Remarks

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to stand before you as we consider the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill for Fiscal Year 2024. I am glad that we are back at work, moving appropriations bills through the House Floor under our new Speaker. We are continuing to fulfill our constitutional duty. I would like to thank Chairwoman Granger, Ranking Member DeLauro, and my partner on this bill, Ranking Member Mike Quigley.

This bill responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs, which will have a positive impact on every congressional district in the country.

At the same time, the bill meets the challenge before us to reduce spending and get our debt under control. The bill reduces spending 25% below Fiscal Year 2023 levels, with a CBO score of $65 billion. We achieve these savings through a rescission of IRS funds and by reducing billions in excessive spending.

I am pleased to begin consideration of H.R. 4821, the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

Before I get into the bill, I want to commend Chairwoman Granger for her steadfast leadership of the Appropriations Committee and her ongoing support. I'd also like to thank the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Ms. Delauro, for her important work on this legislation and other things.

I'd also like to thank Ranking Member Pingree for her partnership and the Subcommittee Members for their work on this bill. Although, Ms. Pingree and I might have some differences of opinion on this bill.

H.R. 4821 provides $25.4 billion in new non-defense discretionary spending – which is $13.4 billion or 35 percent below the Fiscal Year 2023 level.

Earlier this month, we saw Hamas carry out its evil attack on the Israeli people. Now more than ever, we must stand firm with our great ally and do all we can to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself.

The bill before us provides $14.3 billion dollars in emergency funding for much-needed military assistance. This funding will cover everything requested by the Israelis. Specifically, this bill includes funding for:

• Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam defense systems;
• Advanced weapons systems and services through the Foreign Military Financing Program; and
• The production of ammunition.

To ensure that our support does not impact our own military readiness, the bill provides $4.4 billion to replenish the items we are sending Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6126, which provides security assistance to Israel, supports the security of our embassy personnel, enables the evacuation of U.S. citizens, and strengthens the ability of our industrial base to respond to this crisis.

On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a barbaric attack on Israel that took the lives of more than 1,400 innocent Israelis, including 32 American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I stand firmly behind Israel's right to defend itself and destroy the Hamas terrorist organization. The world will be a safer place once that organization is eliminated.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 771, a resolution which I cosponsored, by a vote of 412 to 0. That resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security. The bill we are considering today delivers on that commitment.

Chairman Cole, Ranking Member McGovern, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.

The bill includes $14.3 billion in urgently needed funding to support Israel in their war against some of the world's most evil and vile terrorists, Hamas.

Let us not forget what happened. On October 7^th, Hamas murdered, raped, and maimed thousands of Israelis, including babies, toddlers, and the elderly. Hundreds of hostages were taken into Gaza. It was pure evil.

Israel must defeat Hamas and the U.S. must urgently support Israel in this task.

Just today, Hamas declared, "we must teach Israel a lesson and we will do this again and again." And the Hamas charter calls for Israel to be obliterated.

We must take them at their word and help Israel. That's what this legislation being considered today does.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill for Fiscal Year 2024.

I would also like to thank Chairwoman Granger, Ranking Member DeLauro, and my partner on this bill, Ranking Member Mike Quigley.

This bill responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs, which will have a positive impact in every congressional district.

At the same time, the bill meets the challenge before us to reduce spending and get our debt under control.

The bill reduces spending 25% below Fiscal Year 2023 levels, with a CBO score of $65 billion. We achieve these savings through a rescission of IRS funds and by reducing billions in excessive spending.

To really compare this bill to last year, we need to be honest about what was in the Fiscal Year 2023 bill.

Thank you to the Members of the Committee for the opportunity to discuss H.R. 4821, the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior and Environment appropriations bill.

H.R. 4821 provides $25.4 billion in new non-defense discretionary spending – which is $13.4 billion or 35 percent below the Fiscal Year 2023 level. The bill also rescinds $9.4 billion in funding provided to EPA, the Presidio Trust, and the Council on Environmental Quality through the Inflation Reduction Act.

In drafting this bill, we worked very hard to rein in federal spending while prioritizing critical needs within our reduced allocation.

The bill fully funds Payments in Lieu of Taxes – estimated at $515 million – and provides an additional $1.6 billion to fund essential wildfire activities without using irresponsible budgetary gimmicks.

Mr. Chairman, it's my distinct honor to bring the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water bill before you today.

Before I go into the details, I'd like to recognize the hard work of Chairwoman Granger and Ranking Member DeLauro on this bill and the appropriations process. I'd also like to thank my Ranking Member, Ms. Kaptur, for being a tremendous partner throughout this year's process.

At a total of $56.958 billion, the Energy and Water bill advances our national security, our energy security, and our economic competitiveness in a fiscally responsible manner.