Remarks

Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member McGovern, members of the Rules Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify today. I come before you today on H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act. As we sit here, the Department of Homeland Security has been shuttered by Senate Democrats for nearly 50% of the fiscal year. That’s right, since last year, we are approaching one hundred days where DHS personnel and critical missions have been left in limbo, employees have reported to work without pay, and strain has been added to the very department charged with protecting the homeland.

Good morning Ambassador Waltz, Members of the Subcommittee, and others who have joined us today for this critically important field hearing on accountability and reform at the United Nations.  We are convened at the United States Mission to the United Nations, overlooking New York City and the UN Headquarters— a fitting vantage point to note that oversight of American tax dollars is non-negotiable.

Today, the Subcommittee will hold an open hearing, in which all Members of the House have been invited to testify on their priorities for the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The Subcommittee receives thousands of Member requests per year.  Ranking Member McCollum and I carefully review these requests from both sides of the aisle. We take our constitutional responsibility to provide for our Nation’s defense seriously and will work to build the best bill in support of that responsibility.

Good afternoon and welcome to the fourth and final session of our public witness hearings for American Indian and Alaska Native programs. I want to welcome all the distinguished Tribal elders and leaders here today. Thank you to all our witnesses for appearing before the subcommittee to share your concerns and perspectives on these important topics.

The subject of today’s hearing is the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Architect of the Capitol. I’d like to thank Ranking Member Espaillat, Ranking Member DeLauro, subcommittee Members, and our witness, the Architect of the Capitol, Mr. Thomas Austin for being here today.

The subject of today’s hearing is the Fiscal Year 2027 budget requests for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). I’d like to thank Ranking Member Espaillat, Ranking Member DeLauro, our Committee Members, Acting Comptroller General Brown and Director Swagel for being here today.

Good morning and welcome to the second day of our public witness hearings for American Indian and Alaska Native programs. I want to welcome all the distinguished Tribal elders and leaders here today. Thank you to all our witnesses for appearing before the subcommittee to share your concerns and perspectives on these important topics.

The subject of today’s hearing is the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the United States House of Representatives. I’d like to thank Ranking Member Espaillat, Committee Members, our House Officers, Mr. McCumber, Mr. McFarland, and Ms. Binstead. Ms. Binstead, we welcome you to your first appearance before this subcommittee, and we appreciate your willingness to serve as our acting Chief Administrative Officer.