House GOP negotiators are contemplating amendments to the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill that could impact the funding for Special Counsel Jack Smith. While the base text of the bill did not directly target Smith's funding, several House Republicans, including Rep. Andrew Clyde, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Rep. Andy Ogles, are planning to introduce amendments to restrict taxpayer dollars from funding the prosecution of a presidential candidate before the 2024 election.
Rep. Clyde expressed disappointment that his policy was not included in the base text but confirmed his intention to file the amendment during the legislative process. Similarly, Rep. Greene and Rep. Ogles are also gearing up to introduce amendments aimed at stripping Smith's funding.
The CJS appropriations bill, released recently, includes significant cuts to the Justice Department's funding, reducing it by nearly $1 billion. Additionally, the bill proposes a 3.5% cut to the FBI's budget and blocks the construction of a new bureau headquarters in Maryland.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan hinted at advocating for cuts to the Trump investigations in Georgia and New York within the CJS bill. He previously recommended eliminating federal funding for state prosecutors or attorneys general involved in what he termed as 'lawfare.'
Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for accountability in Congress, stating that thoughtful discussions and debates were ongoing regarding the best approach to achieve this. While Johnson acknowledged the necessity of a function like Smith's, he also highlighted the importance of ensuring that special counsels do not abuse their authority.
The CJS appropriations bill is currently under review by a panel on the House Appropriations Committee and is expected to undergo a chamber-wide vote next month. However, even if the amendments targeting Trump's prosecutions are included in the bill, their consideration by the Democrat-controlled Senate remains uncertain, as the Senate is developing its own version of the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bills.
