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I would like to welcome everyone to our second hearing of the day – a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General. Thank you to our subcommittee members and to Inspector General Gustafson for being here today.
Inspectors General serve as independent watchdogs within government and are a critical resource for Congress and for taxpayers.
Inspector General Gustafson, your office's oversight of the Department of Commerce is critical to ensuring that the immense amount of mandatory and discretionary funding appropriated to the Department is spent in the best interest of the taxpayer and consistent with the Department's mission to foster economic growth and opportunity for all.
The fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General is $53 million, an increase of $5 million – or 9% – over the fiscal year 2023 enacted level.
The Defense Subcommittee will come to order.
Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony from:
- the Honorable Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense;
- General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff;
- and Undersecretary Mike McCord, the Department's Comptroller and CFO.
The Department of Defense is requesting $825 billion within this subcommittee's jurisdiction. This is a modest increase from fiscal year 2023 levels, particularly as we enter the middle of a decisive decade for the security and prosperity of our nation and the world.
In many ways, the Biden Administration has put the United States at a serious disadvantage.
Mr. Secretary, thank you for being here today to discuss the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of State, and thank you for your service to our country.
Before I get to the budget, I want to start by raising concerns on what I believe have been serious blunders that have damaged relationships with our allies and emboldened some of the most dangerous, anti-American actors throughout the world.
Here are some examples.
The abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in the creation of 13 new Gold Star families and the horrific abandonment of those who risked their lives to help us.
Now, women and girls are trapped in their homes, unable to receive an education, and are raped, maimed, or killed if they dare to attempt to earn a living, read a book, or walk outside without a male escort.
Good morning.
The subcommittee will come to order.
This is the first hearing for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the 118th Congress. I am honored to serve as Chairman of this important Subcommittee, once again.
We have a few new Members of the Subcommittee including, Rep. Tony Gonzales, Rep. Andrew Clyde, and Rep. Jake Ellzey on this side of the aisle, and Rep. Joe Morelle.
We welcome you and the returning Members, including Rep. Aderholt, Judge Carter – who is returning to the subcommittee after an absence of several years, Rep. Cline, and Rep. Garcia, as well as Rep. Meng, Rep. Ruppersberger, and Rep. Trone.
We are fortunate to have Rep. Cartwright serving as the Ranking Member. Mr. Cartwright chaired this Subcommittee for four years, and we will benefit from his input and experience as we move forward this year.
