Americans Struggle with the High Cost of Living, Republicans Raise Prices
Republican Commerce, Justice, Science Funding Bill Hurts the Economy, Makes Children and Families Less Safe
WASHINGTON — House Republicans today released their draft fiscal year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The bill hurts the economy as Americans struggle to keep up with high prices, makes families and children less safe, and continues Republicans’ attacks on America’s competitiveness.
For 2027, the bill provides $80 billion, a $1.2 billion, or 1.5 percent cut, below 2026. The legislation:
- Hurts the economy and harms hardworking Americans who cannot keep up with the high cost of living by gutting Economic Development Administration (EDA) programs that mainly serve rural communities, as well as International Trade Administration (ITA) programs that promote U.S. exports and fight the unfair trade practices of other countries.
- Makes families and children less safe by eliminating hundreds of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) law enforcement positions and slashing legal services, Juvenile Justice grants, Community Violence Intervention and Prevention grants, hate crime prevention grants, and other resources that prevent violence.
- Continues Republicans’ attacks on America’s scientific and economic competitiveness by cutting billions from scientific research, technology development, and STEM education of the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
“The CJS appropriations bill once again falls short. It does not do nearly enough to support public safety, small businesses, and working Americans, and undermines our nation’s competitive edge,” Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Meng (D-NY-06) said. “At a time when families and small businesses are already facing increased costs—and bearing the burden of the President’s tariffs—this legislation only adds to those challenges. The huge cuts to economic development grants and business support programs will further limit growth and opportunity. Additionally, during a time when Americans live in fear of gun violence and hate crimes, cuts to prevention programs and to the ATF would leave American communities less safe. Particularly concerning are the reductions to STEM research and education, which are critical to supporting our bright young minds and developing talent in the United States to continue American innovation and maintain long-term economic competitiveness. For all of these reasons, I cannot support this legislation.”
“Republicans’ 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science funding bill shows Republicans are not focused on the cost-of-living crisis. They are making it worse. By gutting programs that support economic development, promote United States exports, and fight unfair trade practices, this bill fails the working class, the middle class, and vulnerable Americans,” Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “Under this funding bill, Americans would be less safe. Republicans have introduced yet another bill that threatens public safety, completely eliminates several violence prevention grants, and weakens law enforcement at all levels. They want to slash resources for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), forcing ATF to reduce its workforce by hundreds of positions, hurting its ability to prevent illegal gun trafficking and to assist State and local law enforcement in capturing dangerous criminals. Americans want an affordable, safe place to live and raise their families. This bill only makes them less secure.”
A summary of House Republicans’ 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies funding bill is here. A fact sheet is here. The text of the bill is here. The subcommittee markup will be webcast live on the House Committee on Appropriations website.
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