'You're Just Not Going To Follow The Law?'': Patty Murray Stunned By FBI Director Kash Patel's Answer

Forbes Breaking News

At Thursday's Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) called out FBI Director Kash Patel for not providing a spending plan.

Transcript

00:00We're privileged to have the ranking member, the vice chair of the full committee with us today, Senator Murray, you are recognized.

00:06Thank you very much, Chair Moran. It's good to work with you and ranking member Van Hollen in this new position.

00:12So I look forward to both of you and the work on this committee.

00:15You know, the FBI does really crucial work to keep our nation safe, whether it's stopping criminal organizations or domestic terrorists,

00:23it protects our nation's secrets, it prevents cyber attacks, keeps our children safe from harm, and a lot more.

00:29So this is really sober work with extremely high stakes.

00:34And I'm concerned that instead of focusing on the incredibly important mandate to keep Americans safe

00:40and to help impartially enforce our laws under your leadership, Director Patel,

00:45the FBI has been weaponized to go after Americans who disagree with the president.

00:50FBI resources have been diverted away from combating terrorism to focusing on immigration requests.

00:57And all of this, the diverted missions, the fewer resources, fewer agents, heightened politicization,

01:03is happening now under your watch, and it is, I believe, making Americans less safe.

01:09Now let me just start with the budget.

01:11As ranking member Van Hollen noted earlier, this hearing is being held without the FBI's fiscal year 2025 spend plan

01:20and a full budget request for fiscal year 2026.

01:23The spend plan is required by law.

01:26It was due to Congress over a week ago.

01:29We have not yet seen it.

01:30That is really absurd.

01:32The FBI is our nation's leading law enforcement agency, a budget of $10.7 billion.

01:38It is critical that we understand how you are spending taxpayer dollars.

01:43So, Director Patel, when should we expect this FY25 spend plan for the FBI?

01:49Have you seen it?

01:50Have you reviewed it?

01:51When will we get it?

01:52I'll get you an answer, ma'am.

01:53I don't have a timeline on that.

01:55It was due last week by law.

01:57I understand.

01:59And your answer is you just understand.

02:00You're not going to follow the law?

02:02My answer is that I am following the law, and I'm working with my interagency partners to do this

02:07and get you the budget that you are required to have.

02:10And you have no timeline?

02:12No.

02:13Well, we also need a full budget request, not a single paragraph full of wild talking points

02:22that we saw with the skinny budget proposal.

02:25We're now having a budget hearing without a budget request.

02:29So, Director Patel, where is the FY2026 budget request for the FBI?

02:34It's being worked on, ma'am.

02:36Have you reviewed it?

02:37Have you approved it?

02:38Not yet.

02:40When will we get it?

02:42As soon as I can get it from my interagency partners and get it approved.

02:46Six months from now?

02:48I don't know, ma'am.

02:49I'm not going to make up the timeline.

02:49Well, how do we as Congress do our budget and our work without that request and without the spend plan?

02:55Well, ma'am, I'm here.

02:55I'm doing the best I can.

02:57I can't make up answers.

02:58I'm going to commit to you to work on getting you the information you need.

03:00That is insufficient and deeply disturbing.

03:06No response?

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