While Congress writes its own budget, the president's blueprint highlights the administration's priorities. Perry's Energy Department was one of the few to see its budget increased overall. But a number of key programs were also zeroed out. In particular, the administration wants to significantly slash a handful of controversial loan and research programs at DOE. Perry can expect some pushback from lawmakers on that proposal at his hearing. The Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program, the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program, the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program and the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) are widely popular among Democrats -- and with some Republicans. Lawmakers worked to insure funding for those programs last year after Trump sought to zero them out. The administration said the cuts shouldn't be interpreted as a sign that officials don't like the programs. "This biggest reason for that is the accomplishments that these individual programs have made," Mark Menezes, the DOE's undersecretary for science, told reporters when the budget was released. Overall, Trump is proposing a slight increase in the DOE's budget, to $30.6 billion from the $30.1 billion current funding level. Outside of the budget, lawmakers have a busy docket of energy and environment related hearings with both the House and Senate in town. On Monday, a House Interior subcommittee will hold a hearing on the 2017 hurricane season and its impact on the U.S. Virgin Islands. That hearing will be on the island of St. Thomas. On Tuesday, the House Natural Resources Committee marks up 6 bills on national monuments and public lands. That same day a House Appropriations Subcommittee holds a hearing on the fiscal 2019 budget requests for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. Also on Tuesday, a House Energy and Commerce subcommitee holds a hearing on modernizing the Department of Energy, with a focus on legislation to improve cybersecurity and emergency response. Energy Secretary Rick Perry testifies before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Thursday on the administration's budget request. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke testifies before the House Natural Resources panel for an hearing on oversight and the fiscal 2019 budget, also on Thursday. That same day, a House Natural Resources subcommittee holds a hearing on abandoned hardrock mines. Also Thursday, a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee holds a hearing on water resource projects. Recent stories: -EPA hired right-leaning media firm to compile its 'year in review' -Dem mocks Zinke over updated doors: 'Think how many dining sets you could have bought' -Elephant trophy decision faces pushback from some Trump allies -House votes to loosen air pollution rules for some coal plants -GOP rejects Dems' attempt to stop Pruitt's first-class travel -Court denies Trump admin's plea to stop kids' climate lawsuit -Lawmakers propose boosting park funding with oil money -Wildlife groups fear what comes next on elephant trophies -Trump to consider elephant trophy imports on 'case-by-case' basis -Zinke signed order in January making 'acting' directors official |
沒有留言:
張貼留言