Statements
May 18, 2023
Statement
After removing rescissions, the Agriculture bill provides a total funding level so insufficient that it was last seen in 2006. It is a sham proposal built on $8 billion in alleged savings that will likely not be available next year. The cuts in the bill are harmful, including slashing the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program by $500 million, cutting the Renewable Energy for America Program by $500 million, gutting investments in rural electric co-ops for clean energy and energy efficiency by $3.25 billion, eliminating loans that serve as a financial lifeline that has already helped more than 20,000 distressed farmers from keeping hardworking farmers from going into foreclosure, it’s an issue that is relevant to rural farmers, and taking food out of the mouths of veterans, children, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
May 17, 2023
Statement
Let me emphasize: the House Republicans have pledged to cut critical programs by $142 billion. And by the majority’s estimate, the bill before us today cuts more than $250 million from the Legislative Branch. Because we have not been given information about the cuts being proposed by Republicans, that means the other appropriations bills still must bear – $142 billion in cuts; this is simple math, Mr. Chairman. And it means that the across-the-board cuts of at least 22 percent to nondefense programs that would be required to meet their target and that would mean it would be will actually be much steeper for the bills that they are still holding back. Simply put, the Republicans’ plan is a house of cards.
May 17, 2023
Statement
However, in light of the recent attack on two Congressional staffers in Virginia, I am severely disappointed that this bill does not increase security enhancements for our constituents and the staff who serve them. Considering this event, we must include additional resources for the Sergeant at Arms’ District Office Security Program and expand its scope so that Members can use this program for more than just one district office. Moreover, this bill does nothing to continue the progress Congress has made in terms of expanding Capitol Hill diversity, continuing bold investments towards our crumbling infrastructure, or increasing chances to serve our constituents effectively.
May 17, 2023
Statement
As part of the Republican’s Default on America bill they just passed, they included no protections for veterans funding, despite making promises their proposed cuts would not impact veterans. Verbal promises clearly mean nothing when they could have included these protections in law – ensuring veterans funding would not be subject to political funding battles – and they made the conscious choice not to do so. On top of that, Republicans voted to immediately rescind $2 billion for veterans for claims processing and appeals, healthcare both within and outside of VA, research, and education and training for veterans. The bill before us today continues the Republican’s disturbing trend that does not protect veterans.
May 17, 2023
Statement
We need to see all the bills so we can see the full picture of how these cuts will undoubtedly affect the brave men and women who fought for our country – and that we promised to take care of. So do not tell me that Republicans are fully funding veterans’ programs. The larger Republican agenda does nothing to protect veterans from their proposed cuts.
April 28, 2023
Statement
"There is much to learn about the needs of Tribal communities – not only related to basic housing and infrastructure – but how the lack of modern and resilient housing and transportation systems impact the lives of Native Americans."
April 27, 2023
Statement
"The FTC is requesting a significant funding increase of $160 million, or 37 percent above the FY23 enacted level, for a total of $590 million. This funding would go toward additional staffing in the areas of competition and consumer protection, as well as support IT needs and expert witness testimony. This increase in resources will further empower the FTC to improve fairness in the marketplace and lower costs for American taxpayers."
April 27, 2023
Statement
"These proposed cuts would translate to the equivalent of losing 11,000 positions, or a third of its workforce, greatly damaging the FBI’s ability to protect our American people and keep our communities safe."
April 27, 2023
Statement
"Our continued investment in the DEA sends a clear signal to our adversaries on the global stage that we will not allow this attack on our people, on our communities to continue without consequence, and that those responsible will be held accountable by our justice system."
April 26, 2023
Statement
"Preventing default is an obligation that Congress has. My Republican colleagues are holding our economy hostage, linking it to the annual process of funding the critical programs that serve American families and veterans. The price of averting a catastrophic default is drastic cuts to these programs now and severe caps for the next 10 years."