Remarks

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Welcome, Secretary Mayorkas. I sincerely thank you for joining us today.

Continuing the dialogue that we had on a bipartisan basis before the Easter break will be important in the weeks to come.

I am hopeful you can provide some additional insight into the plan that you released yesterday afternoon that outlines six border security pillars to address the historic number of migrants encountered by our agents and officers.

I want to thank the chairwoman for holding this important hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2023 budget.

Thank you also, Secretary Mayorkas for joining us. We look forward to your testimony today.

First, I want to honor Texas National Guardsman Bishop Evans.

Specialist Evans lost his life over the weekend saving two migrants from drowning.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Specialist Evans, as well as the Texas National Guard.

Mister Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2471, a bill that will provide funding for the Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year.

While it has taken us far too long to get here, I am glad we were able to produce a bill that includes many funding priorities that I support.

Since last summer, I have made it clear that House Republicans wouldn't oppose appropriations bills unless they:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill to provide funding for the heroes in our National Guard and Capitol Police, as well as the brave people of Afghanistan who supported our troops overseas.

While I am disappointed that it has taken this long to reach an agreement, the bill before us today is a strong package that deserves our support.

This bill:

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4346, the fiscal year 2022 Legislative Branch appropriations bill.

I wish I could support this important piece of legislation, but unfortunately, it has too many flaws, and it does not reflect the type of bipartisan agreement that we must have to complete the appropriations process this year.

At a time of record-high deficits and debt, now is not the time to double-down on increasing domestic spending.

This bill alone includes a nearly 13% increase over current levels.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4373, the fiscal year 2022 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill.

This bill has many fatal flaws, in spite of Republican efforts to improve it. The concerns raised during markup were not addressed, and many of the amendments we offered at the Rules Committee have not been made in order on the floor today.

I'll begin with our list of major complaints.

To put it simply, the spending level is too high, and the policies are too controversial.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4502, a package of seven fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills that will be considered by the House this week.

I wish the circumstances were different and I could support this important piece of legislation that funds critical programs.

Unfortunately, after months of committee hearings and markups, this year's bills have too many fatal flaws.

First, there is no agreement between Republicans and Democrats on the topline spending level for appropriations.

Thank you, Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole, for allowing me to testify on H.R. 4502, a package of seven fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills.

I wish the circumstances were different and I were here speaking in favor of this important piece of legislation.

Unfortunately, there is not bipartisan support, so I am here to ask the Rules Committee to allow amendments to H.R. 4502, so that it can be improved.