WASHINGTON- House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rep. Norm Dicks made the following comments regarding the Committee’s decision not to convene a Full Committee Markup for the FY13 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill:

“Last week Chairman Rehberg revealed his draft of the Labor, HHS, Education bill, a bill that carries the brunt of the discretionary budget cuts contained in the Ryan Budget.  The bill proposed by the chairman - when adjusted for inflation and population growth - would bring funding back to levels not seen since 2001. Once again, the Republican leadership decision to renege on agreed upon levels set in the Budget Control Act hinders this Committee’s work.

"The bill is also loaded down with numerous controversial partisan riders that have no place on an appropriations bill. This is by far the most partisan appropriations bill we have seen this year and a stark departure from the bipartisan cooperation we’ve experienced up until this point.

“Just 1 week after proposing this irresponsible legislation it appears that the Full Committee Markup has been indefinitely postponed. Members will not have the opportunity to offer amendments to repair any of the egregious cuts or remove the litany of riders in the bill.

“I had hoped that the Appropriations Committee would remain a safe haven from the partisan gridlock that has characterized this Congress.  I would remind my Republican colleagues that we are sent here by our constituents to get our work done and make the tough calls. There is simply no excuse for not holding a markup on this important bill.

“I frequently commend Chairman Rogers for the progress he has made in this year’s appropriations bills. He has certainly made significant strides toward bringing this Committee back to regular order. However, the absence of the Labor, HHS, Education markup will be a glaring omission to that progress and further highlights the desperate need for bipartisan leadership and cooperation on this vital subcommittee.”

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