Remarks
Madam Chair, thank you for presenting the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill today.
I appreciate the work that you and Ranking Member Carter have done this year.
You have addressed many critical issues that affect military installations and our nation's veterans. You have reached 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, whether that is here on our own soil or overseas.
Unfortunately, we are only on our first day of markups, and I already have concerns about our path forward.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
Before I begin my remarks about the State-Foreign Operations bill, I want to take a moment to recognize you, Mrs. Lowey, as you begin your last appropriations season.
Nita and I took turns as chair and ranking member of this subcommittee, and we accomplished many things, even though we had policy disagreements.
At the beginning, many people questioned how the Jewish grandmother from New York and the Methodist grandmother from Texas could work together. Then, several years later, we were named to InStyle magazine's "Badass 50." That tells you everything you need to know about our relationship.
We worked together on critical issues in global health, including combating HIV/AIDS and malaria, and supporting life-saving maternal and child health programs.
I want to thank Chairman Bishop for presenting the fiscal year 2021 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriations bill.
I also want to recognize the work of the Ranking Member of the subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.
This bill funds priorities and concerns of Members on both sides of the aisle, and the programs supported have a direct impact on all Americans, every day.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of programs funded by this subcommittee.
Support is continued for our farmers and ranchers, which is a lifeline for them during this crisis after many years of economic challenges.
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4378 – a continuing resolution that will fund the government through November 21st.
"It is unfortunate that we are in this situation and have to pass this CR to keep the government open, but we cannot afford an unnecessary and costly shutdown.
"Because the budget agreement did not get enacted until August, the Senate just began working on the FY20 appropriations bills last week.
"As a result, there is simply not enough time to complete the appropriations process by the September 30th deadline.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on Senate-amended H.R. 3401, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act.
Mister Speaker, I claim such time as I may consume.
I rise in very strong support of H.R. 3401 as amended by the Senate.
Hundreds of thousands of people have arrived at the border this year. More than 100,000 have crossed each of the last three months with 144,000 in May alone.
Some of these people are coming through points of entry, but the overwhelming majority are walking through the desert or swimming the Rio Grande.
Men and women across agencies and departments have been working together night and day trying to respond to the overwhelming surge, and they desperately need resources to cover the growing costs.
Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on H.R. 3351, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.
Mr. Graves, thank you for yielding.
I appreciate the work that you and Chairman Quigley have done to craft the Financial Services and General Government bill for fiscal year 2020.
The bill includes many priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle, such as support for small businesses, drug control programs, and the Treasury Department's counterterrorism and financial intelligence efforts.
However, I am concerned that there are several controversial items in the bill regarding immigration policy, the border wall, collective bargaining, and many other provisions that will tie this Administration's hands.
Regarding the District of Columbia, this bill fails to provide appropriate oversight.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on H.R. 3401, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act.
Madam Speaker, I claim such time as I may consume.
Almost two months ago, the Administration sounded the alarm about the crisis at our southwest border and told the Congress additional funds were needed.
Unfortunately, this border supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 3401, falls short and will only further delay addressing the problem. I oppose the bill in its current form.
Hundreds of thousands of people have arrived at the border this year. Some are coming through points of entry, but many are crossing through the desert or the Rio Grande.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on H.R. 3055, a five-bill appropriations package.
Mister Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3055.
Unfortunately, this appropriations bill and the bill that just passed the House are written to an unrealistic topline funding number - $176 billion above current budget caps.
We still do not have consensus on a budget agreement for fiscal year 2020, which could lead to sequestration, resulting in devastating cuts to our military.
Moving this second appropriations package today as-is is another wasted opportunity.
The funding levels are far from what the President has requested and will support. Total discretionary funding in this bill is nearly 10 percent above fiscal year 2019.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on H.R. 2740, a four-bill appropriations package.
Mister Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2740.
The Appropriations Committee has held more than 120 hearings this year on topics ranging from our nation's defense priorities to the crisis of unaccompanied children coming to the southern border.
We have now marked up all twelve of the bills in Subcommittee and Full Committee.
Unfortunately, each bill brought before the Committee was written to an unrealistic topline funding number - $176 billion above current budget caps.
We still do not have consensus on a budget agreement for fiscal year 2020, which could lead to sequestration, resulting in devastating cuts to our military.
