Smoke & Mirrors:
Bill Slashing $1 Billion From FBI Budget Advances In House
House Republicans on July 14 advanced a bill that would slash $1 billion from the budget of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over previous levels amid ongoing concerns with the agency’s conduct.
The bill comprises a $400 million salary cut… and prohibits the FBI and others from using funding to “conduct any diversity, equity, inclusion, or explicit bias training.”
The appropriations bill, which was passed through the House Committee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in a party-line vote, would reduce the agency’s funding from the $11.3 billion it received this financial year to $10.3 billion (pdf). The reduction would return the agency’s funding to roughly 2022 levels.
The roughly 9 percent cut comprises a $400 million salary cut for the FBI over previous levels.
It comes amid a series of frustrations with the agency, which Republican lawmakers say has been weaponized against conservatives as they seek to address several key concerns.
The bill prohibits the FBI and others from using funding to “conduct any diversity, equity, inclusion, or explicit bias training.”
That provision comes after Republicans in the House passed a similar amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), barring the Department of Defense from promoting similar concepts.
More below the fold.
Wray told Congress that Bank of America provided them with a “huge list” of financial records for Americans who used BofA cards around the capitol on January 6th. That’s right: no warrants, no court hearings, just blindly turning over records when the FBI asks.
Continue reading FBI Defunding bill will fail in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority.
