Press Releases
Good morning gentlemen. We appreciate your appearing before the subcommittee, and we appreciate your service to the country, particularly during this time of transition for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I am hopeful that an individual will soon be nominated to be the Director of ICE; that is all the more important in light of the national debate we continue to have about reforming the immigration system. But for this morning, I am happy to have the benefit of your expertise and experience.
"Welcome Madam Secretary. Thank you for joining us. And thank you for all you have done, and are continuing to do, to implement the Affordable Care Act, a transformative law for American families. Before we begin, I want to make three important points to help guide our conversation this morning, and to set the record straight.
I'd like to thank Chairman Kingston and Ranking Member DeLauro and welcome Secretary Sebelius. I apologize for arriving late, but I was in a meeting with the Ukrainian Prime Minister and there is another hearing with Secretary Hagel.
The Department of Health and Human Services has responsibility for administering some of the most important services and initiatives, from early childhood education to seniors' nutrition. I strongly believe that this committee must increase investments in those areas to grow our economy and improve the quality of life of all Americans.
I would like to thank Chairmen Frelinghuysen and Rogers, Ranking Member Visclosky, Secretary Hagel, General Dempsey, Undersecretary Hale, and the rest of our distinguished guests.
Secretary Kerry, I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming you back to our Subcommittee. Let me also say congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter last week.
Admiral Papp, we are glad to have you before the subcommittee today to discuss the Coast Guard's budget request for fiscal year 2015. And because this is your last appearance before the subcommittee to testify in support of the Coast Guard's budget as Commandant, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your service: to the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the nation.
The Coast Guard budget request is for $8.1 billion in discretionary funding, a cut of $364.1 million, or 4.5 percent, from the current year appropriation.
I'd like to thank Chairman Rogers, Judge Carter, and Ranking Member Price for their leadership. This subcommittee values our role in protecting our homeland as well as the bipartisan working relationship we foster to meet this goal.
Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary, and welcome. This is your first appearance before our subcommittee and your first opportunity to answer questions on the President's Fiscal Year 2015 budget request. I hope you will find our hearings to be both constructive and beneficial to your mission as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The relationship between the Appropriations Committee, Cabinet Secretaries, and component heads is critical to ensuring agencies have the resources they need, while protecting taxpayer dollars.
I'd like to thank Chairman Rodgers, Judge Carter, and Ranking Member Price for their leadership. This subcommittee values our role in protecting our homeland as well as the bipartisan working relationship we foster to meet this goal.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on today’s U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the effects of across-the-board federal budget cuts:
“Today’s GAO report confirms what has long been apparent: across-the-board cuts mandated by sequestration damaged the federal government’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities as the American people expect and deserve.