Roy Blunt: “I have said many times budgets are about more than numbers on a page. They really reflect our values and our priorities.”

I know I am leaving the Committee in good hands as Senator Fischer moves into the position of Ranking Member at the beginning of the next Congress.

I have been Chairman twice--let's see, I was Chairman, then Senator Shelby was Chairman, then I was Chairman again.

Through the strong, bipartisan action of this Subcommittee's leaders, Chairman Roy Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray, Congress is helping the agency regain lost ground after years of effectively flat budgets.

I am glad to get a chance to talk while Senator Manchin and Senator Collins, both good friends of mine who are here, and talk about some of the reasons for the hearing today.