Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, taxpayers should not foot the bill for the FBI to be consultants for Hollywood producers. However, this is the case with the FBI Investigative Publicity and Public Affairs Unit.

Although this unit does important work like publicize the Most Wanted Fugitives list, it also provides screenwriters, as well as movie and TV producers, advice on costumes, props, scenery, and weapons, as well as b-roll footage and fact-checking.

Now, I am confident that Hollywood and their hundred-million-dollar production budgets can afford to hire ex-FBI agents to consult on their projects. It just seems to make good common sense.

This unit's activities and most of its $1.5 million annual budget should be highlighted for what it really is, and that is Department of Justice waste.

If Hollywood can make millions from these movies and television shows, such as ``Without a Trace,'' ``CSI,'' and ``The Closer,'' and also movies like ``Shooter,'' featuring--and no relation I might add--Mark Wahlberg, that grossed over $80 million, as well as ``The Kingdom,'' which also grossed over $80 million, it does not need, I believe, the American taxpayer and FBI to help fund its research.

Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support my amendment that simply states that no taxpayer funds can be used by the unit except--and I make this clear--it doesn't zero out the entire budget, but funds can only be used by this unit for the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, the Most Wanted Terrorists, and missing children programs. I think it is a reasonable amendment, Mr. Chairman, and I ask for support of this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, I would concur with the need to communicate; but, again, we are talking over 600 Hollywood projects, most of which are grossing millions of dollars, $80 million, as I mentioned, for ``Shooter,'' $80 million for ``The Kingdom.''

It seems like, with that kind of grossing that is taking place, taxpayers shouldn't be on the bill to support the research that goes on. You have retired FBI agents, CIA, and others that can be brought in to do the research, as well as consult on these films.

We want accuracy, and yet we also understand that the taxpayer should only be footing the bill as necessary, and I don't think this is. Nothing against Mark Wahlberg or any others that are being used in these movies, especially with my name attached.

I still think the taxpayer deserves consideration here, and so I ask for this reasonable amendment to be supported. It allows the continued working on Most Wanted Fugitives and Most Wanted Terrorists and missing children programs. I think that is legitimate. Beyond that, I reject it. I ask for support of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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