Rogers Statement on FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Act

Jun 6, 2011
Statements

House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers gave the following statement today at the Subcommittee's mark up of the Fiscal Year 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Act:

"Thank you, Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Price. As we meet today to address the funding of the Department of Homeland Security, our nation faces more than one threat to its national security – a critical and historic deficit crisis, as well as continual terrorist threats.

“In all areas of government, we must make the most of our limited resources. When it comes to our national security, we must maintain crucial measures to keep our citizens safe while also protecting them from the real dangers of uncontrolled deficits and debt. This means prioritizing our most important and effective programs – and in many cases, making difficult choices and cuts to rein in our federal spending.

“With this bill, we put the Department of Homeland Security on a more sustainable path, encouraging more stringent oversight, trimming back budgets in less essential areas, and significantly reducing ineffective and wasteful programs, while fully funding frontline personnel, operations and programs to uphold the highest levels of national security.

“Where needed, we’ve added funding, tackling the Department’s insufficient request for disaster relief, as well as bulking up our Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and border security efforts.

“While providing the necessary resources for DHS to do its job well, this bill realistically and responsibly reforms the way the government spends its precious taxpayer dollars in a fiscal environment that requires change. This is change we intend to implement in each of the twelve bills we’ll put out this year.

“Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the unfortunate deaths of two of our Border Patrol agents yesterday. This continues to be dangerous work and we owe all our guardsmen, special agents, security officials, and first responders a debt of gratitude and our utmost respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families today and always.

“As a founding member of this subcommittee, I am proud to pass the baton to Chairman Aderholt, and I commend him on a job well-done. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I look forward to working with the fine members of this Committee throughout the rest of this appropriations process.”