Remarks

I want to thank Chair McCollum and Ranking Member Joyce for the work they've done on many important programs supported by the Interior bill.

This bill funds priorities and concerns of Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the preservation of our natural resources.

In addition, the bill helps local communities across the country with education and safety needs, particularly in Indian country.

Even though the bill funds many shared priorities, there are several policy items that raise concern.

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

Instead, the bill adds many new poison pill riders and directives that would limit domestic energy and mineral production and prevent the Administration from reducing regulatory burdens.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

As we turn to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, I want to thank Chairwoman Wasserman-Schultz and Ranking Member Carter for the work they have done this year.

They have come together to address many critical issues that affect military installations and our nation's veterans – reaching across the aisle to fund many projects important to our Members.

This bill funds the military construction priorities that were requested by the Department of Defense, and it helps improve family housing for the military.

This bill also ensures our nation's veterans are given the care they deserve and makes certain our veterans have a dignified final resting place.

Unfortunately, as I said during the subcommittee markup, I am very concerned with the $12.5 billion dollars in emergency spending outside of the budget caps established last August.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

I want to thank Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Bishop for his hard work on this bill.

I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.

The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of programs funded by this subcommittee. For example, I am glad we were able to help children continue to have access to the meals they rely on while their schools were closed over the past several months.

Support for our farmers and ranchers has been a lifeline during this crisis after many years of economic challenges.

We also expanded internet coverage into rural areas and continue to do so with this fiscal year 2021 bill.

This bill also ensures we have safe and effective drugs, including those that are imported.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

During this time of instability around the world, it is important to remember that our investments abroad can make us more secure at home. The fiscal year 2021 bill funds many programs that would do just that.

The bill provides $3.3 billion for Israel, demonstrating our unwavering support for the security of our great ally and partner.

It protects funding for embassy security and counter-terrorism programs. The bill also includes funds to advance global health, promote democracy, and address human trafficking.

Unfortunately, while there are areas where we agree, I have serious concerns about partisan riders that have been inserted and the negative impact they could have.

As I said during the subcommittee markup, the bill includes permanent changes in law that would overturn the current Mexico City Policy.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.

Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.

• Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
• Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
• $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.

In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.

Thank you, Chairman Quigley, for presenting the fiscal year 2021 Financial Services bill today.

I also want to recognize Ranking Member Graves since this will be his last subcommittee markup. I commend him for more than a decade of service to our nation and the people of North Georgia.

During Tom's time in Congress, he has served as the Chair or Ranking Member of two appropriations subcommittees, and he is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

We all know it's not easy to reform an institution like this, which is so set in its ways, but the leadership he and Chair Kilmer have demonstrated will have a lasting impact on the House's operations for years to come.

This has been a difficult year for the Graves family. Tom's son suffered very serious injuries in a cycling accident. Tom, I understand that John has made a near miraculous recovery.

Chairman Serrano, thank you for presenting the fiscal year 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill today.

Before we begin, I want to recognize you, Mr. Chairman, since sadly this is the last subcommittee markup you will chair.

Mr. Serrano has served in the Congress for 30 years. During his time on the Appropriations Committee, he has been the Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee and this subcommittee.

His willingness to listen to the concerns of Members of both parties from all parts of the country, as well as his great personality, will be missed.

I also want to thank the Ranking Member, Mr. Aderholt, for his leadership on our Committee and on this bill. He works hard and represents his district and the state well.

I also want to thank him for his leadership on space issues that are so important to our future.

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.

The programs funded in this bill reach into all of our communities - creating more economic opportunity and improving the quality of life for the American people.

This bill continues key transportation infrastructure and safety programs, including highway, transit, and port funding - all very important to our economy.

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

I thank Chairman Price for working with Ranking Member Diaz-Balart to include many of the priorities of Members on our side of the aisle.