Shaheen Chairs Appropriations Hearing with Attorney General Garland on Department of Justice FY25 Budget Request

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, today chaired a hearing with Attorney General Merrick Garland about the Department of Justice’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request.

In her opening remarks, Senator Shaheen noted that the Fiscal Responsibility Act discretionary spending limits have a significant impact on the Department of Justice (DOJ). In FY24, that meant $1.2 billion dollars less for the Department’s critical national security and community safety missions than in FY23. Shaheen specifically noted the impact to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and how these cuts impact its ability to counter threats of terrorism and keep our country safe. You can watch the Senator’s opening remarks here.

The Senator continued on to ask Attorney General Garland questions about the fentanyl crisis that continues to plague every state, including New Hampshire, and the DOJ’s efforts to interdict these and other drugs and prosecute those responsible for bringing them into the U.S. She also asked about anomalous health incidents and the importance of expediting efforts to ensure that the HAVANA Act, which provides compensation to affected individuals, is fully implemented. The Attorney General confirmed that he signed the interim final rule this week and its imminent implementation. This follows Senator Shaheen’s recent bipartisan letter to President Biden demanding full implementation of the HAVANA Act by the Department of Justice.

Finally, she secured Attorney General Garland’s commitment to look at ways to better recruit, hire and retain federal corrections officers in rural areas, such as the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, including salaries and benefits incentives.

You can view these question rounds here and here.

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