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I'd like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for holding this hearing today. Chairman Cole, welcome back to the subcommittee. It's been my pleasure working with you on these issues in the past, and I look forward to working together, with Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member DeLauro, to continue funding these important investments. And to Secretary Burwell, we are pleased to have you here today.
Chief Dine, welcome back to the subcommittee.
First, I want to thank your department, officers and civilians, for the work they do to keep us safe.
Chief Dine, as you know better than most, your mission is of the utmost importance. We have to get it right.
In previous oversight hearings, this subcommittee has stressed the need to balance security with access.
Secretary Kerry, welcome back. You continue to represent our country with passion and dedication, and I thank you for your tireless efforts. Since you were sworn in two years ago, you have worked diligently on both Middle East Peace and Iranian nuclear negotiations; faced nonstop crisis in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine; and consistently worked to counter terrorism and advocate for human rights and humanitarian needs.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is good to be here this afternoon at the first of the subcommittee's seven scheduled hearings.
As we begin hearings on the FY 2016 budget requests for the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation, I would like to congratulate the Chairman on his new role. I look forward to working with you in this coming year, and I am hopeful that we can continue this subcommittee's history of bipartisanship, openness, and transparency.
Secretary Kerry, welcome back. You continue to represent our country with passion and dedication, and I thank you for your tireless efforts. Since you were sworn in two years ago, you have worked diligently on both Middle East Peace and Iranian nuclear negotiations; faced nonstop crisis in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine; and consistently worked to counter terrorism and advocate for human rights and humanitarian needs.
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), Ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee, today announced united support of all 188 voting Democrats for their bill H.R. 861, a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that does not include poison pill riders regarding the President's executive actions on immigration.
Mr. Lopez, welcome to your first hearing before the Subcommittee. I look forward to your testimony and thank you for joining us today.
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), who has been recommended to be Ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, today introduced H.R. 861, a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that does not include poison pill riders regarding the President's executive actions on immigration.
Madame Chairwoman, I join you in welcoming our witnesses.
Madame Chairwoman, I join you in welcoming our witnesses.