Cole Remarks at FY26 Financial Services and General Government Bill Full Committee Markup

Thank you, Chairman Joyce. And thank you to Ranking Member Hoyer, Ranking Member of the Full Committee DeLauro, and all the members of the subcommittee. Today we continue our work on the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. This legislation impacts every American, and the good governance our constituents expect. From our economy, and the branches of the United States government, including the Executive Office of the President and Federal Judiciary – to financial agencies – the scope of this bill is vast.

Taxpayers expect us to meet the most pressing needs while cutting waste and ending policies that don’t work. This bill does just that. It reduces spending below last year’s level, ensuring dollars are directed where they matter most. Fiscal responsibility does not mean pulling back on essential services. It means focusing on investments that protect freedom and strengthen our country. We show how to make necessary choices that reflect the priorities of the American people. Importantly, this measure advances President Trump’s America First agenda. It blocks harmful Biden-era rules, reins in wasteful programs, and ensures government works smarter, faster, and more efficiently for the people.

This includes critical investments in cybersecurity and IT modernization, protecting our financial systems from bad actors, safeguarding hardworking Americans from IRS overreach, and strengthening efforts to stop fentanyl and other deadly drugs from pouring into our communities. The measure also codifies several important executive orders to protect taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse, and prevent improper payments. All in all, it supports hardworking Americans and small businesses by protecting consumer freedom, upholding our financial and judicial systems, and driving economic growth.

I thank Chairman Joyce for his work. I look forward to consideration of this bill by the full committee today. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.