Remarks
Madam Chair, thank you for presenting the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill today.
I appreciate the work that you and Ranking Member Carter have done this year, reaching across the aisle to fund many projects important to our Members.
Unfortunately, just like the bills we discussed yesterday, this bill is based on a funding framework that the Majority party developed without Republican support.
This difference of opinion on funding priorities and on policy positions could slow down our appropriations process this year.
I want to begin by thanking the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Ryan, for presenting the fiscal year 2022 Legislative Branch appropriations bill.
I also want to recognize the ranking member, Ms. Herrera Beutler.
Over the last six months, I have seen the dedication you both have given to solving issues important to all Members of Congress. You have truly worked overtime, and we are grateful for your service on this subcommittee.
I want to thank Chairman Quigley for presenting the Financial Services and General Government bill, the first appropriations bill we will consider for fiscal year 2022.
I also want to recognize my friend, Mr. Womack, in his first markup as ranking member. I thank him for his years of service on the Budget Committee and now his leadership on this subcommittee.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3237 – a bill to provide funding for Capitol security and other purposes.
Unfortunately, after several weeks of discussions, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have chosen the path of partisanship instead of working together, and I want to explain how we ended up in this situation.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Admiral Faller, it's good to see you again.
SOUTHCOM is an extremely important area of operations that frequently does not get the priority it deserves because of conflicts in other areas of the world. It has been, and will continue to be, a priority of mine.
The crisis on our southern border is just the most recent reminder of how critically important the region is to the security of our own country.
I have seen for myself on many visits to the border and to the region that this is not a new problem we are trying to solve.
Thank you, Chairman Price, for holding this hearing today.
I want to welcome the secretary for his first hearing with our Committee.
Mr. Secretary, I know you come to Washington with the perspective of a former mayor. You have said that there are no Democratic or Republican potholes. And, as a former mayor myself, I completely agree with you on that point.
You reached out to me early on, and I look forward to continuing our conversation as we work together to address our nation's transportation infrastructure needs.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing today so that we can hear Secretary Vilsack's plans for the Department of Agriculture.
The events of the past year have affected virtually every sector of our economy. This is especially true for our farmers and ranchers. Thanks to the staff at USDA, programs were quickly implemented to help those affected by the pandemic.
I would like to thank Chairman Ryan and Ranking Member Herrera Beutler for holding this important hearing today.
The January 6th attack on the Capitol was something I never thought I would witness. In the face of great danger, U.S. Capitol Police bravely fought to defend the complex and ensure all Members and staff were safe.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to begin by congratulating you for taking over the gavel of the Appropriations Committee as we begin our first official meeting of the 117th Congress.
I wish we were all in the same room today to hear the sound of that gavel, but I know you will continue to look for ways for us to meet in person.
"Mister Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill that will provide funding for the Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year, as well as provide another round of desperately needed relief for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
