[inaudible conversations] good morning. This hearing will come to order. I would ask consent that my written Opening Statement be entered into the record. Without objection. I want to welcome secretary kelly. This is a hearing on the department of Homeland Securitys fiscal year 2018 budget. This is the third time that the secretary has appeared before this committee, the second time as secretary of the department. And, again, we welcome you and appreciate your service to this country, many, many years of it. In lieu of my written Opening Statement, i just want to make a couple comments. Im, by vocation, im an accountant, so ive gone through budget meetingsing many, many times meetings many, many times. First, i want to just talk about the history of the budget of the department of Homeland Security. Were not quite ready for the chart. When you take a look at total Budget Authority when the department was first stood up, the first fiscal year was 2004, and the departments budget was thi
System. This is about two hours. Subcommittee will come to order. Welcome to the ways and means subcommittee on tax policy, our hearing on how tax reform will simplify our broken tax code and help individuals and families. Before we get started with Opening Statements and so forth, id like to yield to the chairman of the ways and Means Committee, congressman kevin brady for the purposes of introducing a distinguished witness who is before us today. Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman rossman, thank you for your leadership of the tax committee. Thank you for leading hearings like this that allow america to have the conversation about creating a bolder, fair, flatter and more pro growth tax code. I want to thank all our witnesses for being here today, but i want to give a special welcome to our friend, my friend, chairman bill archer, former leader of this committee and a longtime mentor of me personally. Chairman archer, thank you for being here to share your insight and your experience o
System. This is about two hours. Subcommittee will come to order. Welcome to the ways and means subcommittee on tax policy, our hearing on how tax reform will simplify our broken tax code and help individuals and families. Before we get started with Opening Statements and so forth, id like to yield to the chairman of the ways and Means Committee, congressman kevin brady for the purposes of introducing a distinguished witness who is before us today. Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman rossman, thank you for your leadership of the tax committee. Thank you for leading hearings like this that allow america to have the conversation about creating a bolder, fair, flatter and more pro growth tax code. I want to thank all our witnesses for being here today, but i want to give a special welcome to our friend, my friend, chairman bill archer, former leader of this committee and a longtime mentor of me personally. Chairman archer, thank you for being here to share your insight and your experience o
System. This is about two hours. Subcommittee will come to order. Welcome to the ways and means subcommittee on tax policy, our hearing on how tax reform will simplify our broken tax code and help individuals and families. Before we get started with Opening Statements and so forth, id like to yield to the chairman of the ways and Means Committee, congressman kevin brady for the purposes of introducing a distinguished witness who is before us today. Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman rossman, thank you for your leadership of the tax committee. Thank you for leading hearings like this that allow america to have the conversation about creating a bolder, fair, flatter and more pro growth tax code. I want to thank all our witnesses for being here today, but i want to give a special welcome to our friend, my friend, chairman bill archer, former leader of this committee and a longtime mentor of me personally. Chairman archer, thank you for being here to share your insight and your experience o
Of the first Standing Committees established by the senate. It is also one of the most powerful committees, and one of the largest. We are so grateful to the generous donors who helped make this evening possible. , independentca Community Bankers of america, leonardoor america l , and mr. Terry ehrman. Thank you all so much for making tonight possible. We will begin the evening with the presentation of the colors and the pledge of allegiance. Please rise. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated several distinguished guests have joined us this evening. Senator that cochran, chairman of the cochran, chairman Appropriations Committee, senator patrick leahy, vice chairman of the committee, several Current Community in committee members, including barbara mikulski, former chairwoman of the comm ittee. And i saw suzanne collins. Thank you for