Cole Remarks at FY25 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill Subcommittee Markup

Thank you, Chairman Rogers, and thank you to Ranking Member Cartwright, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee for your participation in this process. 

From the frontlines of U.S. law enforcement and economic trade – all the way up to space exploration – the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee oversees agencies consequential to our country.

The Fiscal Year 2025 bill before us today brings savings to taxpayers and protects the constitutional rights of Americans against political weaponization of the justice system. It enhances accountability and oversight to address the politicization and overreach of the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

Numerous regulations that impede American citizens and businesses are prevented from moving forward or outright prohibited in this bill.

Importantly, the bill makes critical investments to confront fentanyl and the deadly scourge of addiction that has stolen far too many lives. The legislation also robustly supports our local law enforcement and their work to protect our communities.

Finally, the bill prioritizes our science agencies and appropriately funds the advancement of space exploration at NASA. It also confronts China’s efforts to steal U.S. technology and innovation.

The Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations is a product that reflects making needed decisions to rein in wasteful spending and limit this Administration’s overly political agencies that should have no part in American society. 

I would like to thank Chairman Rogers for his thoughtful approach to this bill and to the Ranking Member.

I look forward to this bill’s advancement through the appropriations process.