Remarks

The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs will come to order.

Madam Secretary, welcome back to the House Appropriations Committee. I know you were here last week before the Financial Services Subcommittee so we appreciate your time with us today and for your service to our country.

We look forward to your testimony on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Department of Treasury's International Programs.

Your department is seeking more than $4 billion in the coming fiscal year for these programs. This is a substantial increase – 71 percent more than the fiscal year 2023 enacted level.

Key elements of the request would go towards the multilateral development banks, debt relief, and Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance.

Thank you, Chairman Joyce.

And thank you, Mr. Secretary, for appearing before us today.

Since you last testified before this committee, the situation at the border has not improved.

And having lived in Texas, I've been there many, many times.

Last year, a record 2.7 million migrants attempted to cross the border illegally.

This year, the trend is even worse.

We have already had more than 1 million migrant encounters.

In May, Title 42 will be lifted. Title 42 was the authority that allowed migrants to be sent back home during the public health emergency. Its reversal will lead to another surge in migrants.

The cartels and traffickers are operating without fear.

Deadly drugs are affecting all our communities, not just those in the southwest.

You've said that we have operational control of the border.

If this is control, I'd hate to see the alternative.

I want to thank everyone for joining us today as we review the Food and Drug Administration's fiscal year 2024 budget request. Our witness is the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Robert Califf.

Dr. Califf, I want to welcome you to today's hearing. I look forward to the discussion on the budget request and other topics of importance.

Without a doubt, the FDA does critical work that touches the lives of every American, every day, and America continues to be blessed with the safest food and drug supply in the world. But as I look at the FDA's budget request, I'd be remiss if I did not acknowledge the fiscal outlook facing the country.

The Defense Subcommittee will come to order.

Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony from:

• the Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force;

• General C.Q. Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force;

• And General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations. General Saltzman, welcome to the Subcommittee.

Air and space superiority are more important than ever, as the U.S. faces the challenge of strategic competition with China.

To safeguard our national interests and defend our partners and allies, our military must maintain superiority in all warfighting domains.

Due to the significance of air and space capabilities in these demanding environments, we must continue to invest in our capabilities, create new technologies, and build a world class workforce.

The Subcommittee on Homeland Security will come to order.

Welcome Secretary Mayorkas. I sincerely thank you for joining us today as we discuss the Department's Fiscal Year 2024 budget submission.

First, I want to recognize DHS's 20-year anniversary. The Department was forged in the wake of the horrific attacks on September 11th , 2001, and tasked with the critical mission of protecting our Nation against those who would do us harm.

On behalf of the Committee, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation for the tireless, and often thankless, work done by the men and women of DHS on a day-to-day basis.

Turning our attention to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request, this proposal is unfortunately more disappointing than it is promising.

The hearing will come to order.

It is my pleasure to welcome Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Michael Connor, and Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, to discuss the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Commissioner Camille Touton to discuss the request for the Bureau of Reclamation.

The Subcommittee has a long history of strong support for the infrastructure needed to manage our nation's water resources, promote public safety, and ensure America maintains its competitive advantage in transporting goods to market.

The Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government will come to order.

Good afternoon, everyone, and Chair Gensler, welcome back to the Subcommittee. My colleagues and I are looking forward to today's conversation with you.

The nation's economy remains in a precarious position. The banking sector is in a state of unrest, prices continue to be inflated due to excessive spending, and the country's debt is on an unsustainable trajectory. Yet, this Administration is proposing a budget that is more of the same.

Unfortunately, the SEC is following suit. The fiscal year 2024 budget request for the SEC is $265 million above fiscal year 2023 enacted levels which is a double-digit percentage increase.

Now, some will say, the SEC's budget is fully offset by transaction fees, but that is only part of the story, and it completely ignores how bloated our government has become.

Good morning.

Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Fifty years ago today, the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, disbanded, and combat troops departed. The last of the acknowledged prisoners of war in Hanoi also were released.

It is fitting that we are holding a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs budget request for fiscal year 2024. More than any other federal department, the VA recognizes, supports, cares for, and lays to rest our nation's veterans. We appreciate our Vietnam Veterans and VA's efforts to honor their service.

Mr. Secretary, welcome and thank you for joining us today. We appreciate your leadership and the Department's efforts to support veterans.

I have three comments about the budget request.

First, Congress has always prioritized veterans and will continue to do so. I anticipate we will fully fund veterans' healthcare and other programs in FY24.