Latest news with #HouseAppropriations
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
U.S. House Committee Advances Spending Bill That Would Block Cannabis Rescheduling
Marijuana plant at outdoor cannabis farm field getty A House subcommittee has approved a spending bill that includes measures to block the Department of Justice from moving forward with cannabis rescheduling. The Republican-led House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies on July 15 approved a spending bill in a 9-6 vote that includes a provision that would prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using funds to reschedule cannabis. The move would further stall the process of reviewing cannabis initiated by former U.S. President Joe Biden, which current President Donald Trump appeared to support. Section 607 of the spending bill stipulates that none of the funds available by this bill may be used by the DOJ to reschedule cannabis or to remove it from the schedules established under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Cannabis is currently listed in Schedule I of the CSA, along with other substances like heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. Rescheduling it to Schedule III, as has been proposed, would mean fewer restrictions on research, greater access to medical cannabis, and a reduced tax burden for cannabis businesses. Today, despite being still federally illegal, 39 states have legalized cannabis for medical use, and 24 also for recreational purposes. Stalled Cannabis Rescheduling The review of cannabis rescheduling started in 2022, when then-President Biden instructed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the DOJ to review the status of cannabis under the CSA. In 2023, HHS recommended moving the substance from Schedule I to Schedule III. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) then opened a public comment window, receiving over 40,000 comments. The U.S. attorney general, who is currently Pam Bondi, has the authority to schedule, reschedule, or deschedule drugs under the CSA. However, the attorney general usually delegates this authority to the DEA. But the agency's hearings related to the rescheduling of cannabis are currently stalled. Initially set to begin on January 21, DEA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John Mulrooney postponed them. Since then, no dates for cannabis hearings have been set. During his election campaign, Trump supported cannabis reform, but since he took office in January, little has been heard from him about it. On Monday, The Marijuana Herald reported that Trump told two House lawmakers in a private meeting, 'We'll be moving forward soon,' referring to cannabis rescheduling. The quote originated from a staffer who was present, but the news site was unable to confirm it independently. Last week, former football player and cannabis advocate Ricky Williams met with senior Trump officials at the White House to talk about the federal cannabis rescheduling process. Meanwhile, yesterday, Trump signed a bill into law that will ban illicit fentanyl. The law also contains measures that ease restrictions on conducting research into Schedule I drugs, in which cannabis is included. Separately, Congress is also moving to close a loophole opened by the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill, which includes a provision banning intoxicating hemp products that mimic cannabis effects, like delta-8 THC. However, the implementation of this measure would be delayed for one year.
Fox News
17-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Key Republican calls for emergency funding to Israel amid worsening Iran conflict
A key House Republican says Congress should consider sending emergency U.S. aid to Israel amid its worsening conflict with Iran. "Yeah, absolutely," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., said when asked about a supplemental funding package in the event the crisis became a prolonged conflict. "There's very, very, very strong bipartisan support, in particular Republican support, for Israel, and I think again, what we are seeing is Israel doing what they need to do to protect themselves from literally being wiped off the face of the planet." He also commended President Donald Trump as having handled the volatile situation "brilliantly so far." The Florida Republican chairs the House Appropriations Committee panel responsible for overseeing foreign aid and State Department funding. The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs subcommittee was key to Congress crafting emergency foreign aid packages to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine last year — all of which passed Congress with varying degrees of bipartisan support. Diaz-Balart said he had not spoken with House leaders about the issue, noting most lawmakers were away in their home districts tending to their constituencies this week. He added, "I've actually had informal conversations with members." He declined to say how those members felt about supplemental Israel funding, however, telling Fox News Digital, "I can't speak for others, but I will tell you that there is a very strong appetite from me to make sure that Israel has all the help that it needs in order to finish the job that it's doing." Meanwhile, he and his fellow subcommittee members have also been crafting their appropriations bill for the next fiscal year coming on Oct. 1. "We're going to do what we've been consistently doing, is just, we're going to be helping Israel. And if there is a need to do more, obviously you're going to see strong support, whether it's in the appropriation… bills, or if we need a supplemental, I think you would see strong bipartisan support," he said. Last year, the House authorized just over $26 billion in emergency U.S. funding for Israel, humanitarian aid in the region, and shore up American military operations. The bill passed in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 366 to 58 vote — an increasingly rare occurrence for major legislation in the current political climate. Twenty-one House Republicans and 37 Democrats voted against the measure at the time. But since then, Democrats have continued to grow increasingly critical of Israel's war in Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government. At the same time, there's been a growing skepticism of foreign aid among the House GOP — particularly with the national debt climbing toward $37 trillion. Diaz-Balart, however, was still optimistic that a hypothetical aid package could pass if brought up in Congress, when asked about both of those factors. Israeli officials said Iran was dangerously close to having a nuclear weapon when its military launched an attack on Tehran that killed the Islamic regime's top military figures and hit nuclear sites in and around the capital. Since then, both sides have exchanged rocket fire, with fatalities reported on both sides. Fox News Digital reached out to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., for comment on the possibility of supplemental funding to Israel.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Mike Levin: ‘I Was Shocked' When Republicans Voted Against Respect America's Constitution Amendment
On "Forbes Newsroom," Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) spoke about his amendment, the Respect America's Constitution Amendment, which reaffirms that only Congress has the power to spend or not spend taxpayer dollars, and was unanimously voted against in the House Appropriations Committee by Republicans. Watch the full interview above.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
ICE slammed for overspending amid ‘egregious' funding mismanagement in House report
A 168-page House report has slammed the Department of Homeland Security for 'egregious' funding mismanagement. The House Appropriations Committee released its report on Wednesday for the Homeland Security funding bill, conveying complaints regarding departmental policies. The report also included guidance on how it would like the funding for the 2026 fiscal year to be spent. One of the concerns included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spending more money than it had received. Lawmakers from both the Democrats and the Republicans have made such complaints amid the Trump administration's ratcheting up of deportations. This comes as the White House waits for Congress to pass a spending package, which may include billions of dollars in funding for immigration enforcement. 'Actions already taken in fiscal year 2025 are especially egregious —ICE began spending more than its appropriated level shortly after the fiscal year commenced and operations now far exceed available resources,' the report states. Fiscal year 2025 began in October. 'While the Committee recognizes the dynamic environment in which ICE must function, neither ICE nor the Department should rely on other components to fund the deficits that ICE itself often creates,' it adds. 'Not only does that presuppose that other missions within DHS are less important, but it also sets the precedent that the Department can shift funding away from congressional priorities within other components to compensate for ICE's budgetary mismanagement.' The report states that such mismanagement is 'unacceptable' and calls on ICE to update the committee on a monthly basis, 'to ensure appropriate congressional oversight.' The Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee chair, Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada, told ICE Director Todd Lyon during a recent hearing that the agency was at risk of violating the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from incurring expenses before Congress has approved the spending. 'I would appreciate it if you, for your part, would let folks know up your chain of command that this information, if it's not coming in real time, is not useful,' Amodei told Lyons, according to Politico. He added that they 'have to keep in mind things like the Antideficiency Act … and I'll just be honest with you, speaking for me, I don't know that I have the information that I need to make sure that we're doing our job in the context of that.' The report also states that there are concerns about the TSA, FEMA policy, cybersecurity, as well as the Coast Guard, in addition to the other agencies operated by DHS. The full committee will mark up the bill on Thursday; however, Republican leadership in the House hasn't announced any floor action as of yet on any of the bills handling fiscal year 2026. Bipartisan funding negotiations haven't started with less than four months until the start of the next fiscal year. Additionally, the White House has yet to send a full budget request. Two-thirds of federal law enforcement spending is taken up by immigration and border issues for the 2025 fiscal year, the Cato Institute noted. That includes roughly $19 billion for CBP, $10 billion for ICE, $3.2 billion for DHS general offices, and $281 million for USCIS. ICE spending has increased significantly since its creation in 2003. Recently, its budget has gone from $8.4 billion in 2023 to $9.6 billion in 2024, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for 2026 currently includes proposed funding for ICE of $11 billion, about $960 million more than this year. While congressional Republicans have shared concerns about the Trump administration spending too much on deportations, the White House is so far pushing ahead anyway, according to Politico. The administration is pushing legislators to pass the 'big, beautiful bill,' which would add billions of dollars for border security. The Big Beautiful Bill Act would direct $168 billion to immigration and border security, according to the Congressional Budget Office, compared to $34 billion in fiscal year 2025. This comes as Trump aide Stephen Miller is pushing for at least 3,000 arrests of illegal immigrants a day. Lyons noted earlier this month that ICE is currently averaging about 1,600. An administration official told Politico earlier this month: 'It's not just the Democrats saying they'll throw a wrench in this. It's the Republicans, too, questioning why we're spending beyond our means.'
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Blue-haired Democrat snaps during showdown with Pete Hegseth... just days after her furious tirade at RFK Jr
In a dramatic moment on Capitol Hill Democratic congresswoman Rosa DeLauro abruptly cut off Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, raising her voice as he outlined his department's ambitious plans to ramp up submarine production. On Tuesday, Hegseth testified before the House Appropriations Committee in Washington DC, where lawmakers pressed him about the defense department's 2026 budget. The administration's $1 trillion plan includes major investments to boost Navy submarine construction in Connecticut. Among the committee members was blue-haired, Connecticut Rep Rosa DeLauro, who became visibly agitated as she demanded Hegseth clarify his plans. 'Well first of all I want to thank this committee for the flexibility alongside fiscal year 2025 and the continuing resolution,' Hegseth began, seconds before the hearing took a chaotic turn. Without letting him to finish his sentence DeLauro swiftly interrupted, snapping: 'Well I would hope that you would thank this committee for the funding that it had made'. 'We have made a serious investment, so your first statement is inaccurate,' she added. 'We have focused squarely on submarines and now we want to know where that is going and what your plan is for the continued investments to reach production levels and make sure that that is an area that is covered for our national security.' When DeLauro accused Hegseth of lacking details in his plan, he quickly fired back, acknowledging that the investment was indeed earmarked for shipbuilding and submarine production. When DeLauro accused Hegseth of lacking details in his plan he quickly fired back, acknowledging that the investment was indeed earmarked for shipbuilding The 45-year-old Defense Secretary claimed that former President Joe Biden had recklessly wasted much of the previous funding. At the mere mention of Biden, DeLauro cut in once again, snapping at Hegseth, 'Please - I want your plan!' 'I've had difficulty with the prior administration and I don't mind calling them out,' she shouted. 'What is your plan for the future?' 'Can we get that in writing and on paper so that we know where you're going? Because we don't have anything today! We have zip, nada, in knowing where you're going,' she continued, angrily raising her voice with each word. 'You can talk percentages. You can talk about whatever you want. But unless this committee sees dollars and cents and where you're going and what your plan is, then we can reconsider what you're planning to do to go forward. Give us the details!' Yet the irate congresswoman abruptly cut off the exchange, denying Hegseth any chance to respond. The fiery exchange unfolded just weeks after DeLauro found herself locked in another explosive match - this time with RFK Jr. Last month, the US Secretary of Health faced tough questions from both Republicans and Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee about his specific department's 2026 budget. During the hearing, DeLauro accused RFK Jr of breaking the law by cutting funding already approved by Congress - specifically targeting money allocated to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as reported by WSHU. When DeLauro pressed him on whether he would commit to spending the funds allocated in the 2024 budget, RFK Jr replied, 'As I said, Ranking Member, if you appropriate the money, I'm going to spend that money.' 'The money has been appropriated,' DeLauro snapped. 'If you're not willing to accept the funds that have been lawfully voted by members of the House and Senate, on the money for the National Institutes of Health.' 'Well, I'm going to hold you to your word that that funding is there; it should be transferred from 2024 to 2025,' she continued, speaking with her hands and aggressively pointing her finger in his direction. 'You've cut, already, $20 billion. Let's get that money back. You have an obligation to carry out the law and to implement what Congress has done.' Before moving on to the next topic of discussion, DeLauro angrily shuffled her papers around while repeating, 'Unbelievable. Unbelievable'. The discussion then moved to the department's plans to improve the healthiness of school lunches for children. Kennedy began calmly describing updated federal nutrition guidelines that will tell people to 'eat whole food', before getting visibly animated. 'I've been touring these Head Start facilities, and everything they eat is in a package. It's loaded with sugar and with chemicals,' he told Rep John Moolenaar of Michigan. 'We're poisoning this generation… the poorest kids in our country, and we're starting them out with this count against them.' Head Start, a federal early education program for low-income families with kids under 5, faces elimination under Trump's latest budget proposal, which would cut school funding for over 500,000 pregnant women, babies, and children. 'If anybody thinks that we did gold standard medicine in this country from these institutions, look at our children! They're the sickest children in the world,' Kennedy exclaimed. Kennedy then turned to DeLauro, who has authored legislation, written to Congress, worked with advocacy groups and pressured the industry to remove dyes and additives from food for decades. 'Congresswoman DeLauro, you say you've worked for 20 years on getting food dye out,' RFK said. 'Give me credit! I got it out in 100 days.' In April, RFK and fellow federal health officials announced they had come to 'an understanding' with food manufacturers on a proposal to phase out the use of Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 by the end of 2026, and begin using natural alternatives. Foods still contain dyes and additives. 'Let's work together and do something that we all believe in, which is to have healthy kids in our country for God's sake,' RFK said.
