This week, the Senate began consideration of its fiscal year (FY) 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. During consideration of the bill, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) offered an amendment to eliminate funding for all federal-state regional commissions. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 71 to 25. Click here (http://www NULL.senate NULL.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm NULL.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00056) to view a vote tally.
The bill totals $37.5 billion, $355 million above the FY2016 enacted level and $261 million above the President’s budget request. The bill includes the following funding allocations for federal-state regional commissions:
- Appalachian Regional Commission: $151 million, $5 million above the FY2016 enacted level and $31 million above the President’s budget request;
- Delta Regional Authority: $25 million, level with the FY2016 amount and $9 million above the President’s budget request;
- Denali Commission: $15 million, $4 million above the FY2016 enacted level and level with the President’s budget request;
- Northern Border Regional Commission: $10 million, $2.5 million above the FY2016 enacted level and $5 million above the President’s request;
- Southeast Crescent Regional Commission: no funding provided.
A final vote on the FY2017 Energy and Water Appropriations bill is expected early next week.