Chair DeLauro Statement at Public Witnesses Hearing

2021-05-19 10:04
Statement

House Appropriations Committee Chair and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) delivered the following remarks at the subcommittee's Public Witnesses hearing:

Welcome to the Labor, HHS, Education appropriations subcommittee for our annual Public Witness Day.

Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of our witnesses—both the witnesses in attendance today and the ones who are submitting written testimony for the record.

Thank you for your hard work on behalf of millions of Americans who benefit from programs funded through our bill.

This afternoon we will hear from 23 witnesses covering all aspects of this subcommittee’s jurisdiction.

As we will hear today, the programs in the Labor-HHS-Education bill equip our nation to deal with public health emergencies. They fund lifesaving biomedical research. They level the playing field for low-income children looking to get a good education. They help Americans get the skills they need to find a job as the country recovers from simultaneous public health and economic crises. 

I am pleased to say the Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the importance of these programs. While the President’s full budget for fiscal year 2022 will be released next week, on May 27, we know the President is proposing strong investments in the programs we will be discussing today:

  • Department of Education: $103 billion, an increase of nearly $30 billion over the 2021 level (+40%)
  • Department of Health and Human Services: $119 billion, an increase of $22 billion over the 2021 level (+23%)
  • Department of Labor: $14 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion over the 2021 level (+13%)

These programs directly impact the lives of Americans across our country, especially children, families, and seniors. 

As we draft a new bill for fiscal year 2022, it is important to hear from the public about their top priorities—in fact, I would say today’s hearing is one of the most important things we do.

I very much look forward to today’s testimony.

Subcommittees: 
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (117th Congress)
117th Congress