Remarks

I'm honored to present the FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill to the House today.

This bill is special because it supports our troops and their families, and the Nation's veterans.

The bill provides $17.5 billion for military construction and family housing projects. This is less than the FY23 enacted amount. However, it is nearly $800 million above the President's request.

We focus this investment in the Pacific to deter China's aggressive and coercive actions. We also provide significant funding for new barracks and child development centers.

This bill fully funds veterans' programs at the level requested by the President. It keeps our promise to veterans, and we do more to help veterans in the Pacific. But we also ensure taxpayer funds are used appropriately and effectively by increasing oversight of several programs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4366, a bill that will provide funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

During the last Congress, three trillion dollars was spent outside of the normal appropriations process. As spending soared, so did inflation.

There was damage done to the economy, and the work of the Appropriations Committee changed significantly over those two years.

That is why earlier this year, I asked Subcommittee Chairs to evaluate all of the funding in the pipeline.

When the President's budget finally arrived, I directed them to review each agency's budget – line-by-line.

I want to thank the Subcommittee Chairs for their work to identify ways to save hard-earned tax dollars.

These savings have allowed us to reduce overall spending without short-changing what is most important – national defense, homeland security, and veterans.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. McGovern, and members of the Committee. I want to thank each of you for the opportunity to testify on the FY24 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill.

This is a good bill because it supports our troops and their families and the Nation's veterans.

We provide almost $800 million above the budget request for military construction and family housing.

We focus this funding to deter China's aggression in the Pacific and on barracks and child development centers.

We fully fund veterans' programs at the requested level, while strengthening our oversight of the VA.

In response to VA's actions, this bill includes the Hyde Amendment. This will ensure tax dollars are not used to fund elective abortions.

I know my friend and ranking member, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, opposes this provision and several others.

I am pleased to be here with my colleagues to present the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior bill.

I'd like to thank the Chairwoman for her strong support and leadership of the Committee. I appreciate the commitment and dedication it has taken to get us to this important step in the appropriations process.

I also want to recognize Ranking Member DeLauro and Ranking Member Pingree for their work on this bill. While we may not agree on some items in this bill, and there might be a little difference of opinion, I appreciate her commitment to the Subcommittee's issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months as we move the bill forward.

Thank you, Chairwoman Granger.

The bill before the Committee 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.

We have cut or eliminated 19 grant programs at DOT and HUD, totaling over $8 billion in savings, compared to the enacted level.

The total program level in this bill is $90 billion. We have carefully allocated resources to the most critical missions at DOT and HUD.

We prioritize transportation safety – on our railways, roads and airways.

First, I want to thank Chairman Cole for his work on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill.

This bill is another example of the real progress we are making to reduce overall spending while funding our highest priorities.

The bill before us today refocuses spending on programs that support affordable housing and safe, effective transportation systems.

Instead of giving the Administration more grant funding to spend, this bill gets us back to funding core missions.

This bill responsibly funds critical transportation infrastructure to ensure our roads, railways, and air traffic control systems are safe and reliable.

The housing programs in this bill provide support for working families, the elderly, the disabled, and our veterans.

I want to close by thanking the Members and staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work.

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: