Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Robert Mueller, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Dear Director Mueller:

Yesterday, on a party-line vote, the Republican-controlled Senate adopted an amendment requiring an across-the-board 2.9% spending cut in all non-military programs. Since the FBI is classified as non-military, the Bureau is going to be forced to cut $113 million from its budget.

I am baffled and befuddled that anyone would want to undermine the FBI at such a critical time for our national security. I am deeply concerned about the impact this reckless budget cutting and write to learn what impact you believe these cuts will have on your efforts to defend us against future acts of terrorism.

By the Appropriations Committee's calculations, the $113 million hit to the FBI's budget would mean the loss of 1,175 agents at a time when the FBI needs every bit of help it can get. You face tremendous management challenges as you try to turn the FBI focus from solving crimes that have already occurred to stop terrorist who are conspiring to commit future acts of terrorism. The FBI continues to operate with a 20th Century computer system as terrorists are engaging in 21st Century cyber-warfare. I simply cannot believe this indiscriminate slashing of your budget will help you reform the FBI and protect America from those who would do us harm.

I seek a prompt response to urgent questions: How will these cuts undermine your efforts to reform the FBI? Precisely how do you plan to absorb these cuts? Was the FBI consulted by the White House or Republican leadership in the Senate before these cuts were publicly proposed and adopted? If so, what did you tell those who consulted you about how these cuts would impact your anti-terrorism and anti-crime efforts?

I look forward to hearing back from you in the very near future.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator