WASHINGTON– Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, issued the following statement regarding the Fiscal Year 2020 Interior Appropriations bill, which was passed out of the subcommittee and now heads to the full committee for consideration: 

“Much of what is in this bill is a result of bipartisanship on issues that matter to our constituents back home, regardless of party. I’m especially proud of the work we have done in this bill on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, reducing harmful algal blooms and eradicating Asian carp.

“However, I remain concerned that the bill strips several bipartisan items enacted in recent years, increases our dependence on foreign energy sources, and provides $1.7 billion above last year’s enacted level despite the absence of any topline budget agreement that begins to tackle our ever-growing national debt.  

“While this is not the bill I would have written, I want to thank Chairwoman Betty McCollum for the way she has led the subcommittee this Congress. We have held more than 15 hearings and briefings which set a productive tone that allows us to agree on most issues and ensures that when we do disagree, we can do so respectfully. 

“I look forward to continuing to address my concerns with this bill as we move forward with the appropriations process, so that our final product can receive bipartisan support, keep the government fully operational, and conserve our nation’s resources that we all care so deeply about.” 

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