Congresswoman Torres Condemns Republicans for Cutting $400 Million from Congressional Watchdog to Stop Investigations into the Trump Administration’s Illegal Actions
Republicans Reject Rep. Torres’ Amendment to Protect the Government Accountability Office, Instead Choosing to Fund Trump’s $400 Million Luxury Jetliner Gift from Qatar
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres condemned the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill during a full committee markup and led an amendment to prevent Republicans from cutting $400 million from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent watchdog that roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Every dollar invested in the GAO results in $123 in savings, making GAO Congress’ most effective watchdog for protecting taxpayer dollars. Since 2002, the GAO’s work has led to $1.45 trillion in savings. Congresswoman Torres’ amendment would have increased funding for this important agency by $400 million, paid for by rescinded taxpayer dollars that will be used to convert Trump’s luxury jetliner gifted from Qatar earlier this year. Republicans voted to reject this amendment.
“Republicans say they care about waste, fraud, and abuse, but support $400 million of taxpayer dollars to give President Trump a luxury jetliner. At the same time, they say “responsible spending” is why they are cutting that same amount, $400 million, from the Government Accountability Office, which is Congress’ most effective watchdog at rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. This comes as the GAO is conducting nearly 40 investigations into the Trump Administration for illegally freezing or holding Congressional funding,” said Congresswoman Torres (CA-35). “I’m disappointed, but not surprised that Republicans rejected my amendment to stop Americans from paying for a private jet for Trump while ensuring Congress’ watchdog has the resources it needs to investigate violations of the law.”
At the markup, Rep. Torres joined Democrats in successfully fighting to allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to work in the Legislative Branch through an amendment from Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-33).
The Republican FY2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill:
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Aids and abets President Trump in continuing to steal money promised to the American taxpayer by gutting and politicizing the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, slashing its budget by half (nearly $400 million) and undermines the rule of law across the federal government by restricting the GAO from bringing civil actions against any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States for failing to comply with the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
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Threatens the preservation of our nation’s history and culture by slashing resources for the Library of Congress.
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Shows House Republicans are continuing to ignore the sacrifices of the United States Capitol Police by failing to call for the immediate installation of the completed January 6 plaque honoring law enforcement.
For More Information on the bill, please click here.
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