The House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal 2027 spending bill for the Legislative Branch on Wednesday with sharp cuts to the Government Accountability Office and increased funding for Capitol Police. The committee voted 34-28 along party lines after an extended, contentious markup session.
The bill slashes the GAO budget by nearly one-quarter, a dramatic reduction that Democrats opposed during the debate. Republicans control the committee and pushed the measure through despite Democratic objections to the GAO cuts. The GAO serves as Congress's independent watchdog agency, investigating federal programs and auditing spending across government agencies.
The appropriations package also boosts funding for the Capitol Police, continuing Republican priorities for enhanced security operations on Capitol Hill following the January 6, 2021 attack. The police budget increase reflects ongoing Republican and Democratic concern about protecting the Capitol complex, though the two parties often disagree on broader security spending allocations.
The late-night markup reflected deeper partisan tensions over government spending and oversight. Democrats viewed the GAO reductions as undermining congressional accountability mechanisms and independent audit functions. Republicans, who control the House, typically seek to limit oversight bodies they view as inefficient or overly bureaucratic.
The committee's passage sends the bill to the full House floor, where it faces an uncertain path. Appropriations bills require passage before the fiscal year begins, and disagreements over specific agency funding levels frequently stall legislation in both chambers. Senate action remains pending, and the Democratic-controlled chamber may oppose significant cuts to the GAO.
The GAO cuts represent one of the most tangible differences between Republican and Democratic spending priorities heading into fiscal 2027. The office employs auditors and investigators who examine how federal agencies spend taxpayer money and whether programs achieve their intended goals. Reducing its budget constrains the GAO's ability to conduct audits and investigations, limiting transparency into government operations.
The bill's advancement comes as Congress