Remarks

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Welcome, Secretary Mayorkas. I sincerely thank you for joining us today.

Continuing the dialogue that we had on a bipartisan basis before the Easter break will be important in the weeks to come.

I am hopeful you can provide some additional insight into the plan that you released yesterday afternoon that outlines six border security pillars to address the historic number of migrants encountered by our agents and officers.

The crisis border continues to dominate the headlines, in part because of the administration's plans to repeal Title 42 – which have now fortunately been blocked by court order, at least temporarily.

Roughly half of all migrants your agents and officers encounter illegally crossing the border are subject to removal under the Title 42 authority.

If that tool goes away, it has the potential to profoundly impact border security operations.

I want to thank the chairwoman for holding this important hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2023 budget.

Thank you also, Secretary Mayorkas for joining us. We look forward to your testimony today.

First, I want to honor Texas National Guardsman Bishop Evans.

Specialist Evans lost his life over the weekend saving two migrants from drowning.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Specialist Evans, as well as the Texas National Guard.

Illegal crossings, like the one Specialist Evans encountered, have skyrocketed under this administration.

A record number of migrants attempted to cross the border illegally last year, and we are on track for another record-breaking year.

On average, our Border Patrol Agents encounter seven thousand individuals every day. This is straining the capabilities of our processing and detention facilities.

Mister Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2471, a bill that will provide funding for the Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year.

While it has taken us far too long to get here, I am glad we were able to produce a bill that includes many funding priorities that I support.

Since last summer, I have made it clear that House Republicans wouldn't oppose appropriations bills unless they:

• Increase defense spending,
• Restrain non-defense spending,
• Include all long-standing policy provisions, and
• Do not include any poison pill riders.

After months of negotiations, we reached a deal that meets all four of these criteria.

The bill before us:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill to provide funding for the heroes in our National Guard and Capitol Police, as well as the brave people of Afghanistan who supported our troops overseas.

While I am disappointed that it has taken this long to reach an agreement, the bill before us today is a strong package that deserves our support.

This bill:

• Reimburses the National Guard, the Capitol Police, and their law enforcement partners for the cost they incurred for their heroic efforts on January 6th; and
• Addresses safety and security concerns by providing necessary improvements to the Capitol complex.

The bill also provides much-needed assistance to our partners who supported our military during the war in Afghanistan.

This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4346, the fiscal year 2022 Legislative Branch appropriations bill.

I wish I could support this important piece of legislation, but unfortunately, it has too many flaws, and it does not reflect the type of bipartisan agreement that we must have to complete the appropriations process this year.

At a time of record-high deficits and debt, now is not the time to double-down on increasing domestic spending.

This bill alone includes a nearly 13% increase over current levels.

The bill also includes riders that are more appropriately addressed by authorizing committees, specifically related to immigration policy.

In addition, the committee report is loaded with unnecessary, partisan requirements for the Capitol Police that will make it more difficult for them to carry out their mission.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4373, the fiscal year 2022 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill.

This bill has many fatal flaws, in spite of Republican efforts to improve it. The concerns raised during markup were not addressed, and many of the amendments we offered at the Rules Committee have not been made in order on the floor today.

I'll begin with our list of major complaints.

To put it simply, the spending level is too high, and the policies are too controversial.

This bill alone includes a 12% increase over current levels, with $3 billion directed to climate change programs like the green climate fund.

For the sake of generations to come, we cannot afford to spend like this.

In addition to these unrealistic spending levels, the Majority has made policy decisions that will complicate any attempts to come to a bipartisan agreement.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4502, a package of seven fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills that will be considered by the House this week.

I wish the circumstances were different and I could support this important piece of legislation that funds critical programs.

Unfortunately, after months of committee hearings and markups, this year's bills have too many fatal flaws.

First, there is no agreement between Republicans and Democrats on the topline spending level for appropriations.

Second, there is no bipartisan agreement on the funding level for each individual bill. To put it simply, non-defense spending is too high and defense spending is too low.

Third, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have included the most alarming policy changes I have ever seen.

Thank you, Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole, for allowing me to testify on H.R. 4502, a package of seven fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills.

I wish the circumstances were different and I were here speaking in favor of this important piece of legislation.

Unfortunately, there is not bipartisan support, so I am here to ask the Rules Committee to allow amendments to H.R. 4502, so that it can be improved.

I want to begin by acknowledging the tireless efforts of our full committee chair, Ms. DeLauro, and the subcommittee chairs and ranking members who will be testifying today.

In addition to having a rigorous hearing schedule, in just ten days we held twenty-four markups. It is quite an accomplishment to be sitting before you with all of our bills reported out of committee.