Remarks

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the Senate Amendments to H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027. Mr. Speaker, today is the first day of September. At this time of year, some people think of fall... Some people, like me, think of football - but on the Appropriations Committee, our focus is on the coming end of the fiscal year. September 30 marks the end of Fiscal Year 2026, and that means both the House and Senate must act to fund the government for the coming fiscal year.

I want to welcome everybody to today’s Full Committee hearing, entitled “Funding Lapses: Analyzing Shutdown Reform.” While having all members in the room usually denotes a markup, I am pleased to remind everyone that we reported out all 12 Fiscal Year 2027 bills before the end of June. It doesn’t mean our work is complete, but it does create space for a needed conversation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 9770, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027. This Congress has a constitutional duty to fund the government – and if Article I teaches us anything, it's that governing means doing the work, not waiting for a crisis. It is a responsibility I have never viewed as optional – and one I have remained committed to honoring through regular order.

Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member McGovern, members of the Rules Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify today. I come before you today on H.R. 9770, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027. Over the past year, the House Appropriations Committee has worked diligently to advance our Article I duties. Last month, we completed our markup process for Fiscal Year 2027, reporting all twelve bills out of the full committee by June 24. This is the earliest date this feat has been accomplished since Fiscal Year 2020.

I thank my distinguished friend – and Vice Chair of the full committee – Chairman Díaz-Balart for the time. The Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs bill makes a clear statement about American leadership: We will engage where it matters. We will invest where it counts. And we will demand accountability for every dollar spent.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill to the House for consideration and approval. Let me start by noting the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham. As Chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee in the Senate, we worked together closely on our top priority – national security. Senator Graham was a tough negotiator but always an honorable partner. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and staff.

I would like to welcome Administrator Loeffler before the Committee for the first time in her tenure and thank her for being here today. I also want to the thank the Chairman of the full committee for being here today and I’ll let his remarks speak for both of us. I will just say this - the breadth of SBA’s impact is extensive, and SBA plays a critical role in the growth and development of small businesses and ultimately to the economy of this country.

Thank you, Chairman Joyce, and thank you, Ranking Member Hoyer. Welcome, Administrator Loeffler for being here today – and thank you for appearing before us today and for your continued service to the nation. America has never lacked in entrepreneurial drive and innovative vision. What has made our country exceptional is our willingness to let that spirit flourish. From our earliest merchants to Main Street today, small businesses have created jobs, fueled growth, and expanded opportunity for generations.