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The bill before us today provides $66.3 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion above fiscal year 2025, and $26.5 billion for major disaster response and recovery activities. 

What a difference a year makes. When we were marking up our fiscal year 2025 bill, the border was in disarray. We were spending billions of dollars on sole-source contracts for soft-sided tents to process and manage a Biden policy-driven crisis. 

And if that wasn’t bad enough, we were sending hundreds of millions to non-governmental organizations to facilitate the entry of illegal aliens into the country on a massive scale. The turn around that the Trump administration has orchestrated on the border has been profound.  What was once a border in chaos with record levels of encounters has quickly turned into the lowest numbers of crossings in recorded history. 

Thank you, Chairman Valadao, and thank you to Ranking Member Espaillat, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee for being with us today.

I’d like to begin by associating myself with all of Chairman Valadao’s opening statements. 

Violence has no place in our nation – not in our politics, not in our communities, and not in our values.

The targeted attacks in Minnesota were heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. We stand with the victims, their families, and all those affected as they face this difficult time.

Moments like this are a stark reminder of the responsibility we carry on this subcommittee—and we will not neglect our duty to safety and security. It’s why the legislation before us enhances resources for the House Sergeant at Arms and US Capitol Police. It supports the safety of constituents, staff, and members – both in the Capitol complex and during in-district proceedings.

I am pleased to introduce the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriation bill for the subcommittee’s consideration.

I’d like to begin by thanking our subcommittee Members in attendance for their input and support throughout the hearing season and during the formulation of the bill we present for consideration this evening. I’d like to specifically thank Ranking Member Espaillat for his contributions and valuable insights.

This bill provides $5 billion – a 5.3 percent decrease from the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted House level. As the legislative branch, we believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and make responsible funding decreases where appropriate.

I want to take a moment to recognize the tragic events that took place in Minnesota since Congress was last in session. Political violence has no place in our country, and I continue to pray for the victims and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.

I’d like to welcome our witness, the Honorable Pam Bondi, Attorney General of the United States, to testify on the Department of Justice’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget. To begin, I want to thank the Attorney General for speaking at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit this past April. 

Thank you, Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member McGovern, and members of the Committee for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the fiscal year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill. 

I want to thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership in getting this bill through 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 help in getting us to this point. I value my relationship with Ms. Wasserman-Schultz and as I have said before while I know we don’t agree on everything in the bill, we do agree on the importance of taking care of those who sacrifice so much for us.