Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to offer H.R. 8774, the 2025 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. I want to start by thanking Chairman Cole for his leadership in this process. I also thank the Defense Subcommittee ranking member, Ms. McCollum, for her friendship and partnership through this. Finally, I thank the Defense Subcommittee staff for their tireless work on this year's bill. H.R. 8774 provides $833 billion for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. Consistent with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, this is 1 percent, or $8.5 billion, above fiscal year 2024 enacted levels. While $833 billion is the discretionary cap, the subcommittee has little discretion over 62 percent of this bill. The funding goes toward must-pay bills, including troop and civilian pay; military benefits, medical care, and family services; sustainment of current weapons systems; fuel, utilities, IT, basic supplies; and training and education. This is to say nothing of necessary investments in major weapons systems to keep our military dominant in an intensifying threat environment. These factors are why I believe the current defense top line is too low for today's needs. Present and emerging threats mandate a robust U.S. military, which, as former Secretary of Defense James Mattis said, requires at least 3 to 5 percent real growth above inflation.…”