Remarks

Thank you, Chairman Cole, for your remarks on this bill and for your leadership. This committee is fulfilling its constitutional duty thanks to your dedication. And thank you, Ranking Member DeLauro, for your leadership on this committee. Ranking Member Clyburn, thank you for your honest and thoughtful engagement on the subcommittee, and for your friendship.

Thank you, Chairman Simpson, and thank you to Ranking Member Pingree, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all our members. Today, we continue our Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations work with consideration of the Interior and Environment bill.

I am pleased to be here today to mark up the Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. I’d like to thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and support for this subcommittee. I also want to recognize Ranking Member DeLauro for her continued engagement throughout the process, and Ranking Member Pingree, who has been a great partner and continues to demonstrate her commitment to the issues in this bill.

I’d like to welcome our witness, the Honorable Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General of the United States, to testify before our subcommittee today. Last month, the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill cleared the full House Appropriations Committee.

Secretary Rubio, I am pleased to welcome you back to the NSRP Subcommittee for today’s hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Department of State and related programs.

Today, we welcome the Honorable Sean Duffy, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, to testify on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Thank you, Secretary Duffy, for appearing before us today.

Thank you, Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Clyburn. Secretary Duffy, welcome back to the THUD Subcommittee. Thank you for appearing before us again, and for your continued leadership and service. I particularly want to commend you for your commitment to modernizing our air traffic control systems. Upgrading aging air traffic control infrastructure is long overdue, and your leadership and urgency on this issue are exactly what is needed.

Thank you, Chairman Womack, Ranking Member Clyburn, Ranking Member DeLauro, and our subcommittee members. Today’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill is about building a stronger America. With a focus on modernizing infrastructure, improving travel, and supporting communities across the nation – this measure responsibly funds critical priorities while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.