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Testifying on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management is Dr. Brian Steed. Dr. Steed has served as the bureau’s Deputy Director for Policy and Programs since 2017 and is currently exercising the authority of the Director. BLM is responsible for managing more than 245 million acres of federal land, primarily in the West, and its multi-purpose mission is not always easy to balance, as Members of this Subcommittee know well. Despite that, the president’s budget request for BLM is a cut of 12% from the current enacted level, including $126 million from basic, day-to-day operations. That cut will mean fewer resources to manage wildlife habitat, ensure safe and accessible recreation opportunities, and support the sustainable management of our public lands.

This morning we welcome the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Wray, in his first appearance before the subcommittee to discuss the FBI’s fiscal year 2020 budget request and related issues.

"I am particularly interested in an update on the defense health budget as it relates to the reductions to the Services’ medical corps; what the future of care looks like for our servicemembers and their families; and an update on the electronic health record system – MHS GENESIS."

"The energy future of our country depends on DOE’s vital investments to solve our toughest energy challenges. The President’s budget request harms America’s energy future, our competitiveness, our consumers, and our economy. The Trump budget also falls short in meeting our obligations to the communities that have sacrificed, and still bear the brunt of costs borne from winning World War II."

"But, and my colleagues have heard me say this, I believe this budget is cruel and reckless. This is an agency that has been historically underfunded. And now we are looking at a 10% cut. And, you say we can do more with less. But, it would appear that we are doing less with less. A lot less with less."

"Unfortunately, this Commission continues to advance policies that favor large industry players at the expense of consumers and small businesses."

"From eliminating Economic Development Administration grants, which provide funding and technical assistance to economically distressed communities, to seriously underfunding the Census, this request is completely out of touch with the needs of our constituents."

"I strongly believe in transparency and accountability. And that starts at the top of every government agency- including the Commerce Department. The Secretary has a lot of questions that he should answer directly."