Granger Remarks at Financial Services and General Government FY22 Full Committee Markup

Jun 29, 2021
Statements

Thank you, Madam Chair, for yielding.

First, I want to recognize Chairman Quigley and Ranking Member Womack for their work on putting this Financial Services bill together.

In many cases, the bill before us reflects priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle, such as support for small businesses, drug control programs, and counterterrorism and financial intelligence efforts.

However, I am concerned that there are several controversial items included in the bill related to immigration policy, union activities, and school choice for low-income students in the District of Columbia. 

It is also disappointing that the bill does not include long-standing pro-life provisions regarding the use of D.C. local funds and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. 

Regardless of where one stands on the issue of abortion, a recent poll suggests the majority of Americans agree that they do not want their tax dollars used to fund them.

In addition to these policy concerns, the overall funding level in the bill is simply too high, with many agencies receiving double-digit percentage increases. 

After a year of staggering levels of spending and the pandemic now nearing an end, we should be looking for ways to address our growing national debt.  Instead, this bill increases the size and reach of the Federal government.

In order for our work to produce real results in the end, we need to work together to reach a bipartisan budget agreement and reject controversial policy changes. 

With just less than 100 days left before the end of this fiscal year, we have no time to waste.

In closing, I would like to thank all of the subcommittee members and the staff for their hard work on this bill, specifically my Minority clerk, John Martens, and the Majority clerk, Matt Smith.

I look forward to addressing this bill today and urge my colleagues to consider the amendments our side will offer.

Thank you, Madam Chair, I yield back.