June 24, 1977
Page 20827
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, the bill before us today, H.R. 7554, would provide $67.6 billion in fiscal 1978 funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Veterans' Administration, NASA, EPA, other independent agencies, and revenue sharing for State and local governments. As reported to the Senate, H.R. 7554 is within the spending constraints imposed by the first budget resolution, and I intend to support this bill.
Under section 302(b) of the Budget Act, the Appropriations Committee divides among its subcommittees the total budget authority and outlays allocated to it under the budget resolution. This bill, as reported, is under the subcommittee's section 302 (b) allocation and is generally consistent with the first budget resolution targets.
The HUD-Independent Agencies Subcommittee's allocation under section 302(b) totals $76.5 billion in budget authority and $46.1 billion in outlays. Enactment of H.R. 7554 as reported would leave room within the subcommittee's allocation for further appropriations of $8.9 billion in budget authority and $1.4 billion in outlays.
A number of supplemental claims can be anticipated, however, that will reduce this budget margin in the months ahead.
Substantial funding assumed in the budget resolution for EPA has not been included. Additional funding requirements for EPA construction grants and agency operating expenses could. total $4.7 billion in budget authority and $200 million in outlays for fiscal 1978. Cost-of-living increases for veterans' benefits allowed for in the budget resolution and other increases for veterans' programs that are expected could require supplementals totaling $1.8 billion in budget authority and $1.5 billion in outlays. Should current economic assumptions prove to be optimistic, another $200 million in budget authority and outlays may be needed for countercyclical revenue sharing. A later supplemental may be needed for disaster relief of $200 million in budget authority and $100 million in outlays.
Taking all these possibilities into account, there is still $2.0 billion of room left in the subcommittee's budget authority allocation. However, outlay estimates are much tighter. If all these supplementals come to pass, total outlays would exceed the subcommittee allocation by $600 million. I urge my colleagues to keep this situation in mind as floor amendments are considered. Also, Senators should be aware that the totals in the House-passed bill are substantially higher than in the Senate-reported bill, by $2.6 billion in budget authority and $0.7 billion in outlays. I hope that Senate conferees will do their best to keep the conference agreement near the Senate figures to preserve necessary flexibility for consideration of future spending requirements.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a table listing these possible later requirements be inserted in the RECORD at this point.
[Table omitted]
The HUD-Independent agencies bill affects spending in 12 different budget categories. Based on the bill as reported and possible later requirements, potential spending is within the budget authority targets for all these functions.
The distinguished chairman of the full Appropriations Committee has assured me that his committee intends to stay within its overall allocation under the first budget resolution, including supplemental requirements known at this time. I applaud his commitment and encourage the committee and all my colleagues to maintain the discipline exhibited thus far. I greatly appreciate the subcommittee reporting this bill, H.R. 7554, consistent with the congressional budget, and I will gladly vote in favor of the bill.