Remarks

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.

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.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present to the Committee the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5860, a bill that keeps the government open until November 17^th.

While I would rather be here speaking on the floor about final appropriations bills, I want members to understand why passing this short-term funding bill today is so important.

First, I want to explain how we find ourselves in this situation.

Just nine months ago, when Republicans took back the Majority in the House, our commitment was to Regular Order for appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to speak on the Spending Reduction and Border Security Act of 2024.

The most basic duty Congress must complete every year is our Constitutional power to fund the government. This bill will provide funding to keep our government open until October 31^st. Unless we act now the government will shut down at midnight on Saturday.

Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5692, which provides security assistance to Ukraine and funds a Special Inspector General to oversee these and other funds provided by the American taxpayers.

In 2016, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, referred to as USAI, was created in response to increased Russian aggression. These funds, along with the National Guard's State Partnership Program with California and other efforts, have transformed the Ukrainian military from a remnant of the Soviet empire to a capable and increasingly western fighting force.

Madam Chairwoman, I am proud to speak on the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill for floor consideration today.

If you've read the bill, you know it is very straightforward.

If you are a friend or an ally of the United States, this bill supports you.

If you are an adversary or are cozying up to our adversaries, then frankly, you will not like this bill.

I am extremely proud of this bill, which was carefully and thoughtfully developed over many months.

I want to begin by thanking the Chairwoman of the Full Committee, Ms. Granger, for her leadership and her tireless efforts to bring these Appropriations bills to the floor.

I also want to thank the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, my good friend Mr. Cuellar, who has worked with us in good faith on the bill, despite some disagreements on policy.

And lastly, I have enjoyed my time sitting next to the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, the Gentlelady from Connecticut, not once, but twice in the last few days.