Remarks

Thank you. I rise in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024.

I’d like to commend Chairwoman Granger for her leadership of the Appropriations Committee and for getting the first six bills across the finish line. I would also like to thank the Interior Subcommittee Ranking Member Pingree for her partnership.

Together, we’ve negotiated a reasonable compromise to avoid a government shutdown that fails to respond to our nation’s needs and maintain our public lands.

The Interior and Environment division provides non-defense topline resources totaling $38.9 billion – nearly 4 percent below the FY23 level.

Cutting funding is never easy, but with the national debt in excess of $34 trillion, we made tough choices in this bill to rein in federal spending.

Thank you very much Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the chairwoman for yielding. I want to begin with some much deserved thank yous I want to thank the speaker this house, this deal would not have come together without his leadership and support. I particularly want to thank my Chairwoman Kay Granger and Ranking Member DeLauro for their work and their leadership and putting a package together they can get across this floor in a bipartisan manner. And I'd be remissed not to thank my negotiating part counterparts, Ranking Member Quigley and Senator Schatz and Ranking Member Hyde Smith on the Senate side of the rotunda. They were just terrific to work with in every way. And finally, and always, we have outstanding staff. We all know what that and this bill wouldn't be here without their hard work.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Chair for yielding time.

I rise in strong support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024, particularly the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. As Chairman of that subcommittee, I worked hard to ensure the bill includes many House Republican priorities.

At a total of $58.2 billion, the bill advances our national security, our energy security, and our economic competitiveness in a fiscally responsible manner.

To support our nuclear deterrent, the bill funds the National Nuclear Security Administration at $24.1 billion, an increase of almost $2 billion above fiscal year 2023. Specifically, the bill fully funds all major weapons and infrastructure modernization activities, including the W-93 warhead, the nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile, a variant of the B61 gravity bomb, and the restart of plutonium pit production capability.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, I rise in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act under consideration today.

The fiscal situation facing the Nation requires Congress to make significant spending reductions while maintaining strong commitments to the safety, security, and well-being of the American people.

After tough but fair bipartisan negotiations, we have produced a strong bill that prioritizes everyday Americans while right-sizing bureaucracy.

Make no mistake, many agencies with important missions face reductions under this legislation. We believe it is important to reverse the out-of-control growth of the Federal Government, and that is reflected in this agreement.

The CJS bill scales back spending by holding most agencies to 2023 levels – or lower. Agencies must refocus on their core missions and responsibilities.

Mr./Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this short-term continuing resolution. This bill extends government funding until March 8th for 4 bills and March 22nd for the others.  

Given the differences between this year’s House and Senate bills, we knew finding common ground would not be easy. But, we have made progress, and we need a few more weeks to finish drafting the bills. We also need to give members adequate time to review them.

In the meantime, we can’t afford a harmful government shutdown. I urge my colleagues to support this C.R., and I reserve the balance of my time.

I rise in support of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide much-needed assistance to our democratic and unwavering ally, Israel, as it combats terrorism against its citizens.

I commend my colleague, Chairman Ken Calvert, for his leadership in drafting this critical legislation, as well as Chairwoman Kay Granger. I want to thank Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise for bringing this bill to the House floor.

As Mr. Calvert just said, there has been genocide, but the genocide has been from Hamas. If the world needed yet another reminder of the importance of Israel as a safe haven for the Jewish people, then the heinous attacks on innocent men, women, children – even babies – of October 7 should be that wake-up call. This is not that complicated.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer House Resolution 7217, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. This bill provides $17.6 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations, which will provide needed military assistance to America's great ally Israel and support U.S. military forces operating in the region.

On October 7th 2023, Hamas carried out a brutal, unprovoked terrorist attack on the people of Israel. The horrific acts committed on this day resulted in 1,200 deaths, thousands injured, and 240 hostages – 136 remain in captivity, and over 30 are believed to be dead. The Israeli people are still reeling from the horrors of October 7th, but have bravely pushed their sorrow aside to root out and fight Hamas, and ensure their people are never threatened again.

Last November, the House passed a $14.3 billion supplemental to shore up our ally. That bill included:

Nearly four months ago, we watched Hamas brutally attack the Israeli people. Unfortunately, the situation in the region has only gotten worse.

Israel, and now U.S. Forces, have been attacked by terrorist groups backed by Iran. Funding is needed to address the growing threats we face.

The bill before us provides a total of $17.6 billion in emergency resources. Specifically, the bill includes funding for Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam Defense Systems and other weapons through the Foreign Military Financing program.