Remarks

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

First, I want to thank the subcommittee chair, Ms. Roybal-Allard, and the ranking member, Mr. Fleischmann, for their work on this Homeland Security appropriations bill. It's a very important bill, and I know you have put a lot of work into this.

I know that you both work extremely hard to find common ground. Unfortunately, there are just too many differences of opinions in this year's bill, and I am going to have to oppose it in its current form.

To put it simply, the bill before us today proposes funding levels and policies that fail to address the illegal immigration crisis we are currently experiencing in this country.

If we are going to get serious about stopping migrants from making the dangerous journey to the United States, then we cannot include some of the things in this bill, such as:

I want to thank Chairman Price for presenting the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill today.

I would also like to thank my friend, Mario Diaz-Balart, the ranking member of this subcommittee.

This bill supports key transportation infrastructure and safety programs, including highways, rail, and ports.

The funding provided for airport infrastructure and air traffic control will be critical for the aviation industry as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

It is time for our investments in the FAA to provide real benefits to the traveling public, so I am pleased to see that this legislation includes programs that move air traffic modernization forward.

Many of the housing programs in this bill provide a critical safety net to working families, the elderly, and the disabled.

Chairman Cartwright, thank you for presenting the Fiscal Year 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

I also want to recognize and thank my friend, the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Aderholt.

I know both of you have worked together to address priorities of members on both sides of the aisle.

The Commerce-Justice-Science bill always supports initiatives that:

• Strengthen the ability of the United States to be competitive around the world,
• Invest in cutting-edge research and technology, and
• Protect children and our communities.

Unfortunately, this year's bill is overshadowed by partisan politics and unbalanced spending priorities.

This comes at a time when we know our nation is facing increasing threats on a daily basis, such as:

Madam Chair, I thank you for bringing forward the Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill today.

I also want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Simpson, for his leadership on this subcommittee.

As a result of your work, this bill addresses the priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the American people.

In particular, I appreciate that the bill continues significant funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for navigation and flood control projects that are so important to our economy and public safety.

Unfortunately, just like with the other bills the committee has considered, this bill is based on a funding framework that lacks bipartisan support.

I am also concerned that the funding decisions in this bill could leave us vulnerable to countries that do not have our best interests at heart.

I want to thank the chair for presenting the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill.

Chair DeLauro unveils this bill today as the leader of our full committee and the subcommittee.

I know she has worked extremely hard to have the opportunity to hold both of these positions, and I have great respect for her dedication to these issues.

I also want to thank Mr. Cole, who serves as both the vice ranking member of the full committee and the ranking member of this subcommittee.

I appreciate Tom's ability to find common ground when it is necessary, but also to clearly highlight when the parties disagree.

I need to begin my remarks today by noting concerns that he and I share about this year's Labor-HHS bill.

This bill, like several other bills we have seen brought before this committee, is based on a topline funding level that only the majority party has agreed to.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

First, I want to thank Chairwoman Lee and Ranking Member Rogers for their work on this State and Foreign Operations bill.

I want to also thank the chair for including the full amount for Israel - $3.3 billion. Full funding makes it clear that the members of this committee are steadfast supporters of our great ally and partner.

Funding was also maintained at the current level for other key partners in the Middle East, such as Egypt and Jordan.

I hope the chair will work with us to ensure that the conditions on aid to Egypt do not prevent funding from reaching one of our most reliable partners in the region.

Unfortunately, there are many troubling issues with this bill.

This bill is based on a topline funding level that only the Majority Party has agreed to.

First, I want to recognize Chairwoman Pingree and Ranking Member Joyce for their work on putting this Interior and Environment bill together.

As a result of their efforts, this bill addresses priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the conservation of our natural resources.

Even though the bill funds many shared priorities, I have concerns about our path forward.

The bill eliminates several long-standing, common-sense provisions that have had bipartisan support for many years.

Instead, the bill includes controversial provisions that would limit domestic energy, timber, and mineral production.

I am also concerned about the level of spending proposed. Numerous agencies in this bill would receive double-digit percentage increases.

The Environmental Protection Agency is one example, and it is funded at an unprecedented level.

Thank you, Chair DeLauro.

I appreciate the work that Chair Wasserman Schultz and Ranking Member Carter have done this year on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill. Thank you for reaching across the aisle to fund many projects important to our Members.

Unfortunately, this bill is based on a funding framework that the Majority Party developed without Republican support.

This difference of opinion on both funding priorities and policy positions could slow down our appropriations process this year.

There is nothing more important than funding our nation's military and veterans, and we must try to resolve these disagreements so that important bills like this one can be signed into law.

One area that is particularly concerning in this bill is that it fails to include long-standing language prohibiting the transfer of detainees currently at Guantanamo Bay to the United States.