Remarks

Thank you, Chairwoman Granger.

I would like to start by saying thank you to our Ranking Member, Mr. Espaillat. His cooperation and patience as we have moved through the process this year is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to the Chairwoman, Ms. Granger for your leadership getting the Legislative Branch bill to this point, and Ranking Member DeLauro for all your support of the Legislative Branch.

Let me begin by thanking the Members of the Committee for their participation in the process of putting the Homeland Security bill together.

We made a concerted effort to address as many Member priorities as possible.

Our job on this Committee is to provide the resources required to keep our nation safe. This bill ensures that the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need to protect this great nation.

Welcome to the subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill. I am pleased to be joined by Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur, Full Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, and Full Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro.

The Energy and Water bill is critical for our national security, our energy security, and our economic competitiveness. The recommendation totals $57.958 billion, an increase of $1.256 billion above Fiscal Year 2023 and a reduction of $1.963 billion below the President's Budget Request.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for presenting the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill.

I appreciate the work you have done on this bill.

The bill before us delivers responsible appropriations in support of a stronger national defense, economy, and energy sector.

As we face growing threats around the world, this bill reduces spending on unnecessary programs and re-prioritizes funding to areas that strengthen our national security.

Thank you, Chairwoman Granger, and I want to commend your leadership in moving the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process forward. I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Ms. DeLauro, and the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee, Mr. Bishop, as I appreciate the conversations he and I have had in regards to the bill. While I know we don't agree on everything, we have reached areas of consensus that will keep our Ag communities vital.

First, I want to thank Dr. Harris for his work on this bill that funds the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration.

This bill works to lower costs and grow our economy by supporting America's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

During the last Congress, many of the agencies and programs in this bill received significant increases.

I thank the Chairman for coming up with ways to gather some of the funds we already have on-hand and re-direct them toward priorities in this bill.

As we begin debate on the subcommittee allocations, I would like to set the stage for how we got where we are today.

I'll start with some background. I mentioned yesterday that during the last Congress, more than three trillion dollars was spent outside of the annual appropriations process. Government spending increased, and inflation soared. That is why we have no choice but to reduce spending where we can.

Good morning. I'm honored to present today the first of the FY24 appropriations bills.

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill is special. We provide funds for our military and for service members and their families. We also provide funds for veterans' programs and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Finally, we provide funds to the agencies that honor our military and veterans, such as Arlington National Cemetery.