Statements
March 13, 2019
Statement
It is the obligation of this subcommittee to ensure that the middle class, working families and low-income families are not harmed by reckless cuts.
We will reject these cuts to health programs, medical research, public health, home heating assistance, and so many others; instead, we are going to invest in health, education, and protections for the middle class.
Mr. Secretary, I look forward to finding out whether you support these reckless cuts. I truly hope not.
March 13, 2019
Statement
First and foremost, is whether the interests of the American taxpayer are being put first – where they belong – or whether the personal financial interests of President Trump are taking precedence when GSA is making real estate and procurement decisions.
To get to the bottom of this, we will need Administrator Murphy to answer our questions truthfully and forthrightly about the construction and consolidation of a new FBI headquarters.
March 13, 2019
Statement
There is an epidemic of gun violence in our nation, and this subcommittee has a key role to play in the urgently needed response, as we oversee the federal law enforcement agencies tasked with overseeing gun dealers, investigating gun crimes, and running our background check system, among other things.
That is why I am pleased to welcome our two witnesses today, Thomas Brandon, the Deputy Director and Head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, otherwise known as the ATF, and Christine Halvorsen, the Acting Assistant Director for Criminal Justice Information Services, or CJIS at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. CJIS, among other things, operates the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, more commonly known as NICS.
March 13, 2019
Statement
After several years of increasingly severe weather events in my home state of North Carolina and around the country—and after tens of billions of dollars appropriated for disaster relief and emergency programs, much of it from this subcommittee—we must become more intentional about applying the concepts of mitigation and resiliency into our federal housing and transportation programs.
We also need to identify ways we can support these efforts at the state and local level.
March 13, 2019
Statement
The Office of Inspector General serves the important purpose to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department and works to ensure the nation’s taxpayer dollars are well spent. Under your watch, Mr. Missal, OIG sees a $21 return on investment for every dollar spent in your office.
While you are proving to be a good steward of the taxpayer dollar, VA still has many challenges that I trust are under close scrutiny by your office.
March 13, 2019
Statement
Director Krebs, congratulations on being named the first director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. We have spoken about some of the challenges you and CISA face, and I want to reaffirm my commitment to helping you address those challenges.
As you know, election security has been a major focus of this subcommittee, and for the second year in a row, we have supported significant increases to your budget to address these vulnerabilities to ensure that our election system is secure and reliable.
March 12, 2019
Statement
The Capitol Police is an essential agency of the Legislative Branch. Chief, your team is charged with keeping Congress - it’s Members, employees, visitors, and facilities both here and within our districts safe and protected from harm’s way. The men and women of the Capitol Police put their lives on the line each day to ensure Congress is able to operate efficiently. You do your jobs so that we can do ours in a safe, secure but open environment. Thank you Chief and all the officers and civilians of the Capitol Police that work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the Capitol complex.
March 12, 2019
Statement
FEMA has a demanding job. Congress has given FEMA very broad and flexible authority and a difficult mission. We ask FEMA to help people and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from some of the worst days they will ever face. FEMA employees do this frequently, and with long periods away from home and families. And we fully recognize that no matter how many times FEMA does amazing things, it is usually the things that don’t go well that get reported in the media and to members of Congress.
While this subcommittee is very supportive of FEMA, its employees, and its mission, that does not abrogate our responsibility for vigorous oversight. During this hearing, and as we work with you going forward, we intend to ask tough questions. This is not to make things more difficult, but to ensure we are fully informed as part of our responsibility to see that FEMA carries out its mission in a fast, efficient, and effective manner.
March 12, 2019
Statement
I have an abiding interest in your work and what you do. We must do everything that we can to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, and mismanagement.
And we must do all we can to assure that all of the USDA programs over which this subcommittee has oversight are operated with the best possible efficiencies – in order to create the best possible outcome for those who use the agency.
I was particularly pleased to see your annual plan for fiscal year 2019 focuses on many of the concerns of this Subcommittee. From enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, to food safety threats, to oversight of disaster assistance programs, we rely on you to conduct audits and investigations to ensure the programs we fund are run efficiently and that issues are addressed in a timely manner.
March 12, 2019
Statement
In fiscal year 2019, Treasury’s budget request stated its intent to use available funds to support investigations and other activities to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The recent decision to redirect these funds towards border fencing recklessly undermines the ability of Treasury and Homeland Security to address known threats against our financial system—and the nation.