Press Releases
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd like to join you in welcoming my friend and fellow North Carolinian, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. I am familiar with his many accomplishments as Mayor of Charlotte, and I know we are lucky to have him leading DOT.
Mr. Secretary, your work in the rapidly growing metropolitan area of Charlotte, particularly on the LYNX light rail system and the expansion of the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, demonstrates that you know how to execute critical transportation projects. In your almost two years as Secretary, you have also seen first-hand our nation's great infrastructure needs, and I am pleased to see that your FY 2016 budget proposal requests robust, ambitious, and critically-needed funding for our nation's transportation system.
Secretary Jewell, I join with Chairman Calvert in welcoming you to the subcommittee today. I appreciate that you and Deputy Secretary Connor are here to provide insight into the fiscal year 2016 budget request for the Department of the Interior and to answer any questions we may have.
Madam Secretary, as I look over the budget request for the department, I see a budget that recognizes the responsibility that all of us have to be good stewards of our federal lands and the natural and historical resources they contain.
I am pleased that the budget request builds upon the bipartisan commitment that this subcommittee has had to further the social and economic well-being of Native Americans, especially in the area of Indian Education.
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) examined the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposed 2016 budget with Secretary Sylvia Burwell today. Secretary Burwell testified before the subcommittee responsible for funding HHS today, on which DeLauro is the Senior Democrat, in Burwell's first appearance before an Appropriations subcommittee.
In her opening remarks, DeLauro highlighted two areas:
I'd like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for holding this hearing today. Chairman Cole, welcome back to the subcommittee. It's been my pleasure working with you on these issues in the past, and I look forward to working together, with Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member DeLauro, to continue funding these important investments. And to Secretary Burwell, we are pleased to have you here today.
Chief Dine, welcome back to the subcommittee.
First, I want to thank your department, officers and civilians, for the work they do to keep us safe.
Chief Dine, as you know better than most, your mission is of the utmost importance. We have to get it right.
In previous oversight hearings, this subcommittee has stressed the need to balance security with access.
I believe we must remain diligent in pursuit of that balance. I have noticed that access has improved post sequester. Even though every entrance has not returned, lines seem to be more manageable with fewer complaints from our constituents.
However, on the security side, it is impossible not to notice internal strife within the Department.
It is unfortunately playing out in public as officers feel more comfortable speaking to the press than its own leadership.
Secretary Kerry, welcome back. You continue to represent our country with passion and dedication, and I thank you for your tireless efforts. Since you were sworn in two years ago, you have worked diligently on both Middle East Peace and Iranian nuclear negotiations; faced nonstop crisis in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine; and consistently worked to counter terrorism and advocate for human rights and humanitarian needs.
Since the last time you testified, we have seen unspeakable atrocities committed by ISIL; terrorist attacks in the heart of Europe; multiple humanitarian disasters in Africa; devastating refugee crises even on our own southern border; anti-Semitism once again dangerously on the rise; and several countries on the brink of disintegration. Diplomacy and development are needed now more than ever to address these challenges and countless other global priorities.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is good to be here this afternoon at the first of the subcommittee's seven scheduled hearings.
As we begin hearings on the FY 2016 budget requests for the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation, I would like to congratulate the Chairman on his new role. I look forward to working with you in this coming year, and I am hopeful that we can continue this subcommittee's history of bipartisanship, openness, and transparency.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Cuellar to the subcommittee, as well as the new Republican member, Mr. Jolly. We have a great roster this Congress, Mr. Chairman, and I want you to know that the Democratic Members are ready to get to work.
Secretary Kerry, welcome back. You continue to represent our country with passion and dedication, and I thank you for your tireless efforts. Since you were sworn in two years ago, you have worked diligently on both Middle East Peace and Iranian nuclear negotiations; faced nonstop crisis in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine; and consistently worked to counter terrorism and advocate for human rights and humanitarian needs.
Since the last time you testified, we have seen unspeakable atrocities committed by ISIL; terrorist attacks in the heart of Europe; multiple humanitarian disasters in Africa; devastating refugee crises even on our own southern border; anti-Semitism once again dangerously on the rise; and several countries on the brink of disintegration. Diplomacy and development are needed now more than ever to address these challenges and countless other global priorities.
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), Ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee, today announced united support of all 188 voting Democrats for their bill H.R. 861, a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that does not include poison pill riders regarding the President's executive actions on immigration.
Mr. Lopez, welcome to your first hearing before the Subcommittee. I look forward to your testimony and thank you for joining us today.
The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for providing agricultural, municipal, and industrial water supply in the West. Economies, ecosystems, and communities all rely on the availability of clean water. At a time when demand is increasing and many regions have been hit by extended drought, the Bureau is being asked more and more to provide solutions to the West's water needs while being good stewards of our natural resources. I hope to hear today how the fiscal year 2016 budget request reflects this responsibility with a reduced budget.