Quick Hit:

Conservative lawmakers are expressing strong opposition to a bipartisan government funding deal that includes $200 million for the construction of a new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters. The funding is part of a larger $1.2 trillion government package aimed at preventing a government shutdown.

Key Details:

The $200 million funding for a new FBI headquarters is part of a $1.2 trillion government funding package.
Conservative lawmakers have accused the FBI of being weaponized against the right, citing issues ranging from abortion rights to pandemic-era efforts.
The relocation of the FBI's headquarters has been a contentious issue, with former President Trump previously attempting to block its relocation to the suburbs.

Diving Deeper:

The funding for the new FBI headquarters has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives, who have been targeting the agency's funding over the past year. They accuse the FBI of being used as a tool against conservative Americans, with issues ranging from abortion rights to pandemic-era efforts that they claim targeted anti-abortion individuals or parents. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) expressed his disapproval on social media, criticizing the inclusion of the FBI funding in the government package.

Conservatives argue that the FBI targeted parents when it coordinated with local school board members who had received violent threats over COVID policies at schools. They also claim that the FBI is biased against individuals who oppose abortion rights, following threats in the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

The relocation of the FBI's headquarters has been a controversial issue from the start. Former President Trump tried to block its relocation to the suburbs, preferring the existing downtown location near his then-hotel. However, GOP interest in the headquarters shifted after Trump left office and the bureau played a key role in searching his Florida home for classified documents.

The funding for the new FBI headquarters is part of the full-year funding for the General Services Administration (GSA), which constructs and manages federal buildings. The bill is expected to be voted on as early as Friday.