Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished gentleman and my friend from New York for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the rule before us today provides for consideration of three appropriations measures for fiscal year 2022. I first would like to start off by thanking Chair DeLauro and Ranking Member Granger and their committee staff for their tireless work on these measures. It is truly an honor to be part of the appropriations process on the committee, and I am very grateful for their efforts. Unfortunately, though, Mr. Speaker, like the package of seven funding measures considered yesterday, the majority marked these three bills to unworkable 302(b) allocations, and the package before us today stands absolutely no chance of becoming law. Collectively, these three bills provide for $147 billion in spending, which is a 13 percent increase from fiscal year 2021. Overall, the majority's proposed spending levels increase nondefense discretionary spending by 17 percent while only increasing defense spending by 1 percent. That is not even enough to keep up with inflation. This is at a time when our Nation and when our military faces threats from China, Russia, and Iran. Because of these threats, we should be investing in the U.S. and our partner nations, not underfunding our military and national security programs and obligations abroad. While H.R.…”