Montgomery News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 23, 2023, Congressman David Trone (D-MD), member of the House Committee on Appropriations, released a statement condemning Republicans’ funding cuts to rural communities and vulnerable Americans during the markup of the full Appropriation Committee’s markup of the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee’s Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill:

“It remains abundantly clear that extreme House Republicans are seeking retaliation for the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement by shortchanging America’s clean water and energy security systems.

“Americans depend on clean water and reliable energy to care for themselves and their families. The Republican bill before the subcommittee today jeopardizes a basic, yet fundamental responsibility of government. Without question, it endangers the lives of the more than two million Americans who lack access to running water, indoor plumbing, or wastewater services.

“In Maryland, the Brunswick Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant – which provides over 20% of the city’s drinking water – turns drinking water brown and can barely keep up with demand when it storms. We asked the Republican-led Committee for $7.5 million; they gave us $2 million. 

“The Boonsboro-Keedysville Regional Water System Reservoir is suffering from leaks, significantly impairing its ability to serve the surrounding communities. Right now, the town estimates that it is losing 82,000 gallons of water a day – nearly 30 million gallons a year. We asked the Republican-led Committee for $5 million for the project; they gave us $0.

“Meanwhile, a lock system just over the border in Pennsylvania received $41 million, and a lock in Tennessee received $236 million. You can guess which party those districts’ Members belong to.

“Beyond delivering devastating blows to our communities, Republicans are spending their time going after key climate investments that will ensure our children and grandchildren have a healthy and safe planet to inhabit. Calling it “short-sighted” is a woeful understatement.

“The Republicans’ plan for funding our government is black and white: slash vital programs Americans rely on for political gain. Much like our reservoir in Boonsboro, this legislation doesn’t hold much water.”

Background:

The 2024 funding bill’s notable cuts, rescissions, and repurposing (directing money where money was not legally directed previously):

• Cuts the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account by $466 million or 14% below 2023.
• Includes $5.7 billion in untenable repeals from the Department of Energy’s Inflation Reduction Act programs, including:
  • $4.5 billion from the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program;
  • $1 billion from the Assistance for Latest and Zero Building Energy Code Adoption;
  • $200 million from the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants.
• Relitigates the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) by repurposing:
  • $3.6 billion from the Department of Energy’s IIJA Civil Nuclear Credit Program that help preserve the existing U.S. reactor fleet and save thousands of high-paying jobs across the country; and
  • $84 million from the Corps of Engineers’ IIJA programs.
• Revokes $15 billion in loan authority from the Department of Energy’s Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program—an increasingly successful program that promotes climate-friendly innovation and American manufacturing.
• Intentionally shifts $576 million in domestic funding to defense programs by abandoning prior agreements on funding for certain environmental cleanup activities.

The bill includes partisan riders:

• 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 through the Federal Government.
• Allows for discrimination based on same-sex marriage.
• Prohibits funding related to the Department of Energy’s Justice40 initiative.

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

Original source can be found here.