Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Good morning.

The subcommittee will come to order.

This is the first hearing for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the 118^th 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.

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.