The chair notes the presence of a quorum. Committee meets today to consider and mark up h. R. 2010, the National Defense authorization act for fiscal year 2018. For 55 straight years, under congresses and president s of both parties, and annual ndaa has been signed into law. Im certain that this you will be no different. The members of this committee have an overwhelming commitment to the duty placed on us by the constitution to support the men and women who serve our nation in the military. Every member of this committee has contributed to this legislation. Committee member suggested 1531 separate legislative provisions for consideration in the marks. Over 330 amendments were filed for today. But members also contributed by asking thoughtful questions at our briefings and hearings, by traveling to visit our troops at home and overseas, by sharing their personal experiences and insights, and by talking with one another about how to solve problems. And so first i want to express my appr
Glad youre here and appearing before this committee today to discuss your departments fiscal 2018 budget request. As you know, the budget is significantly challenged in terms of the cuts in your department. I think the proposed cuts of 2. 3 billion are about onefifth of the departments operating level. Certainly while i appreciate and many of us appreciate the departments prioritizing limited resources and making decisions to realign programs, the fundamental question is really what you choose to cut and whether you can possibly look at that number and make an argument as to why that much of your previous budget should be cut this year. Its not the first time these kinds of cuts have come in the department. Last year president obama proposed about the same level of cuts, though he proposed somehow these programs would lean heavily on new mandatory spending for the budget caps in the law then. Of course, those budget caps are in the law still. Instead of making difficult decisions, it w
Glad youre here and appearing before this committee today to discuss your departments fiscal 2018 budget request. As you know, the budget is significantly challenged in terms of the cuts in your department. I think the proposed cuts of 2. 3 billion are about onefifth of the departments operating level. Certainly while i appreciate and many of us appreciate the departments prioritizing limited resources and making decisions to realign programs, the fundamental question is really what you choose to cut and whether you can possibly look at that number and make an argument as to why that much of your previous budget should be cut this year. Its not the first time these kinds of cuts have come in the department. Last year president obama proposed about the same level of cuts, though he proposed somehow these programs would lean heavily on new mandatory spending for the budget caps in the law then. Of course, those budget caps are in the law still. Instead of making difficult decisions, it w
What is being called the iiic summit which includes leaders from Central Europe the baltic states. He is expected to meet with the president s of poland and croatia. Then he goes to germany for the g 20 summit where he is expected to have his first facetoface meeting with russian president vladimir putin. Other leaders attending the g 20 include chancellor Angela Merkel of germany, president of china and Prime Minister of japan. Now labor secretary Alexander Acosta testifies about the president s budget request for his department. Missouri senator roy blunt, chairs the Senate Subcommittee hearing. The appropriations subcommittee on labor, health, human services, education and related agencies will come to order. First of all good morning secretary acosta. Were glad youre here and appearing before this committee today to discuss your departments fiscal year 2018 budget request. As you know, the budget is significantly challenged in terms of the cuts in your department. I think the propo
Before this committee today to discuss your departments fiscal 2018 budget request. As you know, the budget is significantly challenged in terms of the cuts in your department. I think the proposed cuts of 2. 3 billion are about onefifth of the departments operating level. Certainly while i appreciate and many of us appreciate the departments prioritizing limited resources and making decisions to realign programs, the fundamental question is really what you choose to cut and whether you can possibly look at that number and make an argument as to why that much of your previous budget should be cut this year. Its not the first time these kinds of cuts have come in the department. Last year president obama proposed about the same level of cuts, though he proposed somehow these programs would lean heavily on new mandatory spending to bypass what were the actual budget caps in the law then. Of course, those budget caps are in the law still. Instead of making difficult decisions of prioritiz