Betty McCollum

The Chaplain Corps is really, really important. I know that from Guard deployments to being with Active Duty in that, the work that they do is really important.

I know my colleagues and I share concerns about the current situation in Ukraine, and we need to hear your assessment of Russia's intentions.

We need to remember that we had COVID. You know, it is still among us, affecting some of our productivity.

I also continue to have serious concerns about China's investments as well as their aggressive and coercive behavior in European countries.

President Biden's proposed budget is an increase for DOD of $11 billion.

Just for the record, I too am disappointed we don't have a full budget in front of us.

However, no amendments were ruled in order and no further debate or consideration could be made.

there is another way we can mine and it is recycling.

I am so glad we are back in the Paris climate accord because if we are not looking at this through a whole of government and working internationally with allies and finding new partners in this, it is just going to increase the conflict.

We made advancing environmental justice a priority, increasing the funding for the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice by 75 percent over 2 years.

So President Biden's plan to consider 30 percent of the land and water by 2030 is something that I am all supportive of.

I want to particularly just say that this priceless lumber, it is going to rebuild the heart of our democracy.

I was proud to provide the EPA with the increased funds for the scientific and regulatory work to establish drinking and clean water standards for PFOS.

let's have the full discussion and not just pick and choose what we want to talk about.

Your leadership hails a new era of government-to-government relationships with Tribal nations.

I am absolutely thrilled that you are here with us today in your new role leading the Department of the Interior.

we really don't, and as a people, we don't place a value on water.

I am proud that we won that fight, and, in fact, we increased the EPA's funding during my 2 years as chair.

I included language in our House report to increase funding for Urban Connections and to boost our regional-wide opportunities.

I just wanted to re-emphasize my support for the Forest Service retaining its ability to deny consent for mineral leases and other activities that you might feel threaten the land, especially the water you manage.

I hope that we can count on you, especially in working with Tribal consultation, honoring their trust and treaty obligation.

Those experiences are not equally accessible to all Americans, especially many of our youth.

The crisis that has been facing the arts and the humanities is just so important to our economy, and it is a job engine.

I am so excited about the opportunity of working with you in this new direction that President Biden has moved us forward on.

I was especially pleased to see that President Biden is proposing $936 million for a new Accelerating Environmental and Economic Justice Initiative.