GOP Lawmaker Tells Bondi To Her Face That He Is 'Concerned By The Depth' Of Proposed DOJ Budget Cuts

At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) spoke to AG Pam Bondi about proposed budget cuts at DOJ.

Transcript

00:00This hearing will consider the president's budget request for the United States Department of Justice.

00:05We welcome the witness, United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi,

00:09who was confirmed earlier this year as the 87th United States Attorney General.

00:14The president has requested $33.6 billion for the Department of Justice for FY 2026.

00:21This is a reduction of $2.5 billion, or 7%, from FY25 enacted levels.

00:28This cut entails the reduction of approximately 5,100 positions,

00:32including attorneys, special agents, deputy U.S. marshals, and professional staff.

00:38I commend the Attorney General for efforts to streamline the department,

00:41achieve operational efficiencies, and find savings for the American taxpayer.

00:46Even having said that, though, I am concerned by the depth of some of the proposed cuts.

00:50This includes, most importantly, cuts to DOJ law enforcement agencies

00:54and cuts in the DOJ grant programs that support state and local law enforcement.

01:00For example, the request proposes cutting funding from the Drug Enforcement Agency administration

01:04by $111 million, and further proposes $100 million in prior year appropriations.

01:12The benefits of our investments in DEA speak for themselves,

01:17because just last month, the department struck a decisive blow against the Sonola cartel

01:22and executed the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history.

01:27I don't believe any of us want to forego incredible work being done by the DEA,

01:31as well as all of the department's law enforcement components.

01:34The budget further proposes a number of reorganizations within the department,

01:39consistent with its agency's reorganization and reduction plan.

01:43I'm open to agency reorganization proposals.

01:46Everyone on this dais knows how hard they can be to achieve,

01:49but that should not stop us from finding ways to streamline the federal government

01:52and save taxpayer dollars.

01:55Some of the proposals will require further deliberation.

01:57I have heard concerns with the proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms into the DEA.

02:06These concerns come from state and local law enforcement officials in my home state,

02:11who depend upon ATF's NIVEN network to develop critical intelligence on crime guns.

02:17I've also heard serious concerns from Second Amendment advocates,

02:20and I believe it has been fairly raised about the propriety of associating firearms,

02:24a constitutionally protected right, with the truly evil things such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Mexican cartels.

02:32General Bondi, it is my hope that the department will work collaborative with us, this subcommittee,

02:37to evaluate the reorganization proposals and, where appropriate, make changes.

02:42General Bondi, I thank you for your testimony today.

02:44I look forward to hearing what you have to say in response to my Senate colleagues' questions.