Remarks

I want to thank Chairman Aderholt for presenting the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. I appreciate the work he has done on this bill.

The bill works to responsibly fund programs that help improve the health and lives of the American people.

It also holds agencies accountable when there has been a history of poor performance or controversial activities.

As we work toward the goal of reducing overall spending, I want to thank the Chairman for finding ways to best use limited resources to support our highest priorities.

Specifically, this bill continues to fund important programs that improve public health and safety, such as critical medical research and drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.

It also focuses on investments in education to develop our future workforce and remain competitive with the rest of the world.

I want to thank Chairman Rogers for presenting the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

I also want to thank the Chairman for funding the important programs in the bill while reducing spending on lower priorities.

I am pleased to say this bill strikes a careful balance.

Specifically, this bill prioritizes spending on programs and initiatives that:

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies will come to order.

Today, the Subcommittee will mark up the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

The fiscal situation facing the Nation requires some very significant and difficult spending reductions. The need for reductions was reflected in the Budget Resolution that passed the House, and in the 302b allocation we were given.

Accordingly, this Subcommittee produced a strong bill that right-sizes agencies and programs. We did this by scaling back many unsustainable spending levels to Fiscal Year 2022 levels – or lower. Despite the limited allocation, we are prioritizing the fight against fentanyl and efforts to counter China – including innovation and manufacturing initiatives, space exploration, and scientific research.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. This morning we will consider a bill funding these agencies for Fiscal Year 2024. I am pleased to chair this Subcommittee and provide support for important programs that touch the lives of every American.

I don't pretend this is a perfect bill, no bill in Congress is ever a perfect bill.

But we live in difficult times, our nation remains mired in high inflation, which has only been worsened by the massive infusion of government spending, both during and immediately after the COVID pandemic.

The Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will come to order.

We are here today to markup the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior bill. I would like to welcome Full Committee Ranking Member DeLauro, Subcommittee Ranking Member Pingree, and the other Members of the Subcommittee.

The Fiscal Year 2024 Interior bill provides $35 billion in spending, which is 10 percent below the Fiscal Year 2023 level, and it includes $9.4 billion of rescissions from the Inflation Reduction Act. This brings the Subcommittee's discretionary allocation to $25.4 billion, which is $13.4 billion or 35 percent below the Fiscal Year 2023 level.

I will be honest – if you're looking for a pretty bill, this is not it. This is a hard bill, but frankly, it is a necessary bill.

First, I want to thank Chairman Womack for his work on the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services bill.

As I have said before, to fully fund our national defense, veterans, and border security, other unnecessary spending must be reduced.

This bill rejects significant increases in the President's Budget Request, and instead saves billions of dollars by reclaiming unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and preventing the I.R.S. from hiring tens of thousands of new agents.

This bill addresses requests from members to include important policy riders and prohibit funding.

This bill stops controversial programs and Executive Orders; regulations that harm businesses and consumers; and unnecessary climate change rules.

It also continues long-standing pro-life protections.

It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. I want to thank my friend—Chairwoman Kay Granger—for giving me this opportunity. Thank you, also, to Ranking Member DeLauro for her commitment to the work of this committee. And to my Ranking Member, Steny Hoyer, thank you for your leadership and friendship through the years. It's a real privilege to work with you. I know that despite our disagreements on matters relating to our work today, we have a shared passion for doing the work of the American people. I trust it becomes evident as we move through this process.

I want to thank Chairman Simpson for presenting the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill. I appreciate what he has done to take meaningful steps to reduce spending on lower priority programs and direct funding where it is needed most.

The bill prioritizes many important areas, such as preventing and combating wildfires and meeting our commitment to tribes.

In order to do this within the allocation, the bill: