Press Releases
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), the Ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today delivered the following opening statement at a Subcommittee hearing on the U.S. Secret Service's budget request for Fiscal Year 2016. The hearing's witness was U.S. Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy.
Good morning, Dr. Danielson, Dr. Orr, Secretary Smith and Hoffman, Mr. Kotek, we are so glad to have you all here today. Thank you all for being here today to present your 2016 program requests.
It is no secret that United States reliance on foreign energy imports—America's number one category in our trade deficit—presents a significant strategic threat, as well as a drain on our economy in terms of jobs and productivity. Last year, we turned a corner, producing more energy than we imported. Your offices deserve a great deal of credit for your accomplishments.
Acting Administrator Lenhardt - as a fellow New Yorker I welcome you to our Subcommittee. I look forward to discussing the President's vision for development and global health. We cannot build the world we want for ourselves and future generations without a strong, stable, and well-resourced development policy.
I would like to thank Chairman Dent and Ranking Member Bishop for holding this important hearing. I would also like to welcome Secretary McDonald and all of our distinguished guests this afternoon.
First, I would like to thank Chairmen Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Visclosky for this hearing. Also, I want to welcome incoming Secretary Carter, General Dempsey, Undersecretary McCord, and the rest of our distinguished guests.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you holding the hearing.
Defense Secretary Carter and Undersecretary McCord, we look forward to hearing you testify before the Subcommittee for the first time in your current roles.
General Dempsey, I understand today's hearing may be your last official appearance before the Defense Subcommittee as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Your steady leadership has helped the Services navigate some very tumultuous years. We thank you for the dedication and sacrifice you and your family made during your 40 years of service.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on House passage of the 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations Act:
"I am pleased the House has finally passed the 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, providing critical agencies the resources they need to protect our borders, ports, aviation system, and communities.
"Thank you very much Mr. Chairman and good morning to everyone. It is a little earlier than we usually start these hearings, but this is such an important topic that it was important to all of us to have the opportunity for the full two hours with the distinguished panel. I am so thrilled to welcome Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, Drs. Fauci, Volkow, Insel, Lorsch, and Gibbons, to discuss the 2016 budget request for NIH.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on Senator Barbara Mikulski's announcement that she will not run for re-election in 2016:
"The Republican majority's continuing failure to enact a FY15 Homeland Security Appropriations bill is a staggering display of legislative incompetence.
"Democratic and Republican negotiators reached a deal on Homeland Security funding levels and related policy issues in December. Republican leadership made the political calculation to hold this funding hostage to ideological policy riders reversing the President's executive actions on immigration.