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Thank you, Chairman Fleischmann – and thank you to Ranking Member Kaptur, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee.

Good morning. I’d like to welcome everyone to the subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The FY27 Energy and Water bill demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding U.S. national security, unleashing American energy dominance, and advancing our economic prosperity. The recommendation totals $58.5 billion, an increase of $461 million above Fiscal Year 2026.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank my good friend Judge Carter for the time. I rise today in support of our first FY27 appropriations bill on the floor – the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation reflects something we’ve long understood from our founding: America’s story has always been shaped by ordinary men and women willing to step forward and answer a call greater than themselves. A country worthy of sacrifice must also be worthy of the people who made it – and our obligation to those who wear the uniform does not end when they return home or hang up their uniform.

I am honored to present the FY27 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to the House today. This bill supports our troops, their families, and our nation’s veterans. I want to thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership in advancing this bill through the Committee. I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Ms. DeLauro, and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, for their partnership in bringing us to this point.