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Thank you, Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree. Good morning, Acting Director Smith. Thank you for being here to discuss the Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request. 

As an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, I have always prioritized Tribal issues in my work as a Member of Congress and on this important Committee. I have been – and will remain – committed to ensuring the federal government upholds its trust responsibility to Native Americans to provide basic services and resources throughout Indian Country. I appreciate the important role IHS plays in this effort – delivering critical health care services to roughly 2.8 million individuals.

Good afternoon, everyone.  I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Indian Health Service Acting Director Benjamin Smith.  Thank you for your leadership of the IHS, and for being with us today to discuss the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request.

I would also like to welcome and thank Congressman Tom Cole for joining us today in his role as full committee chair.  Chairman Cole is the first Native American to ever chair the Appropriations Committee, and is a champion for Indian Country, ensuring that Tribes receive the resources they need to take care of their communities.

The Subcommittee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time. I would like to welcome everyone to this morning’s hearing. Thank you to our Subcommittee members and to Secretary Lutnick for being here today. 

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget request comes at a time of continued fiscal pressure. We must ensure every American taxpayer dollar is used efficiently and continue our work to reduce duplication across agencies and throughout the government. The Department of Commerce’s budget request totals $8.4 billion, a $1.8 billion or 17 percent decrease from the enacted level. 

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

As we kick off our markup schedule for the fiscal year 2026 bills today, we should all expect some early mornings and late nights in the coming weeks. But, the idea of sunup to sundown is nothing new for America’s foremost producers. For rural districts like the one I represent in southwest Oklahoma, agriculture is not merely a commodity, it is a way of life. Through production, innovation, and pure grit, American farmers feed the world.

Good morning. The Subcommittee will come to order. I want to welcome everyone to the Subcommittee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. I am pleased to be joined by our Subcommittee Ranking Member, Mr. Bishop, Full Committee Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and the Members of the Subcommittee.

Thank you, Chairman Carter, and thank you to Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee for being here.

This morning’s first measure is the first appropriations bill we will consider for Fiscal Year 2026. I echo my good friend Judge Carter’s comments about this bill. It honors our commitment to those who’ve worn America’s uniform and supports our military and their loved ones. By providing critical funding for military bases and improving housing for our troops and their families, we are ensuring that our national defense needs are met both at home and abroad.

We are also upholding our pledge to our veterans. This bill fully funds health care and benefits for those who have honorably served. They upheld their sacred oath to us—and now a grateful nation is keeping our promise to them.