Ranking Member McCollum Floor Remarks on Final 2024 Government Funding Package

WASHINGTON — House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024:

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

It is no secret that this appropriations cycle was tough.

But as the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I want to thank Chairman Calvert for working in a bipartisan manner to get the Defense bill done.

This compromise Defense bill is focused on two things - national security and our service members and their families.

I am glad that all the partisan riders have been removed.

This bill provides our service members with the training and equipment necessary to complete their missions as safely as possible.

It supports military families with a 5.2 percent pay increase.

And it includes a 5.4 percent increase to the Basic Allowance for Housing.

This bill restores at least some funding for Ukraine - through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

But the House must pass the Senate's security supplemental as soon as possible.

Madam Speaker, this minibus shows us that the only way to fund the government is on a bipartisan basis – full stop.

Let's follow this example in the next appropriations cycle.

I urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back.

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