House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on Tuesday called on Congress to use its “power of the purse” to halt Justice Department investigations into elected officials, political candidates and their family members until new policies are implemented at the department.
The demand was among several made by Jordan (R-Ohio) as he laid out his vision for how the appropriations process can “constrain out-of-control federal agencies,” such as the DOJ, FBI and Department of Homeland Security in an 11-page letter sent to House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) on Tuesday.
“None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used to conduct a politically sensitive investigation until the Department of Justice establishes a policy requiring non-partisan career staff to oversee such investigations,” Jordan writes of one of his “suggested priorities” to be included in the Congress’ 2024 appropriations bills.
“Politically sensitive investigations include those investigations of elected officials and their family members, political candidates and their family members, political organizations, religious organizations, and members of the media,” the Ohio Republican explains.
Jordan also asks that Granger prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to pay the salaries of FBI or DOJ officials who are found to have retaliated against whistleblowers, fund the Biden administration’s “radical immigration policies” or financially support the Global Engagement Center and other governmental and non-governmental entities “engaged in speech suppression.”
The House Judiciary Committee chairman also calls for eliminating taxpayer funding for any new FBI headquarters and instead demands that options for relocating the bureau outside of Washington, DC, be explored.
“The Committee remains concerned about the politicization of federal law enforcement power emanating from FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The centralization of FBI operations in the National Capitol Region has led to duplication of activity best left to the respective field offices, contributed to reduced autonomy in local field offices, and allowed improper political influence to taint law enforcement investigations and activity,” Jordan argues.
“None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to build a new FBI headquarters. In addition, the FBI is directed to submit an operational plan within 90 days to move the FBI Headquarters out of the National Capital Region. The operational plan should also consider the existing resources and infrastructure available at the FBI’s Redstone Arsenal Campus in Huntsville, AL,” he adds.
Jordan’s lengthy list of demands also mentions halting funding to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that would implement regulations related to pistol braces or so-called “ghost guns,” and stopping taxpayer money from being appropriated to administer hormone therapy medication or any other sort of gender-affirming care for migrants in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Our oversight and legislative efforts to date have informed these proposals, which will hold the federal government accountable to the American people. By utilizing the power of the purse, Congress can ensure that the federal agencies are working for the people of this country — not weaponized against them,” Jordan writes.
“These proposals are just a beginning,” the congressman adds.