Ranking Member Espaillat Statement at the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request Hearing for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Congressional Office for International Leadership

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's fiscal year 2025 budget request hearing for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Congressional Office for International Leadership:

Good morning. Thank you Chairman Valadao, congratulations, and welcome to the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. I look forward to working with you.

Ms. Sargus, Dr. Pugh, and Mr. Crane. Thank you all for testifying today on behalf of your Agencies. Your agencies play a vital role in advancing workplace rights and providing future Leaders with the tools required to develop and support Democracy.

I believe this is the first time that this subcommittee has held a hearing for the Stennis Center. Welcome Dr. Pugh. I look forward to hearing about the good things the Center is doing for our congressional staffers and emerging leaders.

The Center has had the same request for at least 14 years. I am interested in learning how the Center manages to produce such a great program consistently with a flat request.   

I am also excited to hear about the needs of the Congressional Office for International Leadership. Your fiscal year 2025 request is $7.2 million, an increase of $1.2 million over the fiscal year 2024 enacted totals. As the first and only Dominican American to serve in Congress, I am encouraged by the international outreach of your organization to share American politics, accountable governance, and citizen diplomacy.  Your request is timely as we must continue to connect new generations to our democratic system which is the foundation of our America, a melting pot and diverse nation.

Mr. Crane. Congratulations on your promotion to Executive Director of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. I look forward to your testimony regarding the great works of your organization and your fiscal year 2025 request for $8.6 million which is an increase of 5.42 percent above the fiscal year 2024 enacted levels. I am very supportive of the work you do, especially at a time when Republicans in Congress continue to file bills that undermine labor rights, eliminate OSHA, and roll back wage protections.

Thank you all again for being here and I yield back.