Remarks

Madam speaker, I rise today in support of this appropriations package.

I want to start by thanking all of the members and staff who were involved in this process.

We looked hard at our needs and developed a package to carry us through the process. Two weeks ago, I talked about the changes House Republicans made regarding how we fund the government. We made targeted cuts to wasteful programs and developed a package that is proof of that. We looked at each need, and it was clear that the world is becoming a more dangerous place.

We made changes and decided on efforts that include:

• Countering China,
• Developing next-generation weapons,
• And investing in the quality of life of our service members.

I am proud to say that this bill strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities:

The Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government will come to order. Welcome to our first subcommittee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 President’s Budget Request.

Appearing before the Subcommittee today are Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, and Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein. I want to thank each of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be with us today. This will be an important discussion that should not be taken lightly.

We are here today to discuss the Biden Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request and our Nation’s economic outlook. And, I’m happy to share that this is the first time in over a decade that this committee has had a panel with the Treasury Secretary, OMB Director and CEA Chair.

Good morning. I want to thank you all for being here today to discuss the Department of Agriculture’s fiscal year 2025 budget request. Secretary Vilsack, I want to welcome you, and I look forward to hearing more about your priorities for the coming year, as well as having a discussion on other important issues under the jurisdiction of this Subcommittee.

USDA’s fiscal year 2025 budget request totals $25.1 billion, an increase of $2.2 billion, or almost 10%, over last year’s levels. As we review the request, we need to have an honest discussion about USDA’s priorities and where our constituents’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars make the greatest impact.

USDA’s most significant increase is for the WIC nutrition program. The budget requests a total of $7.73 billion for the program, which is an additional $700 million above the recently enacted FY 2024 level.

Good morning. I want to thank you all for being here today to discuss the Department of Agriculture’s fiscal year 2025 budget request. Secretary Vilsack, I want to welcome you, and I look forward to hearing more about your priorities for the coming year, as well as having a discussion on other important issues under the jurisdiction of this Subcommittee.

USDA’s fiscal year 2025 budget request totals $25.1 billion, an increase of $2.2 billion, or almost 10%, over last year’s levels. As we review the request, we need to have an honest discussion about USDA’s priorities and where our constituents’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars make the greatest impact.

USDA’s most significant increase is for the WIC nutrition program. The budget requests a total of $7.73 billion for the program, which is an additional $700 million above the recently enacted FY 2024 level.

Mr. speaker, I rise today in support of this appropriations package.

I want to start by thanking all of the members and staff who were involved in this process.

Two weeks ago, I talked about the changes house republicans made in how we fund the government.

We made targeted cuts to wasteful programs.

This package is proof of that.

I also mentioned that we increased defense funding – the world around us is becoming more dangerous.

I am proud to say that this bill strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

These efforts include:

• Countering china,

• Developing next-generation weapons,

• And investing in the quality-of-life of our service members.

Overall, the defense bill is increased by $27 billion above last year.

This package also includes other key priorities:

Good Morning, Mr. Secretary. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for our first budget hearing of the year. We are looking forward to hearing your testimony.

I know the discussion this morning will focus on the facts and figures related to funding for public health, biomedical research, and services for children and families. Those are all important issues, but I want to also raise another important, but difficult topic today. That is the issue of human trafficking.

Tragically, human trafficking is not limited to a few isolated places in border towns or big cities. In my home region of North Alabama, parts of my district have seen nearly a 200 percent increase in the number of unaccompanied migrant children placed with sponsors over the past few years.

Good morning. Welcome.

Today’s hearing is on the quality of life for our enlisted soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and their families.

The five witnesses at the table represent the highest enlisted level of leadership for their respective branches.

I am pleased that we are having this hearing again to start off Fiscal Year 2025. This group’s insight is critical. This hearing is a great opportunity to identify areas where we can be more helpful to our service members and their families.

It is also an opportunity to discuss the important connection between facilities, readiness, and quality of life.

Investing in infrastructure bolsters the military’s ability to train and fight, while also ensuring our service members and their families are taken care of at home, every day. We owe that to them.

And now I would like to recognize Ms. Wasserman Schultz for her opening remarks.

The hearing will come to order.

It is my pleasure to welcome Secretary Jennifer Granholm to the Energy and Water Subcommittee this morning to discuss the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Department of Energy. It’s always a pleasure to see you, Madam Secretary, and to discuss the important work of the Department of Energy.

The DOE’s fiscal year 2025 budget request is a total program level of approximately $52 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion above the fiscal year 2024 Act. I strongly support many of the programs and activities of the Department of Energy.