Home
RECENT NEWS
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I want to thank Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Bishop for his hard work on this bill.
I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of programs funded by this subcommittee. For example, I am glad we were able to help children continue to have access to the meals they rely on while their schools were closed over the past several months.
Support for our farmers and ranchers has been a lifeline during this crisis after many years of economic challenges.
We also expanded internet coverage into rural areas and continue to do so with this fiscal year 2021 bill.
This bill also ensures we have safe and effective drugs, including those that are imported.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
During this time of instability around the world, it is important to remember that our investments abroad can make us more secure at home. The fiscal year 2021 bill funds many programs that would do just that.
The bill provides $3.3 billion for Israel, demonstrating our unwavering support for the security of our great ally and partner.
It protects funding for embassy security and counter-terrorism programs. The bill also includes funds to advance global health, promote democracy, and address human trafficking.
Unfortunately, while there are areas where we agree, I have serious concerns about partisan riders that have been inserted and the negative impact they could have.
As I said during the subcommittee markup, the bill includes permanent changes in law that would overturn the current Mexico City Policy.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.
Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.
- Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
- Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
- $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.
In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.
WASHINGTON – Today, the subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, and Science; Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development; Financial Services and General Government; and Defense met to consider their appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021. The measures were reported out to the full committee with concerns raised by Republicans.
