Hal Rogers: Commerce Bill Will 'Protect Our Families' By Funding Law Enforcement And DEA Efforts

Forbes Breaking News

During a House Appropriation Committee markup meeting held before the Congressional recess, Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) spoke about the FY26 Commerce, Justice, and Science Bill.

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00:00of the fiscal year 2025 enacted level.

00:05Importantly, the bill makes strategic investments in several agencies

00:11while appropriately reducing others.

00:16Despite recent progress in the fight against fentanyl and other opioids,

00:21overdose deaths continue to plague our communities and our neighborhoods.

00:27As a result, this bill continues to ensure the DEA within the Department of Justice

00:36receives the funding it needs to combat illicit drug use and drug trafficking.

00:44Additionally, the Bureau of Prisons is also funded at a level that will continue

00:50to reform and enhance the nation's prison system.

00:55Moreover, the fiscal year 2026 bill strongly supports the men and women in blue

01:02that protect our families and neighborhoods

01:06by increasing funding for state and local law enforcement.

01:13From increased funding levels directed to the burn JAG program,

01:18to the COPS hiring program.

01:21The fiscal year 2026 legislation puts our law enforcement first.

01:28To ensure America is the leader in space exploration,

01:33the 26th CJS bill continues to maintain funding levels for NASA

01:39and its endeavor to return to the moon.

01:42With its site on Mars, NASA will not only lead the way to the next frontier,

01:50but it will also ensure America maintains a competitive advantage over China.

01:59The legislation also protects and reinforces constitutional rights,

02:04such as the Second Amendment,

02:06but reining in and refocusing the ATF.

02:22It don't work.

02:24Under this bill, the law-abiding citizens will no longer feel the threatened

02:34by the heavy hand of the Biden-era Department of Justice.

02:41Additionally, flooding has inflicted much pain on the nation over the last few months.

02:48From my district in Kentucky to Texas,

02:53now is the time to ensure the National Weather Service

02:56is equipped with the funding it needs

02:59to warn and protect our citizens.

03:03This bill does just that by appropriately funding NOAA's weather units.

03:12Overall, the provisions and funding levels in the fiscal year 26 bill

03:16will protect our children, our families, our neighborhoods, and our country.

03:21I would like to thank all of the subcommittee members

03:26for their attention and participation in these budget hearings these past few months.

03:35The testimony that we received and corresponding answers to our questions

03:40directly impacted the drafting of this legislation.

03:44Importantly, I would like to thank Ranking Member Meng

03:48for her continued partnership over the last few months.

03:53I would also like to thank and acknowledge Chairman Cole

03:57for his vigorous leadership

04:00to the full committee

04:03and to the entire U.S. House

04:06when it comes to funding our government.

04:09Additionally, I would like to thank Ranking Member DeLauro

04:13for her tireless advocacy.

04:25And lastly, let me thank both the majority and minority staff

04:29for assisting with the development and production

04:33of this year's bill.

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