UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / From the desk of Tom Cole
Under Article I of the Constitution, each fiscal year, the Appropriations Committees in both the House and the Senate are responsible for passing a series of 12 appropriations bills that regulate government expenditures and ensure the taxpayer dollar is being spent responsibly — a mission that is necessary in order for our federal government to properly function and something I care deeply about.
Now, as many know, earlier this year, I was elected as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and entrusted with the duty of leading House Republicans in the fight for conservative, Republican priorities within these Fiscal Year 2025 spending bills. Once elected, I immediately promised to do my part and ensure that all 12 Appropriations bills would be marked-up, out of Committee, and ready for the House Floor before August — and earlier this month, we delivered on that promise.
The Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations bills we have produced fulfill House Republicans fiscal commitments, as well as provide our nation with the resources for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America. Specifically, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act upholds our obligation to our nation’s veterans who have selflessly answered the call to serve, the Defense Appropriations Act will ensure our military is equipped, trained, and prepared to protect the United States, and the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act will reestablish American leadership on the global stage.
In addition to protecting our nation from threats abroad, the Appropriations Committee also utilizes our budget to meet legitimate domestic needs. For example, the Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act allocates resources to target the Biden Administration’s raging crisis at our southern border and support Border Patrol agents and officers, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act prioritizes American agriculture, food security, and safe medical supply, and the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act advances an American energy strategy that will make us stronger and safer in the future.
The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act prioritizes the safety of our nation’s transportation systems and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act invests in the health of Americans through medical research for disease treatment and cures.
The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act protects American energy and mineral independence and upholds our sacred obligations to Tribal communities. The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act makes our communities safer through law enforcement investments. The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act safeguards Congress’ right to execute strong oversight over the Biden Administration. And, lastly, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act provides much needed protection for the taxpayers and constrains bureaucratic overreach.
I am very proud to have delivered all 12 of these bills out of Committee before the deadline I set. Our duty as members of Congress is to the people and progress on our Article I responsibilities is central to that.
