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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to speak on the Spending Reduction and Border Security Act of 2024.
The most basic duty Congress must complete every year is our Constitutional power to fund the government. This bill will provide funding to keep our government open until October 31st. Unless we act now the government will shut down at midnight on Saturday.
The House of Representatives has already passed 4 appropriations bills, constituting the majority of funding for our government, while the Senate continues to sit on their hands and has failed to pass anything. Typical.
The country has nearly 32.9 trillion dollars in debt, and our deficit this year is $1.9 trillion. The Biden administration has gone on a spending binge with money we do not have to spend. It is time we slow our funding to a more sustainable level.
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives met to consider H.R. 4367, the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the House with a vote of 220 to 208.
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives met to consider H.R. 4365, the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the House with a vote of 218 to 210.
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives met to consider H.R. 4665, the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the House with a vote of 216 to 212.
Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5692, which provides security assistance to Ukraine and funds a Special Inspector General to oversee these and other funds provided by the American taxpayers.
In 2016, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, referred to as USAI, was created in response to increased Russian aggression. These funds, along with the National Guard's State Partnership Program with California and other efforts, have transformed the Ukrainian military from a remnant of the Soviet empire to a capable and increasingly western fighting force.
This funding is not sent directly to Ukraine.
Since 2016, these funds have been used to pay for the training U.S. troops provide Ukrainian troops and for U.S. manufactured weapons we provide to Ukraine.
Madam Chairwoman, I am proud to speak on the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill for floor consideration today.
If you've read the bill, you know it is very straightforward.
If you are a friend or an ally of the United States, this bill supports you.
If you are an adversary or are cozying up to our adversaries, then frankly, you will not like this bill.
I am extremely proud of this bill, which was carefully and thoughtfully developed over many months.
In my judgment, it reflects the values and interests of most Americans.
We carefully reviewed all the organizations and programs that receive U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Among the key factors:
I want to begin by thanking the Chairwoman of the Full Committee, Ms. Granger, for her leadership and her tireless efforts to bring these Appropriations bills to the floor.
I also want to thank the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, my good friend Mr. Cuellar, who has worked with us in good faith on the bill, despite some disagreements on policy.
And lastly, I have enjoyed my time sitting next to the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, the Gentlelady from Connecticut, not once, but twice in the last few days.
The bill before us today provides $62.8 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, an increase of $2.1 billion above the Fiscal Year 2023 level.
In addition, the bill also includes $20.3 billion for disaster response and recovery activities—including to support communities after the devastating wildfires in Maui and Hurricane Idalia.
Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4365, the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill, which is the result of months of hearings, briefings, and engagements by all Members of the Subcommittee.
To provide for our strong national defense, this bill recommends $826.45 billion for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community, which is $27.8 billion above the Fiscal Year 2023 enacted level.
When I became Chairman of the Subcommittee, I made it clear to the Department they would not receive any blank checks. Any request that lacked adequate justification, was early to when the funds were needed, had unjustified cost growth, or did not directly support DOD's mission would not be funded in this bill.
