Remarks
Thank you, Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Price, for your remarks and your skillful work on this bill. As a founding member of this subcommittee, I'm fully aware of the intricacies and time needed to craft such an important piece of legislation, and thanks to you and your staffs, we have a comprehensive, well-written bill before us today.
Since the Department was established nearly ten years ago, we've seen some real progress. Not only have we marked the one-year anniversary of Seal Team Six's successful mission eliminating our number-one terrorist target Osama Bin Laden, but we continue to make visible strides protecting air passengers, securing our borders, and thwarting terrorist threats.
But we are constantly reminded the war on terror is far from over. We must remain vigilant and ahead of the game.
It is my honor to present to the Committee the fiscal year 2013 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
Similar to our work over the past two fiscal years, this bill demonstrates how we can sufficiently fund vital security programs while also reducing discretionary spending overall.
It is my honor to present to the Subcommittee the fiscal year 2013 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
Similar to the Subcommittee's work over the past two fiscal years, the bill before us today demonstrates how we can sufficiently fund vital security programs while also reducing discretionary spending overall.
Good morning and welcome to the Subcommittee markup of the fiscal year 2013 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
I want to begin by thanking Ranking Member Lowey for her continued dedication to this Subcommittee. Mrs. Lowey and I have a unique relationship. While we do not agree on everything, we do have a strong working relationship and we are both invested in the important work of this Subcommittee. It is a pleasure to work with her and I respect her very much.
I want to thank all the Members of our Subcommittee – from both sides of the aisle - for their participation and thoughtful contributions to this bill. Members have been passionately engaged in the important work of the Subcommittee.
I am pleased to begin the consideration of H.R. 5326, making appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. The bill provides funding for programs whose impacts range from the safety of people in their homes and communities to the farthest reaches of space.
The bill before the House today reflects a delicate balancing of needs and requirements. We have drafted what I consider to be a responsible bill for FY 2013 spending levels for the departments and agencies under the subcommittee's jurisdiction. We've had to carefully prioritize the funding in this bill and have had to make hard choices about how to spend scarce revenue.
Thank you, Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Price. As we meet today to address the funding of the Department of Homeland Security, I wish to extend my congratulations to both of you and the subcommittee staffs on both sides who have put in long hours to craft this important piece of legislation.
This week, we mark the one-year anniversary of Seal Team Six's surgical removal of America's number one terrorist target, Osama bin Laden. While this is certainly cause for salutation, we cannot rest on our laurels. When we also learned that the CIA this week foiled a plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to bomb a U.S.-bound airliner, we were reminded that our country, our freedom and our way of life remain under constant siege - and our job is not done.
I thank the Chairwoman for yielding, and I congratulate her and Ranking Member Lowey on producing a fiscal year 2013 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill. The Chairwoman, Ranking Member, and staff on both sides have worked tirelessly to bring this important legislation before the subcommittee today.
Unquestionably, the fiscal situation confronting our nation is of the utmost importance to our national and economic security. The unsustainable trajectory of federal spending in recent years has left us in a precarious situation. With our debt-to GDP ratio at a startling 100%, it is becoming even more abundantly clear that we cannot spend our way out of continuing economic woes.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of HR 5326, the Fiscal Year 2013 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill.
The bill before you today – the first for FY13 – marks one of the earliest starts to the Appropriations process in recent memory – which is a good sign for moving these 12 bills before our September 30 deadline. I look forward to an open and transparent process as we consider each of the bills, staying faithful to our commitment to smart, reduced levels of spending to help do our part in controlling the federal deficit.
I would like to thank Chairman Young and Mr. Dicks for their remarks as well as their continued leadership involving important issues facing the Department of Defense. Mr. Dicks, we will greatly miss your leadership and expertise in this subcommittee as you leave us for greener pastures next year. In addition, I would like to commend the committee staff on their hard work and tireless efforts. I am pleased that this bill is a result of a bipartisan effort.
I thank Chairman Culberson for yielding, and I congratulate him and Ranking Member Bishop on producing a bipartisan fiscal year 2013 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The Chairmen, Ranking Member, and staff have worked tirelessly to bring this important legislation before the subcommittee today.
