Thank you, Chairman Cole. We would not be taking up this bill without your leadership. The hard work and focus that you bring to this Committee should be commended. It’s a long process – 12 bills through each respective subcommittee and then on to full committee is no easy task, and you do it with expertise. I want to thank you for your continued leadership. I would also like to thank Ranking Member Meng, Ranking Member DeLauro, and all Members of this Committee. Additionally, I would like to thank the Majority and Minority staff for their hard work.
The work that happens in this Committee is vitally important to our communities, and it would not be possible without Members’ ideas and dedication.
Today, we are continuing our work by taking up the fiscal year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill. The agencies funded in this bill impact the American people every day. That is why I am proud this legislation furthers the successes of the Trump Administration in the last 16 months and refocuses Federal agencies to ensure our government is working on behalf of Americans, not against them.
The bill before us today provides a total discretionary allocation of $77.341 billion, a $670 million decrease in spending below the fiscal year 2026 enacted level. Fentanyl and other opioids continue to poison our constituents and ravage communities. Too often, families and the dreams of our youth are destroyed by these and other drugs. To counter this devastation, this bill increases funding for DEA within the Department of Justice. DEA has brought multiple cartel leaders to justice, and with the additional resources provided in this bill, DEA can build on these hard-earned successes.
This bill also continues strong funding for other Federal law enforcement components that are working to secure our nation.
Moreover, from increased funding levels for the Byrne JAG formula program to the COPS Hiring program, this legislation puts our state and local law enforcement first. The men and women in blue who protect our families and neighborhoods every day are fully supported in this bill.
The bill also allocates $30 million to the Department of Justice’s new National Fraud Enforcement Division to advance President Trump’s efforts to combat fraud. With this investment, those who attempt to deceive the American people and steal their hard‑earned money will finally face the consequences.
The FY27 CJS bill also provides strong funding for the National Weather Service for much-needed weather forecast and warning enhancements to keep our people safe when severe storms strike. This is especially important to me as this week marks one year since an EF-4 tornado killed 19 people in my district.
Building on the success of Artemis II which launched flawlessly on the first of April and splashed down on April 10, the FY27 CJS bill maintains strong funding levels for NASA to ensure America remains the leader in space exploration. It is a pivotal time for human space exploration and national security.
This bill sets NASA on a path to return American astronauts to the Moon before China and ensures America maintains the competitive advantage. The legislation also protects and restores Constitutional rights, including by reining in and refocusing the ATF and fully supporting the Department of Justice’s new Second Amendment Section.
Overall, the provisions and funding levels in the bill protect everyday Americans and ensure our nation can thrive. Importantly, as we continue to celebrate National Police Week on Capitol Hill, there is no better bill to advance through Full Committee, and that is what we are going to do today. With that, I yield back.
