What is the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Services?

 "This subcommittee provides funds for telemedicine, Head Start, State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), E-Learning programs to rural residents, Social Security, Pell Grants, nursing education for Montana hospitals, and all other health and education related programs.  In total, the subcommittee has jurisdiction over more than $600 billion in funding and approximately 39% of all federal spending" (Rehberg, n.d.). 

 What happens to items approved or denied by the committee?

According to M. Seligman, Legislative Director, the Appropriations Subcommittee does not vote on any bills themselves.  They manage money that is related to bills that have already been placed into law by the House of Representative, Senate, and the President (personal communication, April 2, 2012).

Committee Members

Republicans

Denny Rehberg, Montana, Chairman
Jerry Lewis, California
Jack Kingston, Georgia
Kay Granger, Texas
Michael K. Simpson, Idaho
Rodney Alexander, Louisiana
Jeff Flake, Arizona
                                         Cynthia M. Lummis, Wyoming 

 

Democrats

Nita M. Lowey, New York
Rosa L. DeLauro, Connecticut
Lucille Roybal-Allard, California
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Illinois
Barbara Lee, California



(The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, n.d.)

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Ranking Minority Member and Their Duties

Chairman

Denny Rehberg (E. Jones, personal communication, March 31, 2012).  

Duties include:  In charge of committee meetings, establishing goals, setting action plans, planning meetings, and delegating jobs to other committee members (S. Sweeney, personal communication, April 17, 2012). 

Vice-Chairman

Rodney Alexander (E. Jones, personal communication, March 31, 2012).  

Duties include:  Assists chairman with any duties needed, stand in as chairman if the original chairman is unavailable, and also holds any committee meetings that involve discussions regarding the original chairman (C. Abel, personal communication, April 17, 2012). 

Ranking Minority Member

Rosa DeLauro (E. Jones, personal communication, March 31, 2012).  

Duties include:   According to an anonymous spokesperson in Rosa DeLauro's office, this committee member "serves as a full serving member of the committee but also corales the Democratic party and makes sure the opinions of the Democrats are heard" (personal communication, April 17. 2012).

Vacancies Within This Committee

There are currently no vacancies within this committee (E. Jones, personal communication, April 2, 2012).

A Health Care Bill the Committee is Considering and the Status of Bill.

The Appropriations Sub-Committee only works on one bill per year. In December 2011, HR2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 was voted into effect.  The Appropriations Sub-Committee is responsible for separating out the expenditures of this bill.

HR2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2012 

HR 2055 was first introduced on May 30, 2011.  It was passed by the House on June 14, 2011, then by the Senate on July 19, 2011.  President Obama signed the bill on December 22, 2011 (OpenCongress, n.d.).

"This package of legislation provides critical funds for national security, one of the most basic responsibilities of the federal government. This includes funding for our multiple-fronted military engagements, resources to advance the safety and success of our troops on the ground, benefits and programs for our veterans and active military and their families, and homeland security efforts to protect our borders and our communities" (House Appropriations Committee, 2011, p. 1). 

"The legislation also prevents a potential government shutdown and supports important domestic programs and services the American people rely on, while making hard but necessary cuts to help reduce the nation’s deficit. In addition, the bill includes several significant policy items to help rein in government overreach and put our economy on more stable footing" (House Appropriations Committee, 2011, p. 1). 

Although HR2055 included money to be distributed in many different areas, part of the budget was set aside for Health and Human Services, a total of $69.7 billion.  This amount was then divided between Health Resources and Services Administration ($6.5 billion), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ($6.1 billion), National Institutes of Health ($30.7 billion), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration ($3.9 billion), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ($3.9 billion), Administration for Children and Families ($29.2 billion), and Abstinence Education ($5 million) (House Appropriations Committee, 2011).

Member of the Subcommittee and Their Opinion on the Bill

 Jerry Lewis was one of the 147 Republicans that voted to pass HR2055.


During a press release the day the Bill was passed, Lewis was noted to say  "Over the past two budget cycles, we have reduced discretionary spending by $95 billion -- showing that Congress is beginning to get the federal budget on the right track after four years of runaway spending. I am proud to say that this appropriations bill also keeps our priorities straight -- ensuring we provide vital support to those defending our nation, and to the veterans who deserve our respect and appreciation" (J. Lewis, 2011).

How Would I Vote on the Bill?

HR 2055 was not actually a health care bill in itself, but included parts of health care in the distribution of the budget.  I would have voted to pass this bill, and agree with the amount allocated to each area under Health and Human Services.  One area that I specifically agree with was the amount given to Administration for Children and Families, with $8 billion given for Head Start ($424 million above last year's budget).  Providing an early beginning for under privileged children is often the key to them finishing their education in the long run.  I also like the amount provided to Abstinence Education.  The bill includes $5 million for abstinence education programs. "No funding was included for this program last year, nor was it included in the President’s budget request" (House Appropriations Committee, 2011, p. 10).  

References

House Appropriations Committee. (2011).   Summary: Fiscal Year 2012 Final Consolidated Appropriations Bill.  Retrieved on April 12, 2012 from http://appropriations.house.gov/UploadedFiles/12.14.11_Final_FY_2012_Appropriations_Legislation_-_Detailed_Summary.pdf

Lewis, J. (2011, December 16).   House passes appropriations bill that supports veterans and national security, reduces federal spending [Press release].  Retrieved from http://www.votesmart.org/public-statement/660866/house-passes-appropriations-bill-that-supports-veterans-and-national-security-reduces-federal-spending

House Passes Appropriations Bill that Supports Veterans and National Security, Reduces Federal Spending

OpenCongress. (n.d.). H.R.2055.  Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from  http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h2055/show

Rehberg, D. (n.d.).  Montana's Congressman Denny Rehberg:  Committees.  Retrieved on March 28, 2012 from http://rehberg.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=14&sectiontree=3,14  

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. (n.d.). Labor, health and human services, education, and related agencies. Retrieved on February 6, 2012 from http://appropriations.house.gov/About/Members/LaborHealthEducation.htm 


U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. (2011).  Committee rules.  Retrieved on February 6, 2012 from http://appropriations.house.gov/UploadedFiles/HOUSE_APPROPRIATIONS_COMMITTEE_RULES_FOR_112TH_CONGRESS.pdf 

U.S. House of Representatives. (n.d.).  House strikes down another unsustainable part of the intrusive health care law.  Retrieved on February 6, 2012 from http://alexander.house.gov/press-releases-statements/house-strikes-down-another-unsustainable-part-of-the-intrusive-health-care-law/