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I want to thank the chair for presenting the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill.
Chair DeLauro unveils this bill today as the leader of our full committee and the subcommittee.
I know she has worked extremely hard to have the opportunity to hold both of these positions, and I have great respect for her dedication to these issues.
I also want to thank Mr. Cole, who serves as both the vice ranking member of the full committee and the ranking member of this subcommittee.
I appreciate Tom's ability to find common ground when it is necessary, but also to clearly highlight when the parties disagree.
I need to begin my remarks today by noting concerns that he and I share about this year's Labor-HHS bill.
This bill, like several other bills we have seen brought before this committee, is based on a topline funding level that only the majority party has agreed to.
WASHINGTON – Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills for the subcommittees on Interior and Environment and State and Foreign Operations. Committee Republicans were unable to support the bills due to the total spending level and controversial policy provisions that are in the bills.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
First, I want to thank Chairwoman Lee and Ranking Member Rogers for their work on this State and Foreign Operations bill.
I want to also thank the chair for including the full amount for Israel - $3.3 billion. Full funding makes it clear that the members of this committee are steadfast supporters of our great ally and partner.
Funding was also maintained at the current level for other key partners in the Middle East, such as Egypt and Jordan.
I hope the chair will work with us to ensure that the conditions on aid to Egypt do not prevent funding from reaching one of our most reliable partners in the region.
Unfortunately, there are many troubling issues with this bill.
This bill is based on a topline funding level that only the Majority Party has agreed to.
First, I want to recognize Chairwoman Pingree and Ranking Member Joyce for their work on putting this Interior and Environment bill together.
As a result of their efforts, this bill addresses priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the conservation of our natural resources.
Even though the bill funds many shared priorities, I have concerns about our path forward.
The bill eliminates several long-standing, common-sense provisions that have had bipartisan support for many years.
Instead, the bill includes controversial provisions that would limit domestic energy, timber, and mineral production.
I am also concerned about the level of spending proposed. Numerous agencies in this bill would receive double-digit percentage increases.
The Environmental Protection Agency is one example, and it is funded at an unprecedented level.
