Hearing of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Rogers, Hearing on the FY2014 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

Hearing

Chairman Carter, thank you for yielding. I congratulate you and Ranking Member Price for producing a fiscal year 2014 Appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security.

I want to thank you and the members of this subcommittee for your commitment to regular order, even in the face of an atypical budgetary situation. I believe Ranking Member Lowey will agree with me that it is paramount for this committee to report all 12 appropriations bills in a timely, thoughtful manner -- and as we continue our shared march forward this week, I look forward to working with all of you to see these bills through to the finish line.

Unfortunately, the tragic events in Boston last month serve as a painful reminder that we must be ever vigilant in defending our precious homeland from threats foreign and domestic. This critical responsibility is surely made more difficult in the tough budgetary climate under which we are operating. The bill before us today, however, takes important steps to enhance our frontline security operations while exercising fiscal restraint and robust oversight. No doubt, this was a tough balancing act, but I'm pleased that this bill includes vital resources to keep our borders, coastlines and airways safe and provides our first responders with the tools and assistance to ensure an effective local response to unforeseeable emergency situations and acts of nature. And the bill holds DHS accountable for these resources with spend plan and reporting requirements, staunch acquisition oversight, and a number of staffing requirements.

I urge the subcommittee to promptly report this bill to the full Committee. Thank you, and I yield back.

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