Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2026 Request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation

House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

2025-05-07

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Summary

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies convened its first fiscal year 2026 budget hearing to discuss the Federal Bureau of Investigation's operations and financial needs.[ 00:10:32-00:10:41 ] The Honorable Kash Patel, Director of the FBI since February 2025, appeared before the subcommittee to outline his priorities, address concerns, and explain the agency's budget request.[ 00:10:57-00:11:09 ] [ 00:34:10-00:34:20 ]

Members raised questions regarding proposed budget cuts, the FBI's role in national security and law enforcement, and concerns about the agency's perceived politicization.

FBI Budget and Funding

The proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, presented by the President, outlines a $545 million cut to the FBI's operating budget, causing significant concern among subcommittee members. Ranking Member Meng expressed disappointment, labeling the reduction as more than half a billion dollars. Representative DeLauro challenged Director Patel on the specific impacts of such cuts, particularly on intelligence analysts and law enforcement functions, asking if it would lead to "defunding law enforcement."[ 00:53:15-00:53:23 ]

Director Patel clarified that the FBI's internal budget request was $11.2 billion, and he is actively working with appropriators to secure funding beyond the President's "skinny budget" proposal.[ 00:53:46-00:53:49 ]

He emphasized that the proposed cuts would force the FBI to eliminate 1,100 current vacancies and potentially remove an additional 1,300 employees, which he believes would cripple the agency's mission.[ 01:18:24-01:18:28 ] [ 01:28:05-01:28:11 ] Patel stated that if the FBI received the $11.1 billion it requested, no positions would need to be cut.[ 00:55:33 ] Additionally, he requested $160 million for new construction and $60 million for operations and maintenance at the Redstone Arsenal facility in Huntsville, Alabama.

FBI Mission and Priorities[ 00:12:11-00:12:38 ]

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[ 00:34:15-00:34:18 ]

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Director Patel outlined key priorities, including combating violent crime, securing borders, fighting fentanyl trafficking, and preventing terrorism and espionage.[ 00:13:18-00:14:28 ]

He highlighted recent operational successes, such as the apprehension of three top-ten fugitives, the seizure of large quantities of illicit narcotics, and actions against criminal organizations and child exploiters. Notably, he cited the seizure of 840 kilograms of fentanyl in three months, emphasizing the severe impact of the drug crisis and the role of Chinese precursors.

Several members commended the FBI's work in specific areas, including "Operation Not Forgotten" in Indian Country, which addresses violence against Native American women. There was also appreciation for efforts to counter cartel operations, human smuggling, and cyber threats to critical infrastructure.[ 00:46:46-00:46:52 ]

[ 00:49:51-00:50:14 ] Patel reaffirmed the FBI's commitment to supporting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) programs, regardless of budget constraints. He also discussed the importance of interagency task forces, such as the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and anti-gang task forces, for effective crime fighting.[ 01:13:30-01:13:42 ]

FBI Politicization and Credibility

Significant concerns were raised regarding the alleged politicization and "weaponization" of the FBI under the current administration. Ranking Member Meng cited instances like the demand for lists of January 6th investigators and the firing of career federal prosecutors and FBI leaders. Representative DeLauro accused the administration of an "agenda of revenge, retaliation and retribution" and questioned Director Patel's prior pledge of no politicization following immediate removals of senior FBI officials. Representative Dean further intensified these accusations, alleging that Director Patel's book served as a "blueprint for revenge" and that he showed "childlike giddiness" in carrying out a "revenge tour," and accusing him of perjury during his confirmation.[ 01:30:38-01:30:40 ]

Director Patel vehemently denied that hiring or firing decisions were based on loyalty to the President, retribution, or retaliation, stating that employees are only removed for ethical violations or breaking the law.[ 00:45:40 ]

[ 01:28:54 ] [ 01:29:03-01:29:08 ] He emphasized his commitment, and that of all FBI personnel, to uphold the Constitution and maintain a "colorblind system of justice."[ 01:16:55 ] He countered accusations of weaponization by pointing to his own experience as a target and stating the FBI operates on constitutional standards, not political directives. The arrest of a Milwaukee judge for allegedly obstructing federal agents, which one member saw as an example of impartial enforcement, was also discussed.

Relocation of FBI Personnel and Facilities

A significant initiative under Director Patel is the relocation of over 1,000 FBI positions from the Washington, D.C., National Capital Region to field offices across every state. The objective is to deploy agents, intelligence analysts, and support staff to areas with high violent crime rates, improving the agency's ability to combat local threats.[ 00:58:01-00:58:07 ]

Specific examples include augmenting staff in Kentucky and Texas, with approximately 90 positions planned for Texas alone.[ 00:48:27-00:48:31 ] [ 01:10:18 ]

Director Patel lauded the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as a "premier" facility and a model for effective federal-local partnership, noting its expertise in cyber, missile defense, and explosive device training.[ 01:34:55-01:35:23 ]

He announced plans to move 500 FBI employees to Huntsville this year, with an additional 1,300 to 1,400 planned, contingent on securing $160 million for new construction and $60 million for ongoing operations. The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) building in Clarksburg, West Virginia, was also identified as a facility needing expansion to accommodate more personnel and aging systems from Washington D.C.

Transparency and Oversight[ 00:11:25-00:11:37 ]

Subcommittee members emphasized the importance of transparency and strong congressional oversight of the FBI.[ 00:11:25-00:11:37 ] Ranking Member Meng pressed Director Patel to commit to publicly releasing the FBI's account-specific apportionments, a legal requirement, to help restore public trust, to which he agreed if legally mandated. Meng also questioned the FBI's background check procedures for nominees, specifically asking if associations with controversial figures would be appropriately investigated.

Director Patel stated his commitment to working with Congress by providing documentation for appropriate requests, facilitating congressional oversight to ensure no warrantless data seizures of American persons. He discussed an instance where he instructed FBI personnel not to comply with a Department of Justice request for agents to report weekly accomplishments, citing concerns over public disclosure and asserting his authority to protect sensitive information.

Tone of the Meeting[ 00:11:43-00:11:43 ]

The meeting's tone was notably mixed, reflecting both strong support for the FBI's mission and deep partisan divisions regarding its leadership and alleged politicization. While Chairman Rogers and other Republican members expressed strong support and optimism for Director Patel's leadership, commending his efforts to restore the FBI's integrity and combat crime, Democratic members voiced significant skepticism and criticism.[ 00:12:11-00:12:11 ]

[ 01:33:47-01:33:53 ]

Several exchanges were confrontational, particularly from Representative DeLauro and Representative Dean, who accused the administration and Director Patel of engaging in an "agenda of revenge" and "weaponization" of the FBI. Director Patel responded assertively, denying these accusations and emphasizing his commitment to constitutional principles and a non-political FBI.[ 00:45:40 ]

[ 01:28:54-01:29:08 ] Despite these tense moments, there were also instances of bipartisan interest in the FBI's operational successes and requests for more detailed information on budget allocations and program effectiveness.[ 00:47:55-00:48:24 ] [ 01:12:30-01:13:08 ] [ 02:00:06-02:00:32 ]