Remarks
The Subcommittee on Defense will come to order.
Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony on the war in Ukraine.
First, I would like to welcome our two witnesses: Celeste Wallander, who serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Lieutenant General Douglas Sims II, the Director for Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We look forward to your testimony.
One year ago, the democratic nation of Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces without provocation. Over the past year, Russia has carried out brutal attacks on Ukrainian forces as well as civilians, including women and children.
Good morning. Welcome.
Today's hearing is on the quality of life for our enlisted soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and their families.
The five witnesses at the table represent the highest enlisted level of leadership for their respective branches.
This is the first time since 2019 that we've had all of the senior enlisted leaders together to testify on quality-of-life issues. They are truly an impressive group.
This hearing is a great opportunity to identify areas where we can do more to help our service members and their families.
It is also an opportunity to discuss the important connection between facilities, readiness, and quality of life.
Investing in infrastructure bolsters the military's ability to train and fight, while also ensuring our service members and their families are taken care of at home, every day.
Good morning and welcome to the first meeting of the Committee on Appropriations for the 118th congress.
The business today is to consider the Committee Rules and Subcommittee Jurisdictions.
Before we do that, I want to start by saying that serving on this committee has been one of the greatest honors of my time in Congress.
I am humbled to serve as your Chair.
We have our work cut out for us this year.
In many ways, the odds are stacked against us.
But as I look across the room, I am reminded that we – as Appropriators – always find a way to get the job done for the American people.
I am hopeful that together we will continue that great tradition.
As I lead this committee, I will focus our work on that which unites us.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2617, an omnibus appropriations package to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year.
First, I have concerns about the size and scope of this package.
It totals almost $2 trillion, and it comes after nearly $3 trillion of spending was pushed through this Congress.
This $3 trillion was enacted completely outside of the normal process and many programs received staggering increases.
This record-high spending has been a key driver of inflation.
It has led to record-high prices for the American people, for everything from gas to groceries.
Instead of reflecting the economic realities we face, the package of bills before us represents continued spending in areas that have already received large increases.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6833, a short-term continuing resolution extending government funding through December 16th.
I oppose this CR for several reasons.
First, we should be here addressing the border crisis, the energy crisis, and the inflation crisis. This bill does nothing to fix any of these issues.
In fact, this bill actually bails out the Biden Administration for their failures and provides additional appropriations to put a band-aid on some of these problems for a few more months.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
The revised allocations presented today do not change the spending levels that were adopted on a party-line vote last week. Because there are no substantive changes, I must once again oppose them.
It is unacceptable to Members on my side of the aisle to underfund our national defense while giving significant increases to the same social programs that received trillions of dollars over the last year. I hope we can find common ground as these bills move to the floor.
We will need to restore important language from prior bills, agree to remove controversial policy riders, and set responsible funding levels so that bills can get to the president's desk and be signed into law. I urge a no vote and yield back my time.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
First, I want to thank the chair and ranking member for their work on the fiscal year 2023 bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. I also want to acknowledge the committee staff for their efforts.
While this bill funds many important programs, it is based on a funding level that passed the House without Republican support. In addition to my concerns about excessive spending, the bill includes controversial policies that I strongly oppose.
Thank you, Chair DeLauro, so much for presenting the THUD bill to our committee today. I also want to thank Ranking Member Granger for her leadership and her stewardship. Thank you, Vice-Chair Quigley, for standing in today and doing such a good job for our good friend, Chairman Price. And obviously, all of our hearts go out to Chairman Price as he mourns the loss of his wife Lisa. David and Lisa were true partners, and one can just imagine the tremendous loss he is feeling.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Before I start, I want to join Mr. Diaz Balart and pause and recognize the subcommittee chair, Mr. Price. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are praying for Chairman Price and his family during this very difficult time.
Chairman Price has also decided to retire after 30 years of serving North Carolina in Congress. Chairman Price has been a dedicated public servant, both as chair of this subcommittee and the Homeland Security Subcommittee. He will certainly be missed, but I wish him all the best, and I know you all do, in his next chapter.
