Mr. Speaker, I use today to recognize an invaluable staff member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Johnnie Kaberle, whose 30 years of tireless work for the federal government--and more specifically the United States House of…
Mr. Speaker, I use today to recognize an invaluable staff member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Johnnie Kaberle, whose 30 years of tireless work for the federal government--and more specifically the United States House of Representatives--exemplifies the devotion and commitment of a distinguished public servant.
Johnnie's government career began in 1994 when she joined the office of former Congressman Nick Smith, serving as Legislative Assistant. Johnnie served in this same capacity for Representatives Dick Chrysler and Lamar Smith until August of 1999, when she joined my team as Legislative Director.
In 2003, at the start of the 108th Congress, Johnnie assumed the position of Senior Policy Advisor for Majority Whip Roy Blunt. In this role, Johnnie's ability to negotiate, build coalitions, and remain calm in crisis made her stand out amongst the crowd. She aided the Whip team in identifying roadblocks and negotiating directly with Members of Congress and other stakeholders to ensure the passage of pivotal legislation on the House floor. In addition to conducting comprehensive research and legislative analysis, Johnnie drafted speeches and talking points for Whip Blunt on key policy positions. Having mastered these responsibilities, Johnnie directly assisted in advancing the Republican Leadership's agenda and contributed to the development of the party's long-term strategic policy goals.
When the House Majority switched hands in 2007, Johnnie continued to serve as the Senior Policy Advisor for then-Minority Whip Blunt. This role was a pivotal part of Johnnie's development into the politically savvy leader she is today, but just as importantly, she made lifelong friendships with a cadre of Members and staff who would lead the House Republican Conference in the coming decades.
After six years with Congressman Roy Blunt, Johnnie returned to work for me at the beginning of the 11th Congress. Serving as my Senior Policy Advisor, Johnnie acted as the point of contact for all appropriations issues as well as defense, homeland security, and transportation authorizing policy. Johnnie's work ethic and expertise earned her the promotion to Policy Director.
While I served as the Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations and Defense Appropriations subcommittees, Johnnie provided me with direct support by serving as a conduit between my team, committee staff, federal agency leadership, and heads of state. Johnnie worked to align my agenda with the broader leadership goals and closely coordinated with the appropriations subcommittees in drafting and negotiating legislative proposals. She handled each issue--from meetings with the King of Jordan and the President of Egypt, to advocating for critical resources for Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth--with her patented expertise and enthusiasm.
Having displayed her broad skillset throughout her years of dedicated service, Johnnie transitioned into the role of Deputy Chief of Staff in January 2015. In this position, Johnnie managed 17 direct reports to drive my legislative agenda and effectively represent the 12th district of Texas. This included setting policy priorities, conducting policy research, and managing constituent engagement. Equally important, during her tenure in my personal office, Johnnie took seriously the professional development of the young staffers and defense fellows that were part of Team Granger.
Many of these young professionals have gone on to capably lead their own teams or military units. Johnnie truly left a lasting impression on each of them.
When I was named the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations to begin the 116th Congress, I could think of no one I wanted more as my Deputy Staff Director than Johnnie. Given her wealth of knowledge and leadership abilities, Johnnie effortlessly managed a team of 30 direct reports to liaise with Members of Congress, Executive Branch agencies, and external stakeholders to develop appropriations legislation that reflected House Republican priorities. She served as one of two principal Republican Appropriations staffers in negotiating six omnibus and consolidated appropriations acts--balancing various political interests and addressing priorities to ensure continued government funding. As the new Republican leader of Appropriations, responsiveness to Member requests and questions was critical for me. In response, Johnnie launched a first-of-kind ``concierge Member services'' program and centralized operational support for congressional offices. Further, she created an ``Appropriations 101'' class to educate Members and their staff on the nuances of the appropriations process. She also coordinated with congressional leaders, committee chairs, and administration officials to reach agreements on funding and policy provisions. Johnnie aided the Staff Director in advocating for my priorities and those of Leadership in annual spending bills and supplementals. When the Defense Clerk role was vacated, I asked Johnnie to wear two hats, one as the Deputy Staff Director and the other as the Minority Clerk of the Defense Subcommittee, where she successfully fought for Republican priorities in Fiscal Year 2020 through Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Appropriations bills.
Johnnie deservedly reached a pinnacle of the Appropriations Committee by becoming Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Majority Staff Director and Clerk when Republicans gained the Majority in 2023. In this critical role, she drafted and served as the principal House negotiator for the Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations bills, which funded the entire Department of Defense and Intelligence community to the tune of over $800 billion per fiscal year. She facilitated daily communication with Members of Congress, senior administration officials, and industry leaders, while leading and mentoring a high-performing team of 14 direct reports. Of her many accomplishments in this role, her staunch advocacy for Chairman Ken Calvert's vision of defense innovation will have a lasting effect on out national security. This includes the allocation of nearly $2.5 billion to foster innovation, including funding to identify, invest, and rapidly produce promising defense technologies through the Defense Innovation Unit and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
It is my distinct honor to recognize Johnnie's significant contributions to the entire federal government, the House Committee on Appropriations, and--most significant to me--the office of Texas' 12th District. Throughout her storied career, Johnnie has exemplified what it means to be a selfless public servant. She has consistently exhibited unparalleled knowledge of government and has bridged the gap between countless diverse stakeholders within the appropriations process. Johnnie's commitment to the United States and the American people will remain unmatched as she leaves a legacy within America's national security apparatus that will live on for generations to come. On behalf of the American people and the lucky ones who were privileged enough to learn from her and work alongside her, we thank Johnnie for her many years of devoted service to the United States of America.
