Senate Banking Democrats Probe Trump Administration on National Security Impact of Withholding Funding to Keep American Technology Safe from Foreign Adversaries
“BIS already operates on a tight budget, and this funding freeze will undoubtedly impact the essential activities that BIS undertakes to keep our technology safe from foreign adversaries around the globe.”
“Through its illegal and reckless decision, OMB is in essence announcing to our adversaries that it is open season on U.S. technology.”
Washington, DC – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, was joined by Senate Banking colleagues Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director, Russ Vought, demanding answers on how the Trump Administration plans to protect our national security in the wake of its illegal decision to withhold $20 million in emergency funding appropriated by Congress to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which represents 10.5 percent of BIS’s budget. This decision, outlined in a memorandum dated March 24, 2025, poses serious national security threats.
Under the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill, Congress included billions of dollars in emergency funding for key priorities. The law is very clear: Neither the President nor the OMB Director has discretion under the law to selectively withhold emergency funding for some purposes, but not others. But that is exactly what the Administration is doing.
In their letter, the Senators expressed deep concern over how this illegal funding cut will impact BIS’s ability to conduct essential activities that keep sensitive, dual-use technologies out of the hands of foreign adversaries.
“This decision will impair essential enforcement activities, embolden our adversaries, and endanger American lives. We demand answers on how the Trump Administration plans to protect our national security in the wake of this misguided and illegal choice,” wrote the Senators.
The lawmakers also demanded answers regarding the legal rationale for withholding funds, an assessment of potential impacts, and plans to ensure BIS’s operations remain unaffected. The Senators emphasize that the arbitrary cuts could embolden adversaries and endanger American lives.
“This decision, if not reversed, will wreak havoc at one of our most important national security agencies,” they wrote.
Senate Banking Democrats are committed to holding the Trump Administration accountable to protect the economic and national security of the United States. They requested Director Vought respond to their questions by March 27, 2025.
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