreement contains $55.6 billion in advance fiscal year 2015 funding for the VA – the same level provided in the House budget resolution. This funding will provide for medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities, and ensure that our veterans have continued, full access to their medical care. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill will help ensure the safety of American diplomats and facilities abroad, support security and stability efforts in the Middle East, and provide critical humanitarian assistance The State and Foreign Operations portion of the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus contains funding to support American interests, diplomatic operations, and humanitarian assistance abroad. In total, the legislation provides $49 billion in discretionary funding – $4.3 billion less than the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within the total, the bill provides full funding for embassy security – plus additional funds for upgrades of temporary missions, such as Benghazi – to prevent and protect against future terrorist attacks, unrest, and other acts of violence. The bill also provides funding to support security and stability in the Middle East – including for our key allies such as Israel and Jordan and the frontline states of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. For Afghanistan, the bill provides the resources needed for diplomats and development experts to operate safely, but scales back assistance programs to a more sustainable level as U.S. armed forces drawdown during 2014. In addition, contingency funding is included for other areas of conflict and emerging crises, such as Syria and Africa. In addition, the bill prioritizes global health, humanitarian, and democracy promotion programs – while reducing funding in other lower-priority areas – to advance American interests around the globe and to fulfill the nation’s moral obligation to those in dire need. International Security Assistance – The bill provides a total of $8.5 billion in base and contingency funding for international security assistance. This includes funds for international narcotics control, anti-terrorism programs, nonproliferation programs, peacekeeping operations, and other critical international security and stabilization efforts. It also provides funds to support ongoing counter-narcotics and law enforcement efforts in Mexico, Colombia, and Central America. In addition, the legislation provides security assistance to key allies, including fully funding the $3.1 billion commitment to the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding. Export and Investment Programs – The bill supports continued operations of the ExportImport Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. The legislation also includes a provision to prohibit the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Export-Import Bank from blocking coal-fired or other power-generation projects that increase the export of U.S. goods or services or prevent the loss of U.S. jobs. International Monetary Fund (IMF) – The bill provides no funds for the IMF. State Department Operations and Related Agencies – The bill contains a total of $15.7 billion in base and contingency funding for operational costs of the State Department and related agencies – a decrease of $2.4 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $1 billion less than the request. Within this total, the legislation provides $5.4 billion – $25 million above the amount requested – for embassy security costs relating to the protection of personnel and facilities. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Operations – The bill contains $1.3 billion for USAID operations, a reduction of $215 million from the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within this total, $91 million is provided for contingency funding for USAID operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and for the USAID Inspector General to conduct appropriate and rigorous oversight of U.S. taxpayer dollars in those countries. Bilateral Assistance – The legislation contains a total of $22.1 billion in base and contingency funding for bilateral assistance to foreign countries – a decrease of $1 billion from the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Within this amount, programs that support global health and humanitarian assistance are prioritized, including life-saving international HIV/AIDS programs, which are funded at the full requested levels. Funding Prohibitions – The bill seeks to promote good government and rein in unnecessary spending by prohibiting or eliminating funding for a variety of projects and activities. Some include: A prohibition on funding for the renovation of UN Headquarters in New York; A prohibition on appropriations for a new London embassy; Providing no funding or authorities for debt relief for foreign countries; A prohibition on funding to move the Vatican embassy unless certain conditions are met to maintain its importance and authority; o A prohibition on aid to Libya until the Secretary of State confirms Libyan cooperation in the Benghazi investigation; o A prohibition on funding to implement the UN Arms Trade Treaty; and o Providing no funding for assessed and voluntary contributions for the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). o o o o Other Important Policy and Oversight Provisions – The bill includes other important policy provisions to ensure the respect for life around the globe and to enhance the oversight, transparency and accountability of foreign assistance. For example, the bill: Maintains longstanding pro-life riders, including the “Tiahrt Amendment,” which ensures family planning programs are voluntary; the “Helms Amendment,” which bans foreign aid from being spent on abortions; and the “Kemp-Kasten Amendment,” which prohibits funds to organizations the President determines to support coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. It also prohibits Peace Corps funds from being used for abortions. Retains language withholding funds dollar-for-dollar from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) if they operate a program in China. Withholds funds for the Government of Afghanistan until certain conditions are met, including having a signed Bilateral Security Agreement and safeguards being in place to ensure that U.S. assistance is not taxed. It also withholds a portion of funds until proper security is in place for implementers of USAID and State Department programs. In addition, the legislation strengthens requirements on the rights of Afghan women and girls and combatting corruption. Allows requested funds to be provided to Egypt if certain conditions are met – including maintaining the strategic relationship with the United States, upholding the peace treaty with Israel, and meeting milestones Egyptians have set for their political transition. Palestinian Authority – The legislation stops economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority if the Palestinians obtain membership to the United Nations or UN agencies without an agreement with Israel. In addition, the bill puts new restrictions on aid if the Palestinians pursue actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court. New language is included to ensure that the Palestinian Authority is taking action to counter incitement of violence. ##### House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/ FY 2014 Omnibus – Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Legislation includes funding for vital transportation infrastructure investments and maintains housing programs for low-income families and veterans The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) portion of the Omnibus prioritizes funding for transportation projects and programs that are essential to growing the nation’s economy and commerce, as well as for programs that support the housing needs of our most vulnerable citizens. The legislation balances these needs with spending reductions in lowerpriority programs, including cuts to accounts in both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The reasonable adjustments in this bill streamline these Departments by making long overdue reductions to ensure funding is available for more critical programs like staffing the nation’s busy airports, maintaining roads and bridges, and providing housing assistance for low-income families and veterans. In total, the bill provides $50.8 billion in discretionary funding, a decrease of $961 million compared to the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill does not include funding for any new programs proposed by the Senate or the Administration. Transportation – The bill includes $17.8 billion in discretionary appropriations and allows $53.5 billion in non-discretionary “obligation limitation” funding for the Department of Transportation. This is $164 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and $4.9 billion below the President’s request. Highways – The bill provides almost $41 billion in obligation limitation funding for the Federal Highway program – the same level authorized in the MAP-21 transportation authorization legislation, which expires on September 30, 2014. This is an increase of $557 million from the fiscal year 2013 level. Air – Included in the legislation is $12.4 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), $168 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This funding will support the full operations of the air traffic control system, including the hiring and training of air traffic controllers and safety inspectors to ensure that facilities are fully staffed to serve the nation’s flying public. The bill preserves funding for FAA’s Next Generation air transportation systems (NextGen) – investments that will help ease future congestion and reduce delays for travelers in U.S. airspace. In addition, $3.35 billion in “obligation limitation” funding is provided for airport construction projects. The bill also rejects the Administration’s proposals for new passenger facility fees. o War Risk Insurance - The bill extends war risk insurance for U.S. air carriers through September 30, 2014. This program insures airlines against catastrophic losses due to terrorism or other acts of war. The extension will allow time for Congress to consider a longer-term reauthorization of this program. Rail – The Federal Railroad Administration is funded at $1.6 billion, a decrease of $34.6 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill expands oversight and includes policy reforms for Amtrak to ensure the best use of tax dollars – such as requiring overtime limits on Amtrak employees to reduce unnecessary costs, and prohibiting federal funding for routes where Amtrak offers a discount of 50% or more off normal, peak fares. No funding is provided for High Speed Rail. Transit – The bill contains $2.15 billion for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), a decrease of $100 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The legislation also allows $8.6 billion in state and local transit grant funding from the Mass Transit Account (of the Highway Trust Fund), consistent with MAP-21, to help local communities build, maintain, and ensure the safety of their mass transit systems. The legislation provides a total of $2.1 billion for Capital Investment Grants (“New Starts”), full funding for state and local “Small Starts,” and funding for all current “Full Funding Grant Agreement” projects. These programs provide competitive grant funding for major transit capital investments, including rapid rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail, that are planned and operated by local communities. Safety – The legislation contains funding for the various transportation safety programs and agencies within the Department of Transportation. This includes $819 million in both mandatory and discretionary funding for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an increase of $8.9 million over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level; and $585 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an increase of $24 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. Also included is a $12.8 million increase over the fiscal year 2013 level for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – The legislation includes a total of $32.8 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a decrease of $687 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill does not contain funding for any new, unauthorized “sustainable,” “livable,” or “green” community development programs, and includes provisions to streamline and reduce costs of housing voucher programs to save taxpayer dollars. Section 8 and Public Housing – Included in the bill is $26.3 billion for Public and Indian Housing. This is an increase of $411 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, and is $1.5 billion below the President’s request. Within this total, the bill provides funding to continue assistance to 2.2 million families served by the Housing Choice Voucher program. The bill also fully funds the President’s request for 10,000 new veterans’ housing vouchers at $75 million. Housing Programs – Housing programs are funded at $10.5 billion, $561 million above fiscal year 2013’s enacted level and $381 million below the President’s request. Within this total, the bill provides $126 million for housing for the disabled and $383.5 million for housing for the elderly. Community Planning and Development – The bill contains $6.6 billion for Community Planning and Development programs – a cut of $145 million below last year’s level. The Community Development Block Grant formula program is funded at slightly over $3 billion, $82 million above the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. #####