Remarks

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 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.

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.

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.

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.