Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said, “This bill strategically balances federal funding to support American values and priorities by investing in programs that strengthen our economy and policies that protect our constitutional rights, while cutting wasteful spending and pushing back on blatant attempts to weaponize our justice system for political gain. This pro-law enforcement legislation provides much-needed tools to make our communities safer, and specifically reins in the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. As we continue to battle the nation’s opioid epidemic and the deadly rise in fentanyl overdoses, we are empowering the Drug Enforcement Administration to enhance its successful work to shut down the pervasive trafficking of illicit drugs from China and Mexico. This bill also ensures that America remains the global leader in science and space explorations as adversaries like China ramp up global aggression.
 
“Throughout our hearings and committee meetings, we have heard from our nation’s leaders and experts to ensure we make the best use of every taxpayer dollar, and I applaud my good friend, Chairman Tom Cole for his astute leadership and oversight throughout the appropriations process for the good of the American people.”

Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “This bill prioritizes fiscal sanity and the liberties of the American people. It halts the weaponization of the federal government against its citizens and enhances congressional oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Investments support our brave men and women in blue, combat crime, and stop the deadly scourge of illicit drugs from reaching our communities. The legislation also safeguards U.S. innovation by confronting China’s efforts to target every aspect of American enterprise. Utilizing his many years of experience, Chairman Rogers put together a strong bill that strengthens the safety of our communities.” 

Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $78.288 billion, which is effectively $1.275 billion (2%) below the Fiscal Year 2024 spending level. 
 
The bill provides a non-defense discretionary total of $71.932 billion and a defense discretionary total of $6.356 billion.
 
The bill reins in the Washington bureaucracy by rightsizing agencies and programs and directs funding to support the fight against fentanyl, state and local law enforcement, and efforts to counter the People’s Republic of China.
 
Importantly, the bill utilizes the power of the purse to address the weaponization of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and bring an end to the overreach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
 
Key Takeaways

• Ends the abuses of power at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and focuses the Executive Branch on its core responsibilities by:
• Holding the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) accountable for targeting everyday Americans by cutting its budget and mandating critical reforms.
• Prevents the FBI from developing a new headquarters building in the National Capitol Region by limiting its use of existing construction balances to the sustainment of the J. Edgar Hoover Building.
• Mandating that FBI interviews be recorded.
• Reversing anti-Second Amendment overreach by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), defunding the ATF’s rules on pistol braces and privately made firearms.
• Defunding Attorney General Garland’s October 4, 2021, memorandum to the FBI that targets parents for speaking out at school board meetings.
• Defunding Executive Order 14092, which calls for an assault weapons ban.
• Defunding efforts to federalize state and local policing practices.
• Reducing funds for certain DOJ litigating components in response to the DOJ’s abuse of the FACE Act.
• Increasing oversight of DOJ grant programs and funds.
• Eliminating unnecessary and wasteful programs.

• Bolsters our national security by:
• Mandating the re-establishment of the DOJ’s China Initiative.
• Supporting the American research enterprise to counter China’s increasing investments in basic research and technology development.
• Investing in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.
• Supporting the critical Artemis program to advance American leadership in Space and counter China’s malign ambitions.
• Protecting U.S. research from Chinese theft by supporting the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Office of Research Security Strategy and Policy.
• Rejecting the Administration’s request to halt reimbursements to law enforcement for the costs of incarcerating unauthorized criminal aliens.
• Mandating that the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) reinstate case completion performance metrics to increase immigration adjudications and hold immigration judges accountable.
• Maintaining strong support for law enforcement, preserving robust funding for Byrne JAG formula grants and COPS Hiring grants that assist state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Focusing DOJ grant funding on programs that assist law enforcement in addressing the opioid crisis, combating child exploitation, eliminating the rape kit backlog, and preventing school violence.
• Enhancing multi-agency efforts to combat transnational organized crime and reduce the availability of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl.

• Supports American values and principles by:
  • Maintaining all legacy firearms riders and adding new provisions that strengthen Second Amendment protections.
  • Maintaining the long-standing Hyde prohibition that prevents the use of DOJ funds to pay for abortion.
  • Bolstering funds to combat child exploitation.
  • Eliminating progressive grant programs that support criminal leniency.
  • Protecting Americans against religious discrimination.
  • Prohibiting the DOJ from censoring lawful speech or classifying speech as misinformation.
  • Ensuring state and local law enforcement resources are used as intended—not to promote progressive ideologies.

A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.