Press Releases
February 29, 2012
Our responsibility is to ensure that the dollars provided by the American taxpayer for the weapons complex are spent pursuant to a coherent strategy and as wisely as possible. I want to make clear to you that there is nothing I take more seriously in my role as a Member of Congress than the issues surrounding the decisions of war and peace in general, and nuclear weapons in particular.
Issues:Energy and Water
February 29, 2012
During this time of fiscal restraint, you have been asked to tighten your belt. In doing so, I question whether this budget is properly balanced in a way that maintains critical operations without robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Issues:Homeland Security
February 29, 2012
This budget supports historic transitions to democracy, rebuilds agricultural systems, confronts growing environmental challenges, helps communities affected by humanitarian disasters and disease, and drives sustainable development by forming new partnerships with companies, universities, NGOs, and philanthropies.
Issues:State, Foreign Operations
February 29, 2012
In a time that the role of government, the size of government and the very function of government if being questioned at unprecedented levels, I believe that it is important that we also analyze the vital role government plays to help improve our lives and increase safety and access to quality medication.
Issues:Agriculture
February 28, 2012
Even though the economy continues to show signs of a recovery to many people continue to on hang by a thread. Families are barely making ends meet, and in many cases the reason they still are putting food on the tableor do not have to choose between paying bills or food---is because food programs such as SNAP and WIC are there to help.
Issues:Agriculture
February 28, 2012
I am pleased that President Obama continues to recognize the energy challenges facing this nation with this budget request and I appreciate the budget's strong statement that America 'will not cede leadership in clean energy.'
Issues:Energy and Water
February 17, 2012
This agency has been the largest contributor to the poor and hungry. And in my opinion will lead the way forward as the provider of nutritional food for a healthier America. For a century and a half, the USDA has been there to help rural Americans. It has been there to protect our nation's food supply. And it has been there to offer food assistance to families when they are most in need. Today, the mission of the USDA has never been more important.
Issues:Agriculture
February 16, 2012
As I look over your budget request Mr. Secretary, I am struck by the wide-ranging responsibilities carried out by the Department of the Interior. I welcome your efforts to balance these responsibilities as a steward of significant aspects of America's natural and cultural heritage.
Issues:Interior and Environment
February 15, 2012
The 2013 discretionary budget request for the Department of Homeland Security is $39.5 billion, plus an additional $5.5 billion in disaster relief funding that does not count toward the discretionary cap. At roughly the same level as 2012, this budget represents the first time an Administration has not sought an increase for homeland security activities since the Department was formed. Like all federal agencies, you have been asked to do more with less, and this has required some tough decisions.
Issues:Homeland Security
January 18, 2012
Today the House and Senate conferees have filed a conference report containing the nine remaining Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations bills, none of which resorts to a continuing resolution mechanism for funding. The conference report funds the government at a level that is consistent with the Budget Control Act, and I am pleased that we were able to resolve the major disagreements that Democrats expressed regarding legislative provisions inserted by House Republicans into several of these bills.