Shelby Encourages Bipartisan Work, Stresses Importance of Parity in Defense, Non-defense Increases

Statement

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today delivered remarks during the first full committee markup for the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) appropriations process, during which the committee is considering the FY22 bills for the subcommittees on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Vice Chairman Shelby commended Chairman Leahy and the respective subcommittee leaders on the bills being considered and stressed the urgent need for bipartisan agreement on topline funding levels and parity between the rates of increase for defense and non-defense spending -- highlighting the importance of supporting our military and resisting reckless spending.

"Mr. Chairman, we appreciate you working with us and will demonstrate our eagerness to do the same by supporting these first three bills today. But our concerns about the path ahead are real, and they are fueled by the Biden Administration's determination to recklessly tax and spend on the domestic side while neglecting critical investments in our national security. I believe we must not lose perspective. Our main adversary, China, is playing the long game and focused on global hegemony. We cannot afford to be shortsighted and distracted," stated Vice Chairman Shelby.

"With an agreement on topline spending levels; parity between the rates of increase for defense and non-defense spending; an assurance that defense spending will not fall by the wayside; and a commitment to avoid partisan stumbling blocks, I am confident we can continue to work together. As you and I know well, Mr. Chairman, that's the only way the appropriations process is successful."

Vice Chairman Shelby's full remarks, as prepared, are as follows:

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to commend you for working with us to get the FY22 appropriations process moving.

"I also want to congratulate the chairs and ranking members of the subcommittees whose bills we are considering today.

"In my judgment, these three bills are strong and balanced.

"I will support each one of them.

"I believe many of my colleagues on this side of the table will support them as well.

"That's positive; bipartisan support is what makes the appropriations process work.

"However, Mr. Chairman, I will also note serious concerns we have about the path ahead.

"I fear that failure to address these concerns will erode the bipartisan foundation we are laying here today and make it harder for the FY22 bills to ultimately become law.

"The principal issue is a lack of agreement on topline spending levels.

"We need to know what we're working with here in terms of the big picture.

"In particular, we need to know the breakdown between defense and non-defense spending.

"As I've said many times and will reiterate now, there must be parity between the rates of increase for defense and non-defense spending.

"Mr. Chairman, we need to know the subcommittee allocations so Members can see how the various pieces of the puzzle fit together to form the bigger picture.

"And we need to know there is a shared commitment to funding our military so we don't lose a step on our adversaries.

"Finally, we need to agree that we will avoid partisan pitfalls that only serve to derail the appropriations process.

"That means we must not allow the addition of controversial provisions or the removal of legacy riders that would undermine the passage of bills that would otherwise receive strong, bipartisan support.

"This is the path for success; I believe we should follow now as we have in the past.

"Instead, we are proceeding contrary to this committee's custom by considering individual bills without having any of these critical decisions nailed down.

"We've got the cart before the horse, so to speak.

"So let me end where I began.

"Mr. Chairman, we appreciate you working with us and will demonstrate our eagerness to do the same by supporting these first three bills today.

"But our concerns about the path ahead are real, and they are fueled by the Biden Administration's determination to recklessly tax and spend on the domestic side while neglecting critical investments in our national security.

"I believe we must not lose perspective.

"Our main adversary, China, is playing the long game and focused on global hegemony.

"We cannot afford to be shortsighted and distracted.

"With an agreement on topline spending levels; parity between the rates of increase for defense and non-defense spending; an assurance that defense spending will not fall by the wayside; and a commitment to avoid partisan stumbling blocks, I am confident we can continue to work together.

"As you and I know well, Mr. Chairman, that's the only way the appropriations process is successful.

"Based on our track record, I am hopeful that we can work through these issues so we can get the job done for the American people once again. Thank you, Mr. Chairman."

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