Carper Statement on Omnibus Funding Bill

Ranking Member: “This bill shows that standing up and speaking out has an impact”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the following statement on the omnibus funding bill that passed the Senate today by a vote of 79-18.

Below is a chart highlighting the significant changes made to funding levels to programs within EPW’s jurisdiction in the omnibus, as compared to the president’s “skinny budget” released in February.

“Back in February, President Trump released his so-called ‘skinny budget,’ in which he proposed reckless cuts to decimate programs put in place to protect public health and our environment. Today, the Senate has passed a funding bill that looks very different from that dangerous proposal. The bill approved overwhelmingly by this chamber today is a responsible compromise that funds our government for the remainder of the fiscal year and continues to fund the programs that keep families across this country safe from polluted air, contaminated water and toxic chemicals. I am pleased that members on both sides of the aisle could reach a reasonable agreement that allows our scientists and environmental experts to continue doing their important work.

“Since the release of the president’s ‘skinny budget,’ millions of Americans have made their voices heard. They spoke out at town halls, they called their representatives, they organized in their communities and they marched in Washington, D.C. and across the country to say loud and clear that we won’t go silently into the night. Some have wondered if these efforts would translate into results. I think that this bill shows that standing up and speaking out has an impact.

“But this is only the beginning. The president is expected to release his full budget proposal this month and there will be another spending showdown in September. Today’s bill was a good pre-season victory, but we must continue speaking up and keep this momentum going in order to get a win in the fall.”

 Program

In President Trump’s  “Skinny Budget”

In FY 2017 Spending Bill

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

$5.7 billion (31% cut from FY17 CR levels)

$8.06 billion

EPA Staff Levels

Cuts 3,200 full-time employees (currently 15,000)

Protects current staff levels

Climate Change Programs

Eliminated

$103 million

EPA State & Tribal Grants

$597 million (44% cut from FY17 CR levels)

$1.066 billion

Chesapeake Bay Funding

Eliminated

$73 million

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Eliminated

$300 million

USDA Water & Wastewater Loan and Grant Program

Eliminated

$500 million

EPA Enforcement Activities

$419 million (24% cut from FY17 CR levels)

$545 million

Superfund

$762 million (30% cut from FY17 CR levels)

$1.088 billion

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

$4.73 billion (17% cut from FY17 CR levels)

$5.7 billion

US Army Corps of Engineers

$5 billion ($1 billion cut from FY17 CR levels)

$6.038 billion

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants

Eliminated

$500 million

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Eliminated

$276 million

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