News
Good morning. I want to thank you all for being here today to discuss the Department of Agriculture's fiscal year 2024 budget request. Secretary Vilsack, I want to welcome you, and I look forward to hearing more about your priorities for the coming year, as well as having a discussion on other important issues under the jurisdiction of this Subcommittee.
USDA's fiscal year 2024 budget request totals $24.46 billion, an increase of $2.5 billion, or 11.5%, over last year's levels. Mr. Secretary, I'm sure it isn't news to you that the fiscal situation this country is facing is nothing short of dire. Unfortunately, the budget request you've put forward is unrealistic and unattainable. We simply cannot afford what you have proposed. I believe we need to have an honest discussion about USDA's priorities and where our constituents' hard-earned taxpayer dollars make the greatest impact.
The Biden Administration's failed border security policies have undoubtedly created a spiraling security and humanitarian crisis at our southwest border, with illegal crossings continuing to skyrocket.
Yesterday, Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas testified before the Committee, pushing a false narrative on the state of our border.
