Remarks

I want to welcome everyone to this oversight hearing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Inspector General. As we prepare for the fiscal year 2027 process, it’s essential that we hear from the Office of the Inspector General to understand OIG’s priorities for the coming year, and how this Subcommittee’s oversight role can support those efforts.

Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member McGovern, members of the Rules Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify today. While the moment certainly feels familiar, the issues before us remain critically important. Let me start with a simple reminder: legislating is challenging by design. The path here may have been different than expected, but our responsibility is the same – to fund the government and keep it working for the nation. Members are already acquainted with the legislation at hand. The underlying package was assembled and passed by the House two weeks ago and represents the final six FY26 appropriations measures. It has now been sent back with a Senate amendment that fully funds five divisions for the year and places the remaining division – the Department of Homeland Security – under a two-week continuing resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This bill marks the final measure in our FY26 agenda. Our work here is about one of our most important duties: keeping the American people and our homeland safe.

Thank you. Chairman Cole – we cannot thank you enough for your steadfast leadership and clear-eyed purpose to return us back to regular order, culminating today in the passage of the four final appropriations bills. I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026. This legislation was a true bipartisan effort by all four corners of Defense Appropriations. I would like to thank the Ranking Member and my friend, Betty McCollum for her partnership on this legislation. I would also like to thank the entire Defense Appropriations Subcommittee staff for their tireless work and thoughtful recommendations throughout the process.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the consolidated appropriations package before the House today. With this legislation, we are a step closer to completing full-year appropriations that right-size our priorities with updated funding levels. As Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, I’d like to highlight the THUD division of this package. But, before I do, I’d like to thank Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim Clyburn for his partnership. The THUD division is a deliberate shift away from bloated bureaucracy and unfocused spending, and back toward the core responsibilities of the federal government.

Madam Speaker: I rise today in support of the final FY26 appropriations package, which completes the culmination of hard work and fulfills our commitment to the American people. As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I was honored to lead the effort to rein in spending and secure an America First future, while also ensuring these bills provide funding for critical projects that support jobs and growth in our districts.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The legislation before us is part of the final chapter of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. This is where months of work turn into results.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the homeland security bill under consideration. As the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, I’d like to thank the Full Committee chair, Mr. Cole, for his leadership in helping to return us to regular order and producing a series of bills that will fully fund the government by the January 30th deadline.