House GOP negotiators refrained from directly allocating funds for Special Counsel Jack Smith in the upcoming Justice Department spending bill, but there’s a concerted effort among former President Trump’s allies to influence the final legislation.
According to sources at Fox News Digital, at least three House Republicans are planning to propose amendments to the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill. These amendments aim to impact the ongoing prosecutions related to Trump. Representative Andrew Clyde from Georgia expressed disappointment that his proposal to restrict funding for these prosecutions wasn’t included in the base text. He confirmed plans to introduce it as an amendment during the upcoming legislative process.
Another prominent Trump ally, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, is also expected to submit a similar amendment targeting the funding of special counsels. Greene criticized the GOP for not initially including provisions to defund Smith directly in the bill.
Representative Andy Ogles from Tennessee has similarly indicated his intention to introduce an amendment aimed at stripping funding for Jack Smith’s activities, underscoring a broader push within the GOP to curtail these investigations.
The CJS appropriations bill, unveiled recently, slashes funding for the Justice Department by nearly $1 billion. It includes cuts to the FBI’s budget and blocks the construction of a new headquarters, reflecting broader fiscal conservatism within the legislation.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio has signaled support for measures to reduce funding specifically allocated to investigations involving Trump in states like Georgia and New York. Jordan’s stance aligns with a letter he sent to House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, advocating for language in the spending bill that would restrict federal funding to state prosecutors and attorneys general involved in what he termed “lawfare.”
When asked about these proposed amendments, a spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana highlighted ongoing deliberations within the Committee on Appropriations. Johnson emphasized the importance of congressional oversight and accountability in the process, noting the need for thoughtful consideration rather than mere symbolic gestures.
Despite these efforts in the House, any amendments targeting Trump’s prosecutions are likely to face significant challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate. The Senate is concurrently developing its own version of the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bills, suggesting potential disagreements over the inclusion of such contentious measures.
As the CJS appropriations bill progresses through the House Appropriations Committee and heads towards a full chamber vote next month, the debate over funding for special counsels and related investigations promises to remain a focal point of partisan contention and legislative maneuvering.