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These cuts would be devastating. The safety of our communities and our transportation infrastructure depends on strong investments which, in a bipartisan way, we have been able to do in the last two years—in 2022 and 2023. They should continue to move in that direction.

What the annual spending bill can do is provide the steady investment our nation needs to move beyond a state of good repair for our transit networks and ensure these networks are as safe, resilient, and as efficient as possible. In essence, it gets us closer to closing the funding gap, leverages other public and private resources, and helps put shovels in the ground.

"Military Construction is so much more than just building bases. It’s providing modern, efficient facilities that can weather increasingly destructive natural disasters. It’s reducing our carbon footprint through energy resilience. It’s building child development centers so servicemembers don’t have to worry about the safety and security of their children. It’s remediating contaminants left behind by our Services, such as PFAS. It’s providing quality housing for our servicemembers and their families.We must continue the targeted investments we have made over the past several years in these areas to support our Airmen, Guardians, and their families the best way we can on this committee."

"Commissioner Miller – you and I have discussed the several issues that CBP has been called upon to address. From managing an increasingly complex humanitarian challenge at our border; to countering the flow of illicit drugs through our ports of entry; to combatting forced labor – CBP has never been asked to do more. As appropriators, we must ensure that you have what you need to accomplish these missions."

"NASA continues to be respected throughout the world as a leader in advancing our knowledge of the Earth, the solar system, and the wider universe, as well as in advancing human space exploration, developing new technologies with wide applications, and helping to establish more fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly aviation. It is my hope that NASA will continue to inspire young Americans to pursue STEM-related careers."

"Americans depend on the work that CDC, NIH, and ASPR does. They rely on you to stay healthy. You improve our quality of life. You ensure we are constantly developing new treatments. You protect us from public health threats, including from the Covid pandemic, which has so tragically taken more than 1 million American lives over the last 3 years. That is why I must mention how deeply concerned I am over some of my House Republican colleagues’ calls for massive spending cuts to many of the programs that keep families and communities healthy."

"The Coast Guard plays a critical role in many facets of our lives — from saving those in peril to securing our borders and ensuring our national security. The Coast Guard’s fiscal year 2024 budget request of $13.2 billion makes key investments in personnel, vessels, aircraft, and other programs that will assist in its search and rescue mission along with critical activities at our maritime border, including the interdiction of drugs and addressing the increasing flow of migrants."