I think this has really been a very, very good session.

Well, that's important and we do need to help. Maybe we can help think outside the box.

Currently there are no criminal penalties in place to prosecute individuals and organizations who charge improper fees for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of VA benefits claims.

I look forward to working with you on the important issues within this portfolio.

What we have got to do is figure out how we can capture those dollars.

What is the Department doing to ensure equal competition in the early MILCON process, particularly to ensure mass timber is considered?

I want to thank Senator Murray for emphasizing the quality of life issues, those are very important to her.

Yet, in 3 years since then-President Trump signed this legislation into law, DOI's backlog has ballooned by more than $14 billion to roughly $31 billion.

The way we push back against China and the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] is we produce our energy and minerals here. And we for sure don't let China come to America and own any kind of lease on federal lands--or private lands. We produce…

While this Administration seems content to just throw money at a problem and call it a day, we know oversight is essential to ensure each taxpayer dollar is spent responsibly.

Congress advanced funding to decrease the $17 billion maintenance backlog in our national parks and public lands.

I hope to hear from you on what this Administration's plan is moving forward to provide American workers with certainty, reduce permitting roadblocks, and help us build right here at home.

Well, that's important and we do need to help. Maybe we can help think outside the box.

Currently there are no criminal penalties in place to prosecute individuals and organizations who charge improper fees for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of VA benefits claims.

Our legislation, the GUARD Act, which we introduced this year along with Senator Blumenthal would address this problem and reinstate the criminal penalties.

Our public lands belong to every single American, and we want to make careers in this public service available to as many people as possible.

I have significant concerns about these proposals, starting with the fact that the Biden administration has yet to provide transparency on the staggering amount of money it has already allocated to Federal agencies.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And it is a real pleasure to be with you today, as Ranking Member of this subcommittee for our first MILCON hearing together.