Remarks
Thank you, Madam Chair, for yielding.
First, I want to thank Chair McCollum and Ranking Member Calvert for their work on the fiscal year 2022 Defense appropriations bill.
As the former chair of this subcommittee, I know how much hard work goes into drafting this bill and how important it is.
I also want to acknowledge the efforts of the committee staff, specifically our minority clerk, Johnnie Kaberle, and the majority clerk, Chris Bigelow.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I would like to Chair Roybal-Allard and Ranking Member Fleischmann for your work on this Homeland Security appropriations bill for fiscal year 2022.
I know that you both try to work together when it is possible, but unfortunately, there are just too many differences of opinion in this year's bill, and I oppose it in its current form.
To put it simply, the bill proposes funding levels and policies that fail to address the illegal immigration crisis we are currently experiencing in this country.
