FBI Budget to be Reduced Amid Accusations of Bias

Congressional leaders have announced plans to reduce annual funding for the FBI in the upcoming spending bill, which is set to be voted on by the House and Senate before Friday to prevent a partial government shutdown.

The FBI will see a 6% decrease in funding, amounting to $654 million, bringing its budget down to $10.7 billion, as reported by the Washington Examiner.

Republicans claim that the bill aims to address the perceived weaponization of the FBI bureaucracy by leveraging budgetary control.

The spending bill, known as “minibus” legislation, encompasses funding for the Justice Department, the FBI, and various other agencies through Sept. 30.

In response, the FBI expressed concerns on Monday that the fiscal 2024 plan will hinder its ability to carry out essential operations, such as protecting the nation from terrorism, conducting firearm background checks, and combating violent crime, drugs, gangs, and transnational organized crime.

The FBI also warned that the budget cut will impede counterintelligence efforts and benefit China.