Remarks

Good morning.

The Subcommittee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare recesses at any time.

We welcome everyone to this morning's hearing and I will begin by recognizing myself for an opening statement.

The Defense Subcommittee will come to order.

Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony from:

• the Honorable Carlos del Toro, Secretary of the Navy;

• Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations;

Good morning. I've really been looking forward to our hearing today. First, I would like to thank all our witnesses for taking time to come speak to us today.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.