House Republicans want to include an array of conservative policy riders in the bill that funds the Justice Department, with provisions on red-meat topics like guns, abortion, policy and diversity efforts. The GOP version of the Justice Department's spending plan for the year starting in October would handcuff DOJ from suing states over laws that limit abortion, curtail the department’s ability to challenge redistricting plans in court, and block it from bringing lawsuits against local or state governments over laws that limit “transgender medical procedures.” Many of the proposals face an uphill battle to become law, with Democrats controlling the Senate and the White House, reports Roll Call.
One measure would prohibit funds from being used to enforce a Biden administration rule that toughens regulations on firearms with stabilizing braces. Another would block funds to carry out “any regulation” issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives during the Biden administration. A third would ban funds from being used to implement any “red-flag” laws, which allow a court to temporarily forbid an individual from having a gun if they are believed to present a risk to themselves or others. Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY), who leads the House Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee, said the “politically motivated and weaponized” Justice Department would be restrained and “will no longer follow the political whims of the Biden administration.” He added that the FBI "will be refocused on its core competencies, and numerous ill-advised rulemakings by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that challenge constitutional rights will be [stopped] in their tracks.” Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) complained that the bill “significantly reduces support for law enforcement in this country.” He said the legislation adds “several policy riders” that would make it “easier for firearms to end up in the wrong hands.”