Remarks

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present H.R. 933, the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year. This legislation provides funding for essential federal programs and services, helps maintain our national security, and takes a potential shutdown off the table.

The House passed a very similar version of this bill two weeks ago, and yesterday, the Senate passed their version of this legislation. Now, it is back before the House today for our final stamp of approval.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present H.R. 933, the Department of Defense and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations, and Full-Year Continuing Resolution for fiscal year 2013.

Good afternoon, Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Slaughter and members of the Committee. I am here before you today to present H.R. 933, a Continuing Resolution to provide funding for the remainder of the 2013 fiscal year, and to provide full-year appropriations for the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Good morning. Thank you all for coming. This hearing today is critically important. This week, our national defense will face serious and dangerous sequestration cuts, as well as potentially damaging constraints if the current DoD funding structure is simply extended for the remainder of the fiscal year. While it is not within this Committee's power to solve sequestration at this time, it IS within our jurisdiction to try and help loosen the chains and allow the Department some funding flexibility in order to do its best with what it has.

The Committee will come to order.

Hello, everyone. Welcome to the first meeting of the Committee on Appropriations for the 113^th Congress. I'm looking forward to a busy, successful year chock full of plenty of Appropriations work.

The main order of business today is the consideration and adoption of our Committee rules, subcommittee jurisdictions, and oversight plans.

Before we get down to the nitty gritty, I would like to make some general opening remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present legislation providing emergency supplemental funding for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery.

The base bill totals $17 billion in crucial funding to meet immediate needs for the victims, businesses and communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Since this terrible storm hit, we have come to realize that recovery is going to take months and years – not days and weeks. This legislation puts the region on the path to recovery by providing the aid needed for immediate relief, while also beginning the process of meeting longer-term recovery needs.

Good afternoon, Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Slaughter and members of the Committee. I am here before you today to present legislation providing urgently needed funding for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery.

I am sure I don't need to explain to you why it is crucial we consider and pass this legislation, given the size and scope of the devastation caused by this storm. It's clear that recovery from this terrible hurricane is going to take months and years, not days and weeks, and thousands of victims are currently awaiting much-needed assistance.