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.