Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (116th Congress)
I want to thank Chairman Serrano and Ranking Member Aderholt for their work on the fiscal year 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill, and for their leadership on this Committee.
From efforts to combat criminal threats and protect children, to programs that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, this bill supports many important priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle.
It helps our nation's innovators and manufacturers and invests in cutting-edge research and technology.
I commend Chairman Serrano and Chairwoman Lowey for maintaining provisions that protect life.
However, there are several items that concern me. For example, long-standing language carried for many years to protect Second Amendment rights is stripped from the bill.
Also, the bill makes new investments in science, but only selectively. For example, there is not a penny more for NASA.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.
Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.
- Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
- Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
- $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.
In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.
WASHINGTON – Today, the subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, and Science; Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development; Financial Services and General Government; and Defense met to consider their appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021. The measures were reported out to the full committee with concerns raised by Republicans.
Chairman Serrano, thank you for presenting the fiscal year 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill today.
Before we begin, I want to recognize you, Mr. Chairman, since sadly this is the last subcommittee markup you will chair.
Mr. Serrano has served in the Congress for 30 years. During his time on the Appropriations Committee, he has been the Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee and this subcommittee.
His willingness to listen to the concerns of Members of both parties from all parts of the country, as well as his great personality, will be missed.
I also want to thank the Ranking Member, Mr. Aderholt, for his leadership on our Committee and on this bill. He works hard and represents his district and the state well.
I also want to thank him for his leadership on space issues that are so important to our future.
WASHINGTON – Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) released the following statement after the House passed the CARES Act.
"Our nation is facing an unprecedented pandemic, and I am proud that Congress has come together again to provide desperately needed resources and relief to the American people.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) released the following statement on the two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations packages that fully fund the government through September 30th, 2020.
"These appropriations bills will fully fund the government and secure vital conservative wins for the President and Republicans," said Granger. "Specifically, the bills:
