Amodei Remarks at Oversight Hearing on U.S. Department of Homeland Security (As Prepared)

Before we wrap up, I want to offer this in closing: our authorizing colleagues are working on reconciliation bills that will provide significant investments in the President’s immigration and border security agenda, including funding to the Coast Guard to secure our maritime border. 

I commend them for their efforts to enable the Department to finish the wall, hire more agents and officers, and bring additional detention beds online. 

I know the Department hopes to be made whole with reconciliation, but in the meantime, you need to live within your means. 

It is our job as members of the Appropriations Committee to make sure the Department is appropriately spending the money Congress provides, as well as to ensure the Department has the resources it needs to execute its mission on an annual basis.

That work begins in earnest today, as we begin the Fiscal Year 2026 process.

We will move quickly, but not hastily, working with every Member of this Committee to produce a bill that will pass the House floor, as we have done the last few years.

I expect that the Department will be a good partner in that process, and I ask for your commitment that communication between this Committee and your Department will be significantly better moving forward.

We expect to receive routine briefings and reports from DHS on time and any changes in programs and policy to be proactively communicated, so that we can work collaboratively to secure the homeland.

We won’t surprise you. Don’t surprise us – just that simple. 

For the get back questions that Members of the Subcommittee had today, we ask that you respond in 15 business days.

There may be some additional questions Members provide in writing, and we ask you to respond to those in a timely manner.

I’d like to again thank our witness for being here today. The Subcommittee stands adjourned.