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The Defense Subcommittee has held hearings, classified briefings, and had many engagements with senior defense officials to shape our recommendation for the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill.

To maintain our strong national defense, this bill provides $826.45 billion for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. This is $286 million above the President's request and $27.8 billion above the Fiscal Year 2023 enacted level.

The stated mission of the Department of Defense is "to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security." This bill does just that by focusing on the DOD's most vital task – protecting our homeland and our national interests.

Today's hearing is on the VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization program. I'd like to welcome our witnesses: Dr. Neil Evans and Dr. Jonathan Nebeker, who are leading the program for VA, and Mr. Mike Sicilia with Oracle Global Industries.

A modern, interoperable electronic health record system that fully integrates VA, Defense Department, and community providers is a fundamental part of fulfilling our promise to provide world-class health care to our country's Veterans.

For more than 20 years, VA has attempted to modernize its system. About five years ago, I was hopeful VA was on the right track when it decided to acquire the same system as the Defense Department and then signed a contract with Cerner. However, we are now in a "reset" period.

I'm honored to present the FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill to the House today.

This bill is special because it supports our troops and their families, and the Nation's veterans.

The bill provides $17.5 billion for military construction and family housing projects. This is less than the FY23 enacted amount. However, it is nearly $800 million above the President's request.

We focus this investment in the Pacific to deter China's aggressive and coercive actions. We also provide significant funding for new barracks and child development centers.

This bill fully funds veterans' programs at the level requested by the President. It keeps our promise to veterans, and we do more to help veterans in the Pacific. But we also ensure taxpayer funds are used appropriately and effectively by increasing oversight of several programs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4366, a bill that will provide funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

During the last Congress, three trillion dollars was spent outside of the normal appropriations process. As spending soared, so did inflation.

There was damage done to the economy, and the work of the Appropriations Committee changed significantly over those two years.

That is why earlier this year, I asked Subcommittee Chairs to evaluate all of the funding in the pipeline.

When the President's budget finally arrived, I directed them to review each agency's budget – line-by-line.

I want to thank the Subcommittee Chairs for their work to identify ways to save hard-earned tax dollars.

These savings have allowed us to reduce overall spending without short-changing what is most important – national defense, homeland security, and veterans.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. McGovern, and members of the Committee. I want to thank each of you for the opportunity to testify on the FY24 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill.

This is a good bill because it supports our troops and their families and the Nation's veterans.

We provide almost $800 million above the budget request for military construction and family housing.

We focus this funding to deter China's aggression in the Pacific and on barracks and child development centers.

We fully fund veterans' programs at the requested level, while strengthening our oversight of the VA.

In response to VA's actions, this bill includes the Hyde Amendment. This will ensure tax dollars are not used to fund elective abortions.

I know my friend and ranking member, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, opposes this provision and several others.

I am pleased to be here with my colleagues to present the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior bill.

I'd like to thank the Chairwoman for her strong support and leadership of the Committee. I appreciate the commitment and dedication it has taken to get us to this important step in the appropriations process.

I also want to recognize Ranking Member DeLauro and Ranking Member Pingree for their work on this bill. While we may not agree on some items in this bill, and there might be a little difference of opinion, I appreciate her commitment to the Subcommittee's issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months as we move the bill forward.