Media

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7608, the first package of fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills to be considered by the House.

I wish the circumstances were different and I could support this very important piece of legislation that funds many key programs.

This bill supports –

I would like to thank the Subcommittee Chairwoman and the Ranking Member for their leadership on the Homeland Security appropriations bill.

All of our states and communities are experiencing a public health crisis, and the Department of Homeland Security is one of the agencies on the front lines.

During these challenging times, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security have continued their mission at the ports of entry, along the border, and in our communities – responding to emergencies and saving lives across the nation.

Thank you, Chairwoman Lowey.

I want to recognize Chairman Quigley and Ranking Member Graves for their work on putting this Financial Services bill together.

I also want to thank Tom for his service in the House and on this Committee, as well as his work on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

The bill before us today includes many priorities for Members on both sides of the aisle, such as support for small businesses, drug control programs, and funding for vital counter-terrorism and financial intelligence efforts.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

Before I begin my remarks about the Defense bill, I want to take a moment to recognize the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr. Visclosky.

I had the honor of working closely with him when I chaired the Defense subcommittee. Chairman Visclosky is one of a kind. His passion and commitment to our servicemen and women and their families is absolute.

He serves with dignity, with modesty, and with determination. Like Nita Lowey, he is also a joy to work with.

He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and will be greatly missed.

I want to start by thanking Chairman Price and Ranking Member Diaz-Balart for their hard work on this Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill.

The programs funded in this bill reach into all of our communities - creating more economic opportunity and improving the quality of life for the American people.

This bill continues key transportation infrastructure and safety programs, including highway, transit, and port funding.

I want to thank Chairman Serrano and Ranking Member Aderholt for their work on the fiscal year 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill, and for their leadership on this Committee.

From efforts to combat criminal threats and protect children, to programs that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, this bill supports many important priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle.

It helps our nation's innovators and manufacturers and invests in cutting-edge research and technology.