Remarks

"The agencies and programs in this Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill will receive a total of $125.5 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding, a reduction of more than $7 billion from the President's request. We reduced discretionary spending by $2.7 billion from last year's level – a cut of more than $5 billion from the President's request.

"I appreciate having the opportunity to speak on this bill as we move forward with the 2012 appropriations process.

"The fiscal situation confronting our nation is of immediate importance, and hard choices simply can no longer be put off onto our children in the name of political expediency. This bill reflects your commitment, Mr. Chairman, and that of the whole Committee, to scour each line of the President's budget in search of savings.

"We have before us today the Chairman's mark of the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill and report for Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Members and staffs have had 24 hours to review the bill language. Staff has had an opportunity to review the report.

"Our discretionary 302(b) allocation in budget authority is $17.25 billion, and we are exactly at that level. This is a tough allocation and it represents funding cuts across the entire bill.

"We can all agree that our nation's service-members and veterans deserve the utmost quality of care and respect for their service and sacrifice, and it's a pleasure to be able to support them.

"This bill funds the most pressing needs of our nation's service-members and their families, as well as our veterans, while also acknowledging the need to rein in federal spending in a time of historic and dangerous deficits.

"It's been a pleasure to work with my Ranking Member, Mr. Bishop, in this inaugural year of my Chairmanship. He has been by my side through every hearing we have had this year, providing thoughtful insights. His prior experience with the agencies has been most helpful.

"The bill before you was posted yesterday morning, and you and your staffs have had an opportunity to review it. In addition, the Subcommittee staff briefed all of your staff yesterday.

"As President Eisenhower famously said, our country is entitled to both safety AND solvency. ‘We need an adequate defense, but every arms dollar we spend above adequacy has a long-term weakening effect upon the nation and its security,' he said. In that vein, this bill maintains the crucial measures that keep our citizens safe while also protecting them from the very real dangers of uncontrolled debt.

"I want to welcome everyone to the first meeting of the full Committee for the 2012 Appropriations process. We started this year in uncharted territory with none of the 2011 appropriations bills passed into law, and in fact most of the bills not having made it past Subcommittee. That led to a very difficult 4 months and a seemingly endless CR process for 2011.

"It is my honor to present to the Committee the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security.

"This bill before us today, perhaps more than any other bill, exemplifies the difficult choices that need to be made in order to address our Nation's fiscal crisis.