Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, called for the FBI to move its headquarters away from Washington, D.C., to another location, recommending Alabama as an alternative.
In a letter sent to House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas), Jordan argued the FBI is one of many “abusive federal law enforcement agencies” that must be reined in.
“The Committee and Select Subcommittee have received startling testimony about egregious abuses, misallocation of federal law-enforcement resources, and misconduct within the leadership ranks of the FBI,” Jordan’s letter stated.
“We recommend that the appropriations bills eliminate any funding for the FBI that is not absolutely essential for the agency to execute its mission, including as a starting point eliminating taxpayer funding for any new FBI headquarter facility and instead examining options for relocating the FBI’s headquarters outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area,” it continued.
“We also recommend tying funding for the FBI to specific policy changes such as requiring the FBI to record interviews—that will promote accountability and transparency at the FBI.”
Jordan asserted that congressional oversight is critical to holding 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. These proposals are just a beginning. As the 118th Congress progresses, the Committee and Select Subcommittee will continue to conduct oversight to inform legislative proposals that will uphold fundamental freedoms and secure American liberties,” Jordan concluded.
According to Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), the FBI’s move to Alabama “ain’t gonna happen.”
“The issue is what serves the needs of the agency. The FBI wants to stay in the D.C. metro area, so that’s where it’s going to be,” Kaine added.
