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"Welcome Madam Secretary. Thank you for joining us. And thank you for all you have done, and are continuing to do, to implement the Affordable Care Act, a transformative law for American families. Before we begin, I want to make three important points to help guide our conversation this morning, and to set the record straight.

"First, and despite what we are likely to hear, Congress has spent the last few years making deep and irresponsible cuts to non-defense discretionary spending. If history is any guide, the commentary will be to suggest that spending on these vital priorities has grown – or even exploded – in the past decade. This is simply not true. Let us look at the evidence. A common means of comparing budget levels over time is to measure them relative to the size of the economy, as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product.

I'd like to thank Chairman Kingston and Ranking Member DeLauro and welcome Secretary Sebelius. I apologize for arriving late, but I was in a meeting with the Ukrainian Prime Minister and there is another hearing with Secretary Hagel.

The Department of Health and Human Services has responsibility for administering some of the most important services and initiatives, from early childhood education to seniors' nutrition. I strongly believe that this committee must increase investments in those areas to grow our economy and improve the quality of life of all Americans.

I would like to thank Chairmen Frelinghuysen and Rogers, Ranking Member Visclosky, Secretary Hagel, General Dempsey, Undersecretary Hale, and the rest of our distinguished guests.

The global environment is growing increasingly volatile, with new threats emerging every day, exemplified by the current events in the Ukraine, Syria, and Venezuela. In the fiscal year 2015 bill, we need to work together to help the Department of Defense address very serious challenges, from ending major combat operations in Afghanistan, to addressing enduring threats from North Korea and Iran, and flashpoints in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Secretary Kerry, I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming you back to our Subcommittee. Let me also say congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter last week.

Our country is fortunate to have your thoughtful, effective, and respected leadership with so many grave challenges around the world, from the crisis in Syria to the Middle East Peace Process; from nuclear negotiations with Iran to human rights abuses; and, of course, urgent concerns in Ukraine. Today we expect updates and insight into how your budget request will address these and other threats to peace, stability, and security.

Admiral Papp, we are glad to have you before the subcommittee today to discuss the Coast Guard's budget request for fiscal year 2015. And because this is your last appearance before the subcommittee to testify in support of the Coast Guard's budget as Commandant, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your service: to the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the nation.

The Coast Guard budget request is for $8.1 billion in discretionary funding, a cut of $364.1 million, or 4.5 percent, from the current year appropriation.

I'd like to thank Chairman Rogers, Judge Carter, and Ranking Member Price for their leadership. This subcommittee values our role in protecting our homeland as well as the bipartisan working relationship we foster to meet this goal.

Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary, and welcome. This is your first appearance before our subcommittee and your first opportunity to answer questions on the President's Fiscal Year 2015 budget request. I hope you will find our hearings to be both constructive and beneficial to your mission as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The relationship between the Appropriations Committee, Cabinet Secretaries, and component heads is critical to ensuring agencies have the resources they need, while protecting taxpayer dollars. We want to be your partners in helping to make the Department successful across the broad range of its mission areas. This subcommittee is inclined to be candid and probing, but I hope our questions will be fair and reasonable.

I'd like to thank Chairman Rodgers, Judge Carter, and Ranking Member Price for their leadership. This subcommittee values our role in protecting our homeland as well as the bipartisan working relationship we foster to meet this goal.