Ranking Member Espaillat Remarks: Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Subcommittee Markup

WASHINGTON -- Today, Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Adriano Espaillat delivered the following remarks during the fiscal year 2027 Legislative Branch subcommittee markup:

Good morning, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Valadao, and Members of the Committee. 

Before I begin, I want to thank the staff on the Minority and Majority subcommittees for your work on this bill.

I also want to recognize my colleague and friend, Steny Hoyer. It has been an honor to serve with you on this Subcommittee. Congratulations on an extraordinary career of public service.

Mr. Chairman, as you noted, the interim allocation for the Legislative Branch is $7.3 billion. Yet this bill—excluding the Senate items—provides just $5.4 billion, $125 million below last year and far below the request.

I approached this process in good faith, ready to work across the aisle to strengthen this institution.

And yes, there are areas of progress, modest increases for the MRA, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol Police, along with continued support for Member security programs.

BUT THOSE GAINS ARE OVERSHADOWED.

The GAO is the guardian of taxpayer dollars and a cornerstone of congressional oversight.

In fiscal year 2026 alone, GAO’s work generated nearly $63 billion in cost savings.

This bill cuts the GAO by 25 percent and includes a rider that weakens its ability to hold the Executive Branch accountable.

LET’S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS: over 1,000 public servants could lose their jobs.

These are not targeted efficiencies; they are indiscriminate cuts that would significantly impair GAO’s ability to carry out its core mission.

THAT IS NOT JUST A CUT. IT IS A DIRECT HIT ON CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. 

I am also deeply disappointed that this bill once again shuts out DACA recipients from working in the Legislative Branch, even as they already serve in our offices and contribute to this institution.

If we believe in opportunity, we should be opening doors, not closing them.

This bill also falls short on investing in our aging infrastructure and on building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the American people.

BOTTOM LINE. This bill does not meet the moment.

It weakens oversight, limits opportunity, and underinvests in this institution.

FOR THESE REASONS, I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS BILL.

I urge my colleagues to come back to the table and produce a bill that truly strengthens Congress and the people we serve.

I yield back.