WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks at the House Committee on Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the FY 2027 National Security, Department of State Bill. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

"Thank you, Mr. Alford. I want to thank the Chairman, as I said, and I certainly want to thank the Ranking Member, Ms. Frankel, for her leadership in bringing forward a bill that achieves, for the most part, a bipartisan consensus on some of our issues. But clearly, as has been indicated by our Ranking Member and our Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, I'm disappointed, as I know they are, in the reductions the majority included in this bill, chiefly with regard to our support for Ukraine. I have introduced an amendment to address that, and I'll speak about that at that time. At present, however, let me just say that the people of Ukraine and their leaders are not the only ones looking carefully at the level of support we include in this bill. The Kremlin is watching. The Chinese government is scrutinizing it as well. Let us be mindful of the signals we are sending to our adversaries, and not just our friends, not only with respect to the military side, but also with respect as to this - to the area of where we need to give aid and help to people who are struggling in the world, the soft weapons that we talk about.

"We can do better. We should do better to ensure that Ukraine has all the resources needed to complete the liberation of its sovereign territory, and to strike a blow against the forces of autocracy and all who would say, 'I just take what I want.' The era of that history should be over. The rules-based international order led by America since the end of the Second World War delivered the greatest period of peace and prosperity ever experienced. We must not retreat in our role of leadership in this area. If we want to keep that going, it's up to us to lead in preserving that order. Ukraine is fighting to do just that. If they lose, we lose. If they win, so do we, as does the free world. I'm glad that this bill continues to robust bipartisan support for Israel's security and the close U.S.-Israel security cooperation that delivers so many benefits to both our nations. No matter what one's views are on the current politics in both the United States and Israel, ultimately, our nation shares a bond that goes beyond politics or personalities. It's about shared values and democratic ideals, and our commitment to [the] U.S.-Israel relationship is one that is rooted in a respect for history, justice, and the fight against global antisemitism.

"With regard to how this bill was brought forward, I'm disappointed not only in the bill that I am the Ranking Member [of], but this bill as well, and as I understand almost every other bill we consider where we have not had the hearings appropriate to give us the information that we need. That lapse, in my opinion, weakens this bill and the other bills that we're considering. But I want to thank both [the] Chairman and Ranking Member and the staff who've worked hard on both sides for writing a bill that reflects what we've called 'an attempt at the psychology of consensus.' We haven't reached it in this bill, as the Ranking Member indicated, and the Ranking Member of the full committee. That is, it's aimed towards reaching bipartisan agreement instead of toward furthering partisan conflict. I know that the Chairman and Ranking Member will continue down the road with this bill as they complete this [process]. This bill is close, and I hope we can improve and strengthen it. Thank you, [and] I yield back."