"House Panel Approves Energy Spending Bill"

"The House Appropriations Committee approved a $34 billion spending bill for the Department of Energy (DOE) and Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday.

The energy and water bill, which funds programs under the direction of DOE and the corps for fiscal year 2015,  also contains a number of controversial environmental riders.

The legislation authored by Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) passed on a voice vote with few changes from the version unveiled earlier this month by the GOP.

Overall, the bill, a $50 million reduction from last year's funding levels, is an increase over President Obama's request for 2015. It would boost the coal industry by limiting Environmental Protection Agency rules."

Laura Barron-Lopez reports for The Hill June 18, 2014.