Valadao Remarks at FY27 Legislative Branch Bill Subcommittee Markup (As Prepared for Delivery)

I am pleased to introduce the Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriation bill for the subcommittee’s consideration.

I’d like to begin by thanking Ranking Member Espaillat for the respectful and bipartisan process as we’ve worked together to develop the FY27 bill. I’d also like to thank each of our subcommittee Members for being actively engaged in the appropriations process this cycle that has resulted in the bill that we present for consideration this morning.

As we begin, I would like to remind our Members that this bill marks the first step of many, towards providing final FY27 funding for the offices and agencies within the legislative branch of our government.  As we worked within our allocation, we did our best to respond to the priorities of the Members in executing their constitutional duties, while supporting the operations of the Congress, the Capitol Complex, and the people who serve it. 

This bill provides $5.4 billion for House and Joint Items; in keeping with longstanding tradition, we leave Senate items for the other body’s consideration. 

I want to take a moment to note a few highlights of this bill, all of which are priorities for Members on both sides of the aisle. First, we are maintaining the new and existing security programs at the levels recommended by the House Sergeant at Arms and providing them with the requested funds to continue their operations. The bill also increases essential funding for the U.S. Capitol Police by over $55 million. This is an important investment in the women and men who spend their days protecting the seat of democracy – the Capitol Complex. We thank each and every one of them for all that they do to protect the Members, our visitors, constituents, and staff.

The bill under consideration today also increases funding for the Office of Legislative Counsel to assist all Member offices; it provides additional resources for the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program which is popular among all Members, and increases the Members’ Representational Allowance to account for rising costs across the nation and to assist with workforce retention and institutional knowledge. Members on both sides of the aisle prioritized this account when submitting their requests for this bill. 

The bill also supports the addition of new primary services for female Members of Congress through the Office of the Attending Physician, continues the ongoing initial investment for the critical renovation of the Rayburn House Office Building, and provides for the employees and programs of the Library of Congress and the essential services they provide the Congress.

I want to thank the subcommittee staff on both sides for their work – from the majority, Lori Rowley and April Lyman, and from the minority, Faye Cobb. 

Again, I’d like to thank all Members for their requests, contributions, and engagement which resulted in this Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch bill. I look forward to continuing to work together in the days ahead as we move the bill through the legislative process both here in the House and in final negotiations with the Senate.