Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, everyone. As we begin our final day of consideration of the fy21 spending bills, id like to thank you all for your kind words and well wishes and ask you, please, to indulge me in just a few more reflections. I came to congress in 1989, one of just 31 women in the house and senate and to this committee in 1993 alongside only six other women under the 64member panel. This body is better for the 100 women serving in the 116th congress and for the many women in the room today. Its my honor to address the full committee for my final time as the first woman chair. You know, its ironic [applaus [applause] thank you. Its ironic that back in 1993 i had to choose between serving on appropriations or ways and means. I was fortunate to be given that choice. And today, we markup my final appropriation bills in the ways and Means Committee room. I chose appropriations because i believed it was the best place to give more people a better chance at a better l
We are live on capitol hill waiting for a house markup to get underway. The Appropriations Committee is working on 2021 spending for state Department Foreign operations, agriculture and military construction. This is live coverage on cspan2. Please be seated. We are ready to begin. My friends, ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. I call the meeting of the Appropriations Committee to order. I would first like to welcome all members to the first full Committee Markup of fiscal year 2021. This will be a markup season unlike any other. Not only are we going to complete our work in record time, but we will be joined by a handful of our colleagues who were unable to be here due to the pandemic. Before we begin i have a number of housekeeping announcements. First, we should all be mindful of our health, and take appropriate actions. Following doctor monahans guidance, everyone, everyone must wear a mask and provide social distancing. Also, this information was previously conveyed to your s