House Republicans Pass Funding Bill that Weakens the Economy and Makes Families and Children Less Safe

WASHINGTON — Today, the House Appropriations Committee marked up Republicans’ partisan fiscal year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies funding bill. 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 more than 1,000 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 turns its back on struggling communities and hard-working Americans, weakens our ability to fight crime, and jeopardizes our nation’s competitive edge,” said Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Ranking Member Grace Meng (NY-06). “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. The billions of dollars in cuts in this bill are not just numbers on a page. They are choices, and they are the wrong choices. I believe we should be doubling down on the investments in science that grow our economy and incentivize advancements that improve life for all Americans. This bill fails to do that. For all of these reasons, I cannot support this legislation.”

Congresswoman Meng’s full remarks are here. 

“This bill makes Americans less safe, weakens our economic and scientific competitiveness, and doubles down on the failed trade policies of the Trump administration,” Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “While American families struggle to afford basic goods and services, this bill weakens our economy and cuts off support for the middle class, the working class, and the vulnerable. While gun violence continues to terrorize our communities, this bill makes it harder to get illegal guns off the streets and hold those criminals accountable. And while other countries increase their investments in scientific innovation and the technology of the future, this bill pares back our commitments to develop, educate, and employ the next generation of American leaders through severe cuts to STEM education and science programs. We ought to invest in the safety of our communities, the resilience of our economy, and the future of our country. This bill fails on each one of those accounts.”

Congresswoman DeLauro’s full remarks are here. 

During today’s markup, Democrats were successful in passing Congresswoman Meng’s amendment to direct the Secretary of Commerce to support small businesses as they work to reclaim their money lost to President Trump’s unlawful tariffs. Republicans also joined Democrats in accepting Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s amendment to help ensure transparency into pretrial agreements that have historically allowed people like Jeffrey Epstein to avoid prosecution. Additionally, an amendment offered by Congressman Glenn Ivey, which would provide an additional $5 million in funding for the Office of Violence Against Women Legal Assistance for Victims program, was adopted.

Democrats offered a number of amendments that were rejected by Republicans, including amendments to:

• Provide $30 million for the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section, which was created in the wake of the Watergate scandal to prevent corruption by public officials and prosecute corruption when it occurs.
• Commission a report on the economic impact of President Trump’s tariffs.
• Make it harder for convicted domestic abusers to purchase firearms.  
• Prohibit the Bureau of Prisons from giving preferential treatment to drug traffickers or child traffickers.
• Prevent funds from being used in settlements designed to cancel offshore winds projects.
• Restore funding for Economic Development Assistance.
• Reduce the spread of untraceable and widely accessible “ghost” guns.
• Prohibit the federal government from persecuting Americans for exercising their First Amendment rights.

House Republicans rejected these efforts to combat crime and make American communities safer.

A summary of the bill is here. A fact sheet is here. 

The text of the bill, before the adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. Information on Community Project Funding in the bill is here.

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