Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill

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

2025-07-15

Loading video...

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting focused on the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) appropriations bill, revealing a sharp partisan divide regarding its allocations and implications. While supporters lauded the bill for strategic investments and fiscal responsibility, opponents condemned it for significant cuts they argued would undermine national security, public safety, and economic competitiveness. The bill ultimately passed the subcommittee, moving forward despite strong objections.

Themes

Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Republicans championed the bill for making strategic investments in law enforcement, including increased funding for state and local agencies, the DEA to combat opioids, and reforms within the Bureau of Prisons. [ 00:09:22-00:09:50 ] They also supported refocusing the ATF to protect Second Amendment rights and reduce what they considered "heavy-handed" tactics. [ 00:10:36 ] Conversely, Democrats strongly opposed the bill, arguing it would deliver a "devastating blow" to federal law enforcement by slashing funding for the FBI, ATF, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. They asserted that these cuts would compromise public safety, hinder efforts against drug trafficking and gun violence, and reduce protection for vulnerable populations through cuts to programs like Violence Against Women Act grants. A contentious point of debate involved the extent of the ATF budget cut, with different figures (48% for a portion vs. 25.7% overall) being cited and discussed. Republicans defended the ATF cuts as a measure to curb "regulatory overreach" and wasteful spending.

Scientific Advancement and Economic Competitiveness

Republicans emphasized the bill's commitment to maintaining funding levels for NASA, aiming to ensure American leadership in space exploration and a competitive advantage against China. [ 00:10:14-00:10:23 ] In stark contrast, Democrats criticized the bill for "disinvesting in scientific research," citing significant cuts to the National Science Foundation, the elimination of STEM education programs, and a reduction in NASA's science account. They argued these cuts would undermine American innovation, technological leadership, and economic competitiveness, causing the U.S. to "fall behind." Additionally, Democrats expressed concern over cuts to the Economic Development Administration and International Trade Administration, believing these would harm small businesses, rural communities, and the country's ability to engage effectively in global trade.

Constitutional Principles and Governmental Authority

Republicans positioned the bill as a means to "protect constitutional rights" and rein in what they described as "politicization and overreach" by the Department of Justice and ATF. They invoked the Tenth Amendment, asserting that the bill would align federal government actions with its constitutionally enumerated powers. Democrats, however, accused the administration of being "lawless" and challenging Congress's "power of the purse" by freezing appropriated funds and terminating programs. They argued that these actions undermine the constitutional role of Congress, turning "Article I of the Constitution on its head," and expressed concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department. Disappointment was also voiced regarding the Attorney General's evasiveness during budget hearings, which was seen as obstructing congressional oversight.

Disaster Preparedness and Weather Monitoring

The bill was supported by Republicans for appropriately funding NOAA's weather units and the National Weather Service, essential for warning and protecting citizens, particularly in light of recent flooding. [ 00:11:07-00:11:27 ] Democrats, conversely, highlighted the administration's actions of freezing emergency funding for NOAA and dismissing National Weather Service forecasters, leading to concerns about less reliable weather data and endangering American communities. They argued that critical weather monitoring capabilities should not be subject to political whims and rely on appropriated funding.

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was predominantly contentious and highly partisan. Speakers on both sides expressed strong disagreements, with Democrats voicing "strong opposition" and "deep disappointment" over the bill's proposed cuts, accusing Republicans of abandoning citizens and undermining institutions. Republicans, in turn, defended the bill as necessary to curb spending and assert constitutional principles. A particularly heated exchange occurred regarding the ATF budget and potential conflicts of interest, reflecting the deep divisions present. The meeting concluded with the bill being favorably reported along party lines, underscoring the lack of bipartisan consensus.

Participants

Transcript

when compared to the total effective spending of the fiscal year 2025 enacted level.  Importantly, the bill makes strategic investments in several agencies while appropriately reducing others.  Despite recent progress in the fight against fentanyl 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.  Additionally, 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 neighborhoods by increasing funding for state and local law enforcement.   From 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 exploration, the 26th CJS bill continues to maintain funding levels for NASA and its endeavor to return to the moon.   With its site on Mars, NASA will not only lead the way to the next frontier, but it will also ensure America maintains a competitive advantage over China.
The legislation also protects and reinforces constitutional rights, such as the Second Amendment, by reining in and refocusing the ATF.   Under this bill, the law-abiding citizens will no longer feel threatened by the heavy hand of the Biden-era Department of Justice.   Additionally, flooding has inflicted much pain on the nation over the last few months.  From 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.  This bill does just that by appropriately funding NOAA's weather units.   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.  The 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 Meng for her continued partnership over the last few months.  I would also like to thank and acknowledge Chairman Cole for his vigorously
to the full committee and to the entire U.S.  House when it comes to funding our government.  Additionally, I would like to thank Ranking Member DeLauro for her tireless advocacy.   And 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 Meng for her opening remarks.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  I know that you and I share many of the same priorities.  However, 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.  As 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.  At 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, public 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.  This 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.  The 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.
The bill also leaves women and children more vulnerable to violence by sharply decreasing funding for Juvenile Justice and Violence Against Women Act grants.  It zeroes out community violence intervention and prevention grants, as well as hate crime prevention and prosecution grants.  And 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.  This 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 cost of living.

Sign up for free to see the full transcript

Accounts help us prevent bots from abusing our site. Accounts are free and will allow you to access the full transcript.

Sign up