Opening Statement of Ranking Member Serrano at Financial Services and General Government Hearing on the OMB FY2017 Budget Request

Thank you Chairman Crenshaw. I would like to join you in welcoming Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to this hearing.

Today’s hearing serves a dual purpose.  We will of course discuss OMB’s specific budget request for this year, and delve into the new initiatives that will help coordinate government-wide responses to pressing issues.  But we will also delve into the budget request as a whole, and how OMB has helped put together a coherent and cohesive product that reflects our nation’s values and address its needs.  

That secondary role is especially important in this year’s context, because this year our majority colleagues on the Budget Committee have taken the unprecedented step of refusing to invite Director Donovan to testify on the Administration’s budget proposal. I think that decision is unwise at best. With that in mind, I want to commend Chairman Crenshaw for his decision to hold this hearing today- I think it speaks well of the Appropriations Committee’s more bipartisan nature.  Although we may have differences of opinion about what our policy priorities should be, I am glad to know that the Chairman believes that we should hear all sides of the debate. 

And I think it especially necessary to hear what Director Donovan has to say about the fiscal year 2017 budget as a whole. I believe that the President’s request, prepared with your counsel, creates a strategic plan that strengthens our economy and invests in working families by improving access to early and higher education as well as affordable healthcare, investing in our infrastructure, and partnering with local communities and business to create good-paying jobs and affordable housing.  I commend OMB for your role in these efforts.

There is also much to discuss in OMB’s request as well, which totals $100.7 million in FY 2017.  This includes a relatively small increase of $5.7 million to help ensure you have the personnel and the tools necessary to meet these numerous responsibilities.  It is important to note that out of the requested increase, $2.4 million are for unavoidable costs such as salary increases, higher rental costs, and IT contractor support.  The other $3.3 million would help OMB restore a portion of previous staff cuts at a time when OMB has taken on numerous new responsibilities mandated by Congress. OMB’s current staffing levels are 7 percent below FY 2010 levels, and would still be 5 percent below FY 2010 levels even if OMB receives its full FY 2017 funding request.  We need to make sure that OMB has the resources necessary to do its job.

I am also interested in hearing about the implementation of the Cybersecurity National Action Plan and OMB’s role in developing and coordinating Federal IT cybersecurity strategy and policy.

I hope we will have a chance to discuss all these issues in further detail today. Thank you for your service and for appearing before this subcommittee.  I look forward to hearing about your priorities for FY 2017.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.