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Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

I want to thank you and Ranking Member Rogers for your work on the State and Foreign Operations bill for fiscal year 2022.

Unfortunately, this bill, like all of the ones we have marked up so far, is based on a topline funding level that only the Majority Party has agreed to.

We must work together to come up with spending levels we can all support.

We also must agree to drop controversial policy provisions. This bill contains some of the most troubling items yet, and I will address those specifically later in my remarks.

First, there are some areas where we agree, and I want to highlight those.

I want to 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.

I want to congratulate the chair on presenting this Interior and Environment bill today, her first as subcommittee chair.

I also want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Joyce, for his continued leadership on this subcommittee.

As a result of the chair and ranking member's efforts together, this bill addresses priorities for Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the conservation of our natural resources.

The bill prioritizes funding to maintain our national parks and supports efforts to stop the trafficking of endangered species.

In addition, the bill helps local communities across the country with education, health, and safety needs, particularly in Indian Country.

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.