Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished Republican ranking member on the committee for this time but also, more importantly, for her wise leadership of this committee. Mr. Chair, I rise in reluctant opposition to H.R. 2740, the first appropriations measure to be considered by the House for fiscal year 2020. In February, while completing the fiscal year 2019 appropriations process, I began my remarks by drawing attention to the crisis at our southern border. Four months later, the crisis is even worse, and the bill we have before us today would only throw fuel on the fire. Our committee prides itself on staying above the partisan fray, but this package significantly constrains the administration's ability to respond appropriately. The partisan policy riders are misguided and dangerous. In addition to these substantive problems, the bill before us today provides funding for numerous departments and agencies without a bipartisan, bicameral budget agreement supported by the President. Budget uncertainty is nothing new, but overall spending increases of this magnitude are neither realistic nor sustainable without a plan. While this package does provide modest increases for total defense spending, it is still $17 billion below the President's request, risking the great strides we have made to rebuild our military. Despite these challenges, Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger have worked hard to tackle many problems this year.…”