Remarks

Thank you, Chairman Aderholt, and thank you to Ranking Member DeLauro and to all the members of the committee for being here today.

Our markup work continues with a bill of critical importance to Americans and our nation. The legislation before us funds the operations of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other related agencies. From biomedical research to our classrooms—the impact of this measure on public health and education is one of great importance.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  It is my pleasure to present the fiscal year 2026 recommendations of the subcommittee on labor, health and human services, education, and related agencies to the full committee. I would like to thank you, Chairman Cole, for your longstanding leadership on the Labor-HHS bill and express my appreciation for Ranking Member DeLauro, who tirelessly champions her priorities for this bill.  Ms. DeLauro and I may not always agree, but I very much appreciate her good faith efforts to work together wherever we can.

I am pleased to bring the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water bill to the floor today.

The bill provides a total of $57.3 billion to safeguard U.S. national security, strengthen our economy, and unleash American energy dominance.

The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the U.S. Navy nuclear fleet.

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.

Thank you, Chairman Cole. I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill to the full Committee for consideration and approval.

I would like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro. And of course, I would like to thank Ranking Member Hoyer. I value his insights on and off this Subcommittee.

I’m proud of the bill we are marking up today. It reflects the hard work of the Subcommittee since March.  

Thank you, Chairman Aderholt, and thank you to Ranking Member DeLauro and to all the members of the subcommittee for being with us today.

Today’s measure funds the operations of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other related agencies. As the former chair of this subcommittee, I am deeply familiar with its work, which touches the lives of all Americans. The bill provides appropriate and fiscally responsible funding to ensure these departments can continue to perform their core missions while also safeguarding American taxpayer dollars.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen – The subcommittee on labor, health and human services, education, and related agencies will now come to order.  I would like to thank everyone for making arrangements to arrive before votes so we can hit the ground running. I also want to welcome Chairman Cole back to our subcommittee and recognize Ranking Member DeLauro.  

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart, and thank you to Ranking Member Frankel, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all our committee members. 

Today’s Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill marks a critical step toward advancing a sharpened approach to U.S. foreign policy. We ensure that Americans are safer at home and abroad without compromising fiscal responsibility. And we make clear that we will not retreat from the cause of freedom.