House to Begin Consideration of FY2016 Appropriations Bills on Floor Next Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 27, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — This week the House Appropriations Committee approved by voice vote two fiscal year (FY) 2016 appropriations bills: Energy-Water and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs. Both the Energy-Water and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs bills were funded above their FY2015 enacted levels, with Energy-Water receiving a $1.2 billion increase and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs receiving a $4.6 billion increase.

The Energy-Water Appropriations bill includes funding for regional economic development agencies. The FY2016 bill includes $95 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission (a $5 million increase over current levels), $12 million for the Delta Regional Authority (level funding), $10 million for the Denali Commission (level funding), $3 million for the Northern Border Regional Commission ($2 million below the current level), and $250,000 for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (level funding). The bills are expected to be considered by the House next week. In addition, the committee approved FY2016 spending allocations for all 12 subcommittees laying the groundwork for consideration of additional spending bills in the coming weeks.