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Good morning, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Welcome to the Subcommittee's first hearing of the 118^th Congress on oversight of the United Nations.

While the President's Budget has been delayed, this Subcommittee has important oversight work that must be done to prepare for our next appropriations bill. This includes a review of our engagement at the United Nations where the United States is the largest donor providing over $12 billion annually.

The Subcommittee on Defense will come to order.

Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony on the war in Ukraine.

First, I would like to welcome our two witnesses: Celeste Wallander, who serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Lieutenant General Douglas Sims II, the Director for Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We look forward to your testimony.

Good morning. Welcome.

Today's hearing is on the quality of life for our enlisted soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and their families.

The five witnesses at the table represent the highest enlisted level of leadership for their respective branches.

This is the first time since 2019 that we've had all of the senior enlisted leaders together to testify on quality-of-life issues. They are truly an impressive group.

This hearing is a great opportunity to identify areas where we can do more to help our service members and their families.

Good morning and welcome to the first meeting of the Committee on Appropriations for the 118th congress.

The business today is to consider the Committee Rules and Subcommittee Jurisdictions.

Before we do that, I want to start by saying that serving on this committee has been one of the greatest honors of my time in Congress.

I am humbled to serve as your Chair.

We have our work cut out for us this year.

In many ways, the odds are stacked against us.