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Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08), a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, welcomed and addressed U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at today’s House Appropriations Hearing on the proposed Justice Department’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request.

A transcript of Cartwright’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, follows:

“Thank you, Chairman Mike Rogers, and I would like to echo you in welcoming Attorney General Garland back to the subcommittee to discuss the Department of Justice’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request.

And thank you, Attorney General Garland, for your continued leadership at the Department, leading the men and women of the DOJ who work tirelessly to continue the pursuit of truth and justice.

Resources provided to the Justice Department are and will continue to be under a microscope, but the mission of the Justice Department remains unchanged. I look forward to working with you to ensure we are making smart investments to keep our communities safe.

Just last week we had FBI Director Christopher Wray before us and we heard about the real challenges that the FBI, along with its State, local and tribal law enforcement partners, are facing, especially in keeping deadly fentanyl off our streets. I heard Director Wray clearly – State and local law enforcement are asking for more from the FBI – not less.  I trust that could also be said for many other bureaus of the Department.  

Further, the defense of our national security and mitigation of emerging foreign and domestic threats, including cyber, is critical – especially in an election year. The Department’s role in upholding the rule of law and preserving our democratic values for free and fair elections cannot be understated. 

To carry out the Department’s broad missions, your fiscal year 2025 budget request seeks $38.9 billion in discretionary funding, a 5 percent increase above the fiscal year 2024 enacted level.  

It prioritizes funding for the over 100,000 employees of the Department of Justice and makes vital increases to every federal law enforcement agency and the U.S. Attorneys offices.  It includes a strong increase for Violence Against Women Act grants, as well as strong increases for COPS Hiring grants and Byrne JAG formula funding for state and local law enforcement. I look forward to working with Chairman Rogers and the Attorney General on ensuring we sustain investments that our State and local law enforcement partners rely on. Congress cannot ignore the challenges our communities face back home. 

Attorney General Garland, once again, welcome, and I look forward to your testimony and working with you on ensuring we provide what the Department of Justice needs for fiscal year 2025.”

U.S. Attorney General Garland’s testimony can be found here.