Remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield myself three minutes.

It's my honor to bring the Fiscal Year 2014 Energy and Water bill before the membership of the House.

However, before I go through its highlights, I'd like to thank my ranking member, Congresswoman Kaptur, and all members for their participation in putting this bill together so quickly, and so responsibly.

I'd also like to recognize the hard work of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey to bring this bill, and the several others before it, to the floor under an open rule.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2217, the Fiscal Year 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations.

I'd like to thank my colleagues for their careful consideration of the MilCon Appropriations bill yesterday, and I'd like to ask them to continue these efforts on this bill today – a conscientious piece of legislation that I believe can and should pass this House on a bipartisan basis.

The bill before you today provides $38.9 billion for the Department of Homeland Security.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, it was 69 years ago this Thursday that more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded during the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France. That courageous operation, as well as the sacrifice of so many brave individuals, serves as a sobering reminder that freedom and security are in fact not free.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2216, the Fiscal Year 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.

This is the first of 12 Appropriations bills I hope to bring to the floor under regular order. Although we received the President's budget nearly 2 months late, I have every intention of drafting and considering all 12 appropriations measures in a timely fashion and in the traditional open process that allows all members to have their say in how taxpayer dollars should be spent.

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.