▶ 0:03:58when compared to the total effective spending of the fiscal year 2025 enacted level. Importantly, uh the bill makes strategic investments in several agencies while appropriately reducing others.
▶ 0:04:18Despite recent progress in the fight against fentinel and other opioids, overdose deaths continue to plague our communities and our neighborhoods. As a result, this bill continues to ensure the DEA within the Department of Justice receives the funding it needs to combat illicit drug use and drug trafficking.
▶ 0:04:46Additionally, the Bureau of Prisons is also funded at a level that will continue to reform and enhance the nation's prison system. Moreover, the fiscal year 2026 bill strongly supports the men and women in blue that protect our families and by increasing funding for state and local law enforcement.
▶ 0:05:15From increased funding levels directed to the burn jag program to the cops hiring program. The fiscal year 2026 legislation puts our law enforcement first to ensure America is the leader in space The 26 CJS bill continues to maintain funding levels for NASA and its endeavor to return to the moon.
▶ 0:05:46With it sight on Mars, NASA will not only lead the way to the next frontier, but it will also ensure America maintains a competitive advantage over Legislation also protects and reinforces constitutional rights such as the Second Amendment by reigning in and refocusing the ATF.
▶ 0:06:25Don't work. Under this bill, the law-abiding citizens will no longer feel the threatened by the heavy hand of the Biden era Department of Justice. flooding has inflicted much pain on the nation over the last few months.
▶ 0:06:50From my district in Kentucky to Texas, now is the time to ensure the National Weather Service is equipped with the funding it needs to warn and protect our citizens.
▶ 0:07:06This bill does not does just that by appropriately funding Noah's weather Overall, the provisions and funding levels in the fiscal year 26 bill will protect our children, our families, our neighborhoods, and our country. I would like to thank all of the subcommittee members for their attention and participation in these budget hearings these past few months.
▶ 0:07:37The testimony that we received and corresponding answers to our questions directly impacted the drafting of this legislation. Importantly, I would like to thank Ranking Member Ming for her continued partnership over the last few months.
▶ 0:07:55I would also like to thank and acknowledge Chairman Cole for his vigorous leadership to the full committee and to the entire US House when it comes to funding our government. Additionally, I would like to thank Ranking Member Delaro for her tireless advocacy.
▶ 0:08:28And lastly, let me thank both the majority and minority staff for assisting with the development and production of this year's bill. I now recognize ranking member Ming for her opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I know that you and I share many of the same priorities.
▶ 0:08:51However, I must strongly oppose this appropriations bill that would abandon small businesses and hardworking Americans, weaken law enforcement, and surrender our nation's competitive edge. My hope is that we can work together to address my very significant concerns with the bill.
▶ 0:09:12As it stands, the $2.1 billion in cuts proposed today would be a betrayal of our fundamental responsibility to keep Americans safe and our economy strong. This bill does not fix the many problems caused by the administration's failures and Elon Musk's Doge team this year. And in fact, it further exacerbates many of these problems.
▶ 0:09:36At a time when Americans are worried about gun violence, hate crimes, and the opioid epidemic, this bill delivers a devastating blow to the federal law enforcement agencies that protect them. For example, this bill slashes FBI funding by more than half a billion dollars, forcing the elimination of thousands of FBI special agents and analysts.
▶ 0:10:02Public servants who work with our local police to solve murders, stop drug trafficking, prevent terrorism, and combat cyber crimes targeting ordinary Americans. The FBI's ability to catch criminals would be damaged and public safety would be compromised as a result of this bill.
▶ 0:10:23This bill also decimates funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which would lose more than 1,000 personnel who work with our state and local law enforcement to keep illegal guns off our streets, catch dangerous criminals, and prevent gun crimes.
▶ 0:10:43The bill further reduces funding for organized crime drug enforcement task forces, undermining our fight against the cartels and drug dealers that bring opioids into our communities, as well as for the Justice Department's National Security Division, which works to protect the US against terrorism, espionage, and other threats to our national security.
▶ 0:11:07The bill also leaves women and children more vulnerable to violence by sharply decreasing funding for juvenile justice and violence against women act grants. It zeros out community violence intervention and prevention grants as well as hate crime prevention and prosecution grants.
▶ 0:11:26and the Justice Department's Community Relations Service, which for more than 60 years has worked honorably to help mediate and end community conflicts across our country, is eliminated. The Justice Department's Office of Inspector General, whose work to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse at the department should have strong bipartisan support, is also cut by 30% in this bill.
▶ 0:11:56This cut opens the door to even more fraud and corruption. I believe that all of this is the wrong approach for the CJS appropriations bill. We should be investing more, not less, in the safety and security of the American people. We should also be doing more to address the high costs of living. But this bill sharply cuts funding for the agencies and programs that create jobs, boost American small businesses, and advance our economy.
▶ 0:12:27Economic Development Administration grants are cut by 36%, abandoning rural and distressed communities that are desperately in need of economic help and well-paying jobs. The bill slashes funding for the Minority Business Development Agency, taking away opportunities from American entrepreneurs.
▶ 0:12:47It cuts funding from the International Trade Administration by more than 30%, weakening the federal government's ability to help American businesses expand exports and fight unfair trade Moreover, the Legal Services Corporation, which provides basic civil legal assistance to the poorest American families, seniors, and veterans, is cut by nearly half.
▶ 0:13:13Under this funding level, nearly 3 million fewer people will receive help with legal problems, including over 8,000 in my district alone. This bill abandons our most vulnerable constituents who can't afford a lawyer when they're facing eviction, seeking safety from domestic violence, or are denied benefits they've earned.
▶ 0:13:36Perhaps most shortsighted of all, this bill disinvests in the scientific research that drives American innovation, technological leadership, and economic competitiveness. This bill cuts the National Science Foundation by more than $2 billion dollar and ends STEM education programs altogether, abandoning the next generation of scientists and engineers who will shape whether America
▶ 0:14:06continues to be a leader or becomes just a follower in the global As other countries are racing forward in space exploration and climate science, this bill would cause the US to fall behind by cutting NASA's science account by over 1.3 billion.
▶ 0:14:25The bill also makes huge cuts to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which has helped American industry overcome technical challenges, innovate manufacturing, and work on the cutting edge of technologies like quantum and AI. I disagree with this bill's approach.
▶ 0:14:43As I have said repeatedly, I think that we should be doubling down on the investments in science that grow our American economy and incentivize advancements that approve improve life for all Americans. I thank the chairman and also want to thank the staff on the majority and the minority and also on my individual office team.
▶ 0:15:04I appreciate the hard work that the chairman and everyone has put into this bill, but because of all these shortcomings and more, I must urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. I ask my colleagues to work together in a real bipartisan manner to produce a bill that invests in safety, economic opportunity, and scientific greatness. I don't believe these are partisan values, and they should be our shared goals as Americans. Thank you, and I yield back.
▶ 0:15:35I now recognize the distinguished chairman of the full committee, Mr. Cole, for his remarks. Thank you, Chairman Rogers, and thank you to ranking member Men Ming, excuse me. This is my third one of these today back to back. So, I apologize to my friend from New York. uh and certainly to my friend, ranking member of the full committee Deloro and to all the members of the subcommittees for your participation in this process.
▶ 0:16:02From the front lines of US law enforcement and economic trade all the way up to space exploration, the Commerce Justice Science Subcommittee oversees agencies consequential to our country. The fiscal year 2026 bill before us today brings savings to taxpayers and protects the constitutional rights of America.
▶ 0:16:24It writes wrongs of the Biden era politization and overreach at the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Importantly, the bill makes critical investments to confront fentanyl and the deadly scourge of addiction that has stolen far too many lives. We robustly support local law enforcement and their work to protect our communities. Finally, the legislation appropriately funds the advancement of space exploration at NASA.
▶ 0:16:53It also confronts China's efforts to steal US technology and innovation. The fiscal year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, Appropriations Bill is a product that reflects making needed decisions to reign in spending while safeguarding our nation and American citizens. I'd like to thank Chairman Rogers for his thoughtful approach to this bill and to the ranking member. I look forward to this bill's advancement through the appropriations process. And with that, Mr.
▶ 0:17:23Chairman, I yield back. and I recognize the distinguished ranking member of the committee, Miss Deloro, for her remarks. Thank you very much for yielding. Uh, it's a pleasure to be here with you today. I'm very proud to serve with Chairman Rogers, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member Mang, and all of the subcommittee members. And I also want to share my appreciation for the subcommittee staff from both sides of the aisle.
▶ 0:17:49And in particular, I want to call out Bob Bonner, Nora Fay, Fay Cobb, Jamie Weise for their for their work. Um, I oppose the bill before us today which defunds federal law enforcement and threatens public safety, continues Republican senseless attacks on America's scientific supremacy, promotes waste, fraud, and abuse, and hurts the middle class and working class uh in our in our country today.
▶ 0:18:18We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis. President Trump promised to lower costs on day one, but instead he and the Republicans are making the cost of living crisis even worse. The big ugly bill is handing massive tax breaks to billionaires and the biggest corporations while Americans continue to struggle with the cost of basic necessities.
▶ 0:18:43And while President Trump brags about the money he is siphoning out of Americans pockets and from small businesses through his chaotic and senseless trade tariff agenda. Today we are considering another House Republican bill which will raise costs for struggling American families, gut support for rural communities, undermine our efforts to ensure our trading partners play by the rules.
▶ 0:19:11We are holding this markup in a completely unprecedented time with Congress's authority being challenged by a lawless Since taking office, President Trump's administration has stolen resources appropriated by Congress for programs and services across the federal government, including several in this bill that helped to lower costs for middle class and working families, keep America safe and our economy fair, and ensure
▶ 0:19:41America is at the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery. President Trump has frozen programs that provide seniors, veterans, rural families, and people with disabilities with the skills and tools that they need to access the internet, as well as emerging emergency funding to help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Noah, procure weather radars and satellites that help create life-saving forecasts.
▶ 0:20:11Over four and a half billion dollars in Department of Justice grant money, including cops grants, Office of Violence Against Women grants has been frozen, stolen from the communities that are counting on this funding to approve their own law enforcement capabilities. Funding that supports re-entry initiatives and violence prevention that helps prevent hate crimes, provide services for crime victims, and support underserved communities.
▶ 0:20:38Stealing this funding makes the American people less safely and more likely to become victims of crime. They have fired hundreds of scientists, including scientists who monitor extreme weather and who do scientific uh uh advance our scientific goals in space? Why on earth are we forooting forefooting America's scientific supremacy?
▶ 0:21:05What you would you do differently if you were America's adversary and wanted to undermine everything that made us a superpower. They have turned the Department of Justice into the president's personal law firm, wielding law enforcement power to silence and intimidate critics of the administration and its agenda and to protect President Trump's criminal for all of these frozen and terminated programs
▶ 0:21:36that Congress enacted and appropriated funding. We appropriated funding. It is the law of the land. They are substituting Congress's decisions and judgments with their own, turning article one of the Constitution on its head. These cuts are not numbers on a page. They are not only felt in Washington DC. They affect all of our constituents.
▶ 0:22:01At the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Noah, the Trump administration has dismissed National Weather Service forecasters and other critical employees endangering American communities as a result of funding and employee cuts within Noah.
▶ 0:22:19We have fewer forecasters, fewer weather balloon launches, and less reliable weather data and forecasts that a families, businesses, and state and local governments rely on to stay safe and to stay open in Connecticut with the National Weather Service has been critical for life saving lives through everything from wildfires to visits to blizzards to floods.
▶ 0:22:48Bill Turner, can get Connecticut state emergency management director said, and I quote, "It's a very fragile house of cards right now, and we need them to continue. It could be a catastrophic in a lot of ways for our states. If they go down the path of stopping the National Weather Service and their functionality," end quote. Weather forecasts are not waste, fraud, and abuse.
▶ 0:23:16And I ask uh my colleagues, did anyone come to your town halls and complain that the weather service has too many meteorologists, too many people issuing advisories, watches, and warnings on severe storms? I don't think so. I know the chairman of the full committee has worked to impress upon the administration the importance of weather monitoring institutions in Oklahoma, but National Weather Service offices are needed across our country.
▶ 0:23:47We cannot leave critical weather monitoring capabilities to the benevolence of the president. That is why funding is appropriated by the Congress, not the administration. Unfortunately, this bill doubles down on Republicans, pro- billionaire, proc corporations anti-science and anti-ruule of law agenda.
▶ 0:24:07This bill turns its back on the Republicans promises to rural communities, underfunding programs to create jobs and ri economic revive economically distressed communities, especially in rural America. While the president declares a trade war against our allies and biggest trade partners that will raise prices, this bill cuts funding for the international trade administration by nearly 30%.
▶ 0:24:34Severely hindering our government's ability to fight other countries unfair trade practices and help Americans America's businesses expand their access to international markets. This bill makes families, women, children, and all of our communities less safe.
▶ 0:24:51They slash funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Explosives, limiting federal efforts to help state and local law enforcement combat violence, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
▶ 0:25:12by slashing these legal services, violence against women, just juvenile justice grants, community violence intervention prevention grants, hate crimes prevention grants, and other resources that prevent violence. And why on earth does this bill slash the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General by 30%. What are you afraid of? What might be uncovered in Pam Bondi's Department of Justice?
▶ 0:25:41Does this administration want to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse or not? Our government's inspector generals are absolutely critical nonpartisan offices that help Congress and the American people eliminate and prevent fraud and corruption and why this administration has directly undermined and even removed over a dozen of these officers across our government. Americans expect few things of our their country.
▶ 0:26:11A fair economy, safety for their families, and respect for the rule of law, consequences for corruption. This bill fails to deliver on every one of those fronts. Americans cannot keep up with the everinccreasing cost of living.
▶ 0:26:28But instead of working with Democrats to make investments can help lower their costs, keep Americans safe and our economy fair, Republicans have put forward a bill that favors billionaires and corporations. A bill that does not fight waste, fraud, and abuse, but embraces it. I cannot support this bill, and I yield back.
▶ 0:26:57Do any other members wish to make opening remarks? Mr. Maril is recognized for five minutes. Good afternoon. Uh thank you, Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Mang, Chairman Cole, and Ranking Member Deloro.
▶ 0:27:24uh as we work to craft the fiscal year 26 budget for agencies under the commerce, Justice, and Science jurisdiction, I feel obligated to speak plainly not just about what's in this bill, but what we've endured and trying to get answers about it.
▶ 0:27:39The most important we have on this committee is Congress's power of the person and with it the obligation to engage directly with agency leaders to understand how they intend to use taxpayer dollars to serve the American people. That's why budget hearings are not just a formality. They are essential.
▶ 0:28:01They give the committee and through us all of Congress the opportunity to evaluate whether agencies are living up to their missions and whether their funding requests uh reflect real priorities. So when we sat down with the US attorney general to discuss the Department of Justice's budget, I expected a serious conversation. Uh instead, frankly, I'm very disappointed. We were met with deflection.
▶ 0:28:23Uh I know uh for me personally I asked straightforward questions about the scope of presidential pardons about the safety of members of Congress who face increasing threats um how this affects not only members but staff and their families and got precious little in return. My colleagues similarly met with um filibustering and that kind of evasion makes it impossible for this committee to do its job.
▶ 0:28:46Not to mention this whole process has been hindered by such extraordinary delays by the president submitting his budget request. In fact, when um she was here, the attorney general's refusing to answer our question uh all of our questions in my mind undermines legitimacy of this funding process and erodess public trust. I know this committee is capable of more. I have enormous respect for both uh our subcommittee chair, Mr. Rogers, and the chair of the appropriations committee.
▶ 0:29:16uh at large and I've worked with many of you who I know care deeply about economic development, public safety, scientific progress. I know there are leaders within our agencies who want to work in good faith with Congress to deliver results for our communities. That said, I'm deeply disappointed by the legislation before us today and I'd associate myself with the remarks made by my uh dear colleagues and friends uh Miss Mang and Miss Deloro.
▶ 0:29:42It proposes deep and damaging cuts to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, an agency central to enforcing federal gun laws and preventing illegal firearms trafficking. It cuts billions from the National Science Foundation, one of the country's most important engines for scientific discovery and innovation, particularly at a time when scientific discovery and innovation have never been more central, more critical to our economic or national security needs, interests, and priorities.
▶ 0:30:12It slashes community violence intervention and prevention grants which support proven community-based strategies to reduce gun violence and save lives, particularly in neighborhoods that are already underresourced and overimpacted by crime. These cuts would have real and lasting consequences. They would weaken public safety efforts, halt cutting edge research, and strip communities of life-saving resources.
▶ 0:30:36As appropriators, we here have a responsibility to scrutinize this legislation and ask whether these reductions reflect national priorities. Uh this scrutiny requires cander and cooperation from agency leaders and without clear factual responses. We simply cannot make informed funding decisions.
▶ 0:30:55uh I urge defeat of the bill and instead I urge uh for all of us to work together on a bill that uh instead supports uh the American priorities and the American people. Uh with that, Mr. Chair, I yield back. Mr. Clyde. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I think I've heard from the other side of the aisle a number of great reasons to vote for this bill.
▶ 0:31:20Apparently, my Democrat colleagues believe that the federal government has sole authority over every aspect of Americans lives. They seem to forget or intentionally forget that the federal government is constrained by the 18 enumerated powers outlined in article one of the constitution and that the 10th amendment further constrains the federal government by saying and I quote the powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved to the states respectively or to
▶ 0:31:50the people and um to quote uh Wikipedia that I don't do very often here but the 10th amendment amendment was ratified in on December 15th, 1791. It expresses the principle of federalism the federal government and the individual states share power by mutual agreement.
▶ 0:32:09The 10th amendment prescribes that the federal government has only those powers delegated to it by the constitution and that all other powers not forbidden to the states by the constitution are reserved to each state or to the people. So, I think this bill does a lot to move us to move our federal government back in line with the restrictions of the Constitution, and I support it moving forward to full committee. And I yield back.
▶ 0:32:42Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, uh, ranking members and chair, uh, Chairman Rogers. Um I'm pleased to be here on this committee but I'm disappointed uh sadly with the bill that is in front of us. There's so much that we could be talking about and so I associate myself uh with the ranking members comments with my colleagues comments uh on this side of the dis.
▶ 0:33:08Uh so I thought today I would just focus on The mission of ATF is to quote provide the public from protect the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners.
▶ 0:33:37This bill proposes a budget for ATF of $1.2 billion. It is a four18 million cut, a 48% cut to ATF. ATF who has fewer than I think about 5,000 employees, 2500 are our special agents. This would require the cutting of at least a thousand positions. And ATF, we all know, is already overworked and underresourced.
▶ 0:34:05So, I'm absolutely puzzled by that. ATF plays a vital role in assisting our federal, state, local law enforcement in investigating, preventing, and prosecuting violent crimes. ATF makes America safer. For example, the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network or NIBIN is a critical tool for solving and preventing gun crimes.
▶ 0:34:31It allows law enforcement to link shell casings from different crime scenes and connect recovered firearms to previous shootings using advanced imaging technology. ATF's gun tracing program, ERA, is a vital tool for state and local law enforcement, not only to help solve individual gun crimes, but also to uncover and disrupt larger firearm trafficking.
▶ 0:34:56Through the ERACE program, agencies can submit recovered firearms to be traced back to the first retail purchaser, generating critical leads and intelligence. some of the provisions in the bill that are perplexing to me. Perhaps I don't fully understand them.
▶ 0:35:12Page 133 of the CJS bill, section uh none of the funds made available by this act may be used by ATF uh demand to program unless ATF modifies the program. Let me read to you some more other puzzling things in here. None of the funds made available may be used for a gun buy program, gun buyback or relinquish it program.
▶ 0:35:42None of the funds made available by this act may be used to fund or implement any red flag or extreme risk protection laws. Just a few. Let me try some more. None of the funds made available by this act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel at ATF. None of the funds made available. Here we go.
▶ 0:36:07None of the funds made available by this or any other act may be used to classify register any firearm with an attached stabilizing brace or other similar brace or rearward more and more and more in here about what the ATF can't do, what our funds cannot do that would protect and keep us safer. I simply don't understand that. Why would we cut half of the resources of ATF?
▶ 0:36:38Why would we want to eliminate, reduce, or limit the tracing program? Why is that? ATF keeps us safer. Could someone please explain to me how this is Will the Will the general lady yield for a question? I will yield for a question, Mr. Clyde. Um, how do you come up with a 48% cut? I I don't come up with that. I come up I have a question for you. Do you have a I'm asking you a question. And you said you would yield for a question. Yes, I saw. So, I'm asking the question.
▶ 0:37:08How do you come up with a 48% cut? Well, I'll tell you, but I want to ask you a question as well while I'm getting you that answer. Do you have a pecuniary interest in guns? Um, ma'am, I'm waiting for your answer to my question. Mr. Clyde, I think it is incumbent upon you in all of this legislation question. And you said we all know. So, would you please answer my question? That's all I'm asking. How do you come up with 48%. I come up with say that you own two gun shops.
▶ 0:37:38Ma'am, I'm asking a question and I'm asking you to answer. How do you come up with 48%. I don't think it's possible. It's not 48%. I just want to get the record straight. All right. as to what the actual cut is. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Clyde, I'll be happy to get you that. I can dig it out of my resources here. Now, would you answer my question? Do you own two gun shops? You have a pecuniary interest in this legislation. Are you going to recuse yourself from a I asked you a question.
▶ 0:38:08I'm I'm waiting I told you I'd be happy to get that to you and to your staff. That's fine, but I'm wait I'm still Mr. Chairman, would he like to answer the question? I have a a point of order, Mr. Chairman. I have a point of order. If a person on this committee has a pecuniary interest, a conflict of interest in the legislation, should that be disclosed?
▶ 0:38:58Oh, can you get me the number? The 48%. It's in our opening pages. Oh, then that might be my mistake. The point of order is not entertained. Any other members wish to make? I I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. I did not hear your answer. And I I have a correction that I'd be happy to give Mr.
▶ 0:39:28Time of the gentle lady has expired. Answer his question. Next. I'd be happy to. You may proceed. That's fine with the Do other members wish to make opening You can you can correct me. You correct me for Mr. Clyde and then maybe I'll get an answer to his question.
▶ 0:39:57I would like to have a chance to make a statement. Mr. Chair, gentleman's recognized for five minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right, yield the gentle lady 30 seconds. I made a mistake, Mr. Clyde. It's a 48% to a portion of the ATF funding. It's an overall is a 28 cut, a thousand positions. And now, will you answer my question? Well, we'll we'll let somebody else.
▶ 0:40:28You're right. I don't want to chew up your time. We'll get that answer But I do appreciate uh the gentle lady's inquiry. I I uh want to thank the chair of the subcommittee, the full committee, the ranking members of the subcommittee and full committee um for the work that they put in staff as well for the work that they've done. Just a quick a few quick points. I I share um questions and concerns about uh some of the aspect of the ATF u cuts and the uh attorney general's testimony about combining ATF and DEA.
▶ 0:40:59Uh I have my doubts as to how successful that would be or how beneficial it would be, but those are statements that she made here. She also made a commitment during her testimony here uh to not reduce funding for the uh Nibbon um piece and I think that's very important and I appreciate the fact that my colleagues are going to help us keep an eye on that as well. With respect to the overall Department of Justice uh oh I'm sorry FBI um you know Mr.
▶ 0:41:28Patel testified here. He testified roughly that he had a need for 2400 more spots than what was provided in the president's bill. And the next day he changed that testimony in the Senate. Um, you know, I have my my doubts about the change of heart that happened overnight there. My my my gut is that they're going to need the spots that they're that he was initially requesting. So, I'm hoping that we can keep an eye on that going forward because I think it's a critical time for the FBI.
▶ 0:41:58I my colleague from Texas I saw u on television over the weekend and I think the statement he made was about making sure that we focus our immigration enforcement on the most violent people out there. And I wanted to to say I agree with that position um with respect to to the um ICE enforcement.
▶ 0:42:18To the extent they're peeling off FBI agents to do work on any of those kinds of issues, I'd urge us to take a very close look at um that and make sure they they're not overdoing it because we have other criminal justice needs. We've got um for example, the Saloa cartel and others that are creating problems here in the United States. So, I hope that we can have a focus that isn't totally dominated by the immigration issue, but also looks at some of our other criminal justice needs as well.
▶ 0:42:47With respect to the um I'll call it the brain drain issue. My my colleagues from Virginia and Alabama, uh I know they have NASA assets in their district as I do in mine. I think one of the things that the United States really needs to keep in mind is that we're in a neckand-neck race with China right now. And I think as a nation, we're doing things that undermine our ability to maintain. I think we're we have supremacy at the moment, but I think we're putting things at risk.
▶ 0:43:16Um, and it goes beyond simply this bill, uh, for sure. But I think making sure that we continue to invest in assets like NASA, uh, assets like NSF, assets like, uh, the educational piece that helps these, uh, helps us produce the talent that can do this work to help us keep ahead. um I think is critical. Uh and um lastly, I'll mention the um the Department of Justice overall. I served in the Department of Justice for four years.
▶ 0:43:47Um this isn't in this bill either, but the termination of I believe it was 20 DOJ prosecutors who were involved in the uh prosecutions of the January 6 people, I thought was completely over the line. you know, not just unethical, but perhaps illegal. And I think it's important for us to make sure I know there are hard feelings about things going on under the Biden administration at the Department of Justice for my colleagues on the other side.
▶ 0:44:14And we've got our concerns now, but I think we all need to come together and find a common ground where we can say that the Department of Justice has to be insulated from politics, especially right now, uh, because it's it's undermining their ability to do the job in the right way. uh and in a way that maintains the rule of law and uh supports our efforts to fight crime uh and maintain or reearn the trust of the American people.
▶ 0:44:41So I want to thank again the chairs and the ranking members for their work on this and I yield back. Do any of the other members of the committee wish to be heard? Mr. Bourbon recognized for one minute, five minutes.
▶ 0:45:07Thank you, Chairman Rogers and ranking member remaining for the opportunity to speak on the fiscal year 26 of commerce, justice, science, appropriations bill. While the administration has taken an axe to federal programs that are essential to ensuring public safety, growing our economy, and maintaining our national security, our constituents, community organizations, government workers, and law enforcement alike, have sounded the alarm.
▶ 0:45:30The majority will claim that massive cuts, including the elimination of government programs and reductions in force, will limit waste, fraud, and abuse. However, these actions have only proven to leave necessary services that people rely on hanging in the balance and disrupt the livelihoods of everyday Americans. I am not willing to accept this as a pathway to fulfilling the present needs of our communities.
▶ 0:45:54We must we must do all we can to protect law enforcement officers in the line of duty, which means providing local police departments with resources to protect themselves and our communities. Instead, this bill would decrease spending for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and eliminate grants for community violence intervention and prevention. I've been a staunch supporter of efforts to strengthen state and local police responses to crime.
▶ 0:46:22And I am deeply concerned these cuts, coupled with recent action taken by the Department of Justice to terminate over 800 million in grants dedicated to keeping our communities safer, will only exacerbate gaps in public safety. I join this committee to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop legislation that reflects the needs of our communities. This proposal is woefully unadequate.
▶ 0:46:46Simply put, we must fund departments, agencies, and programs to a capacity in which they are cap they are able to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the nation, regardless of their background, zip code, or economic status. Instead, the majority would rather cut STEM education and research, attack women's reproductive health care, and deny survivors the violence, the services they need to recover from partners and environments that threaten their safety.
▶ 0:47:12For example, in my district, 983 children, 61 survivors of domestic violence, 62 veterans, and 219 seniors are at risk of losing out their legal service as a result of this proposed program cuts. Additionally, this legislation weakens our economy by shifting costs on the h households rather than protecting the vast majority of Americans who will receive no benefits from the tax incentives that were recently signed into law.
▶ 0:47:40Specifically, the proposal would gut the Economic Development Administration, which is integral in re revitalization efforts in communities across Northwest Indiana. The bill also decreases funding for the International Trade Administration by 183 million. Maintaining a level playing field in global trade markets is relying upon a well-funded ITA. Whether it be a teacher, a nurse, a steel worker in my district, my constituents are concerned about costs at the grocery store.
▶ 0:48:09and lasting certainty in our markets. It is because of these reasons that cannot support moving this legislation forward and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposition. With that, I yield back. Do any other members wish to make opening remarks? M Mr. Chairman, may I make just make a comment? I know I've done my opening remarks, but I can just make a quick comment. I just want to um to to just to say to Mr. Clyde who quoted the 10th amendment to the constitution.
▶ 0:48:40Uh that's all well and good but you can't pick and choose what part of the constitution you want to adhere to. There is um uh uh title one section 9 clause 7 which says that the con the power of the purse resides in the appropriations committee and that is being decimated uh and eviscerated and it is the job of this committee to make sure that that power of the purse continues to reside um uh within the congress.
▶ 0:49:10So again you can't pick and choose the pieces of the constitution that you want to adhere to. Thank you Mr. Okay. Do any other members wish to make opening remarks? Thank you, Mr. Chair and ranking member. I had not planned to speak, but I do want to say a bit uh in defense of Mr.
▶ 0:49:37Clyde and the cuts proposed to the Um, this is a 25% cut. It is not a 48% cut to the uh Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Explosives budget. The ATF's mission to combat violent crime, is critical, but recent actions raised serious concerns about its priorities.
▶ 0:50:00The AY's aggressive regulatory overreach, particularly on pistol braces and privately made firearms, has targeted law-abiding citizens rather than focusing on violent criminals. These rules seen as anti-second amendment burden responsible gun owners like disabled veterans needing adaptive equipment while doing little to curb actual crime.
▶ 0:50:24This cut, as outlined in our appropriations bill, reigns in the bureaucratic overreach and redirects resources to core law enforcement priorities. By reducing ATF's budget, we are eliminating the wasteful spending while preserving funding for state and local law enforcement. This bill also mandates transparency, requiring ATF to report on firearms trace requests and out-of business records, ensuring We support law enforcement.
▶ 0:50:53Let's make that very clear. My father was a special Texas Ranger. I have a a a tremendous respect for law enforcement, as does Mr. Clyde. But we demand efficiency and respect for our constitutional rights. This 25% cut is a balanced step to curb overreach, protect taxpayers, and pri prioritize public safety.
▶ 0:51:18Furthermore, I believe that every American who appreciates the Second Amendment has an interest in the overreach of the ATF. And Mr. Clyde is a gun expert. I can't think of anyone who has a better idea of the overreach of the ATF in a business sense, a personal sense, or as an American.
▶ 0:51:41Thank you, and I yield Do any other members wish to make opening remarks? Seeing no amendments, I now recognize Mr. Carter for the purpose of making a I thank you, Mr. Chairman. Excuse me. I move the bill be favorably reported to the full committee. The question is on the motion.
▶ 0:52:10Those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed say no. The eyes have it. The motion is agreed Gentleman is recognized. I request a recorded vote, Mr. Chair. Recorded vote has been requested. All those in favor of a recorded vote, please raise your hand. A sufficient number in support. The recorded vote is ordered.
▶ 0:52:40Clerk will call the role. Mr. Alfred Mr. Alfred I. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. I Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. I Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. I Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole. I Miss Dean. Miss Dean. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. I Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. No. Miss Mang. Miss Mang.
▶ 0:53:10No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. I Mr. Morelli. Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Mvan. Mr. Morvan. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. I Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. I Mr. Lauro. Mr. Loro. No. First tally.
▶ 0:53:52On this vote, the eyes are nine, the nose are six. The bill is favorably reported to the full committee. I ask unanimous consent that staff be permitted to make technical and conforming changes to the bill and the report. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 0:54:19Copies of the bill and report with the technical and conforming changes will be delivered to all full committee members offices no later than three business days before the full committee. Thank you very much everyone. That concludes today's spark up. The committee now stands adjourned.