House Soundly Rejects FY 2017 Energy-Water Spending Bill

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The House on Thursday soundly rejected, 112-305, a $37.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Energy-Water spending measure (HR 5055). The bill is the second FY 2017 spending measure considered by the House.

The conservative Heritage Action for America recommended a vote against the bill because of an amendment.

WOTUS language caught White House attention. President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the latest measure over several policy riders, including language to prevent implementation of the Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule.

The measure got tied up in controversy over political riders about lesbian, gay and transgender issues, as well as a dispute about overall spending levels.

The bill’s defeat came after the House previously adopted two policy riders that clearly upped the odds against the measure. One was an amendment designed to get lawmakers on record about North Carolina’s new law restricting which bathrooms transgender people can use. It was offered by Rep. Robert Pittenge (R-N.C.) and was adopted on a 227-192 vote.

Another thorny amendment. Separately, the House had approved a Democratic amendment aimed at preventing federal contractors from discriminating against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. That amendment offered by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) was approved on a 223-195 vote.

Appropriations chairman comments. “I’m very disappointed that this bill could not clear the House today, but I remain dedicated to working this bill and all other appropriations bills through regular order –- through the committee, through the Congress, and to the president’s desk,” Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said in a statement after the vote. “Today’s result will not stop our process, but is merely a temporary pause.”

Comments: Just what was not needed: more hurdles. And at this early juncture it looks like spending bills ahead will face similar challenges. So much for regular order in this Congress. Expect the same – not much agreement and up the odds for a mega omnibus spending measure.

NOTE: This column is copyrighted material; therefore reproduction or retransmission is prohibited under U.S. copyright laws.