Cole Remarks at FY25 Financial Services and General Government Bill Full Committee Markup

The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act impacts every American and guides critical departments and agencies. From our economy and court systems to mail and government accountability, our constituents expect effective governance.  

Today’s bill protects taxpayers while supporting critical functions. It’s a reflection of accomplishing more with less by ensuring agencies are focused on their core missions.

We also constrain bureaucratic overreach and provide critical oversight over the Executive Branch.

It prevents President Biden from imposing a radical progressive agenda on the American people, defunding Green New Deal-type and so-called “diversity and inclusion” initiatives.

It brings the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau into the appropriations and oversight process and rejects the Biden Administration’s request for three point five billion dollars to build a new FBI Headquarters building.

Further, the measure also provides critical oversight for the District of Columbia. It retains the conscience clause for D.C. contraceptive requirements, prohibits non-citizens from voting in D.C. elections, and stops D.C. from carrying out a deeply misguided anti-police policy.

This bill right-sizes agencies and programs while ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of operations for the American people.

I thank Chairman Joyce and Ranking Member Hoyer for their hard work on this legislation, and I look forward to today’s markup.