Granger Remarks at Energy and Water Development FY22 Full Committee Markup

Thank you, Madam Chair, for yielding.

First, I want to recognize Chairwoman Kaptur and Ranking Member Simpson for their work on putting this Energy and Water Development bill together. 

As a result of their work, this bill addresses the priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle and does many good things for the American people.

In particular, I appreciate that the bill continues significant funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for navigation and flood control projects that are so important to our economy and public safety.

Unfortunately, just like with the other bills the committee has considered, this bill is based on a funding framework that lacks bipartisan support.

I am also concerned that the funding decisions in this bill could leave us vulnerable to countries that do not have our best interest at heart.

For example, the bill significantly underfunds efforts to modernize our nuclear weapons complex.

We must have a reliable and effective nuclear deterrent to ensure our national security.

On the non-defense side of the bill, funding priorities are focused primarily on activities that will reverse the gains in energy independence we've made over the past decade.

The approach taken in this bill will actually cause us to increase our dependence on China for critical minerals. 

A bipartisan agreement on the overall funding framework would allow us to better address these national security concerns.

I hope we can resolve these issues in a timely manner so this year’s appropriations bills can be signed into law.

In closing, I would like to thank all of the subcommittee members and the staff for their hard work on this bill, specifically our minority clerk, Angie Giancarlo, and the majority clerk, Jaime Shimek.

Thank you, Madam Chair, I yield back.