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JEFFERSON CITY — Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s request for an additional $2 million to hire more lawyers faced pushback Wednesday from some lawmakers.

In testimony to House budget writers Wednesday, Bailey outlined a request to add 28 employees to his office payroll to defend the Missouri Constitution, boost criminal convictions and enforce consumer protection laws, budget documents note.

His call for more money came just days after he touted a longshot lawsuit he is pursuing against China regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which he says he’s “confident� the state will win $25 billion in damages.

“The more individuals we have the more we can spread out that caseload,� Bailey told members of the House Budget Committee who are reviewing spending requests for state agencies.

Bailey, a Republican, was appointed to the office in 2022 by former Gov. Mike Parson to replace Republican Eric Schmitt, who was elected to the U.S. Senate. He was elected to a full, four-year term in November.

Records show the office had about 260 full-time employees when he took over. The current budget allows him to have more than 400 employees.

He said an analysis of staffing needs has been underway for two years and that his request was for a “nominal increase.�

“We noticed very quickly that staffing levels were a pinch point,� Bailey said.

He said raises given to state employees over the past four years have helped address high vacancy rates in the office.

“We have largely shored up that,� Bailey said. “Our ability to recruit has improved.�

Lawmakers, however, questioned whether the additional money is needed.

Rep. John Voss, R-Cape Girardeau, asked why Bailey didn’t spend about $2 million that was budgeted for the office last year to hire attorneys.

“I think they are funded. Why do you say they are not funded?� Voss said. “I think you have the money.�

Rep. Stephanie Hein, D-Springfield, also questioned whether there already is enough money in the budget to hire more attorneys.

“I think there are some resources here, we just need to reallocate effectively,� Hein said.

Bailey has been criticized for some of the litigation he launched amid an expensive 2024 primary election against attorney Will Scharf, who now serves as an assistant to President Donald Trump.

Bailey, for example, sued the Biden administration over U.S. border policy. He attempted to ban gender-related medical care for transgender children and adults. And he moved forward with the Schmitt-era lawsuit against China.

Bailey also attempted to overrule the state auditor during a fight over ballot language for an abortion question, but a judge called his assertion “preposterous.�

On Tuesday, Bailey sued the Starbuck’s coffee chain over hiring policies, arguing the company has violated federal and state laws prohibiting race discrimination by attempting to hire more women and non-white employees.

That lawsuit raised eyebrows among Democrats on the budget panel.

“I’m curious if white-served coffee tastes better,� said Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson.

At the same time, his office has said high employee turnover rates and an increase in public records requests have contributed to a major backlog of Sunshine Law requests going unanswered in a timely fashion.

According to the budget request, Bailey wants:

• More than $1 million for additional staffing to defend the state constitution, statutes and state agencies.
• $752,200 for additional staffing to defend convictions and prosecute criminal matters.
• $540,400 to add lawyers who enforce consumer protection laws.
• $425,600 for additional staffing to aid the solicitor general in defending the state in constitutional challenges.
• $86,400 to help the state treasurer administer worker compensation cases.
• $71,400 to ramp up prosecutions of Medicaid fraud.

While Bailey’s fellow Republicans control the House and Senate, that doesn’t mean his request is on a glide path.

In 2022, Schmitt was rebuffed when he sought $500,000 to hire more attorneys after tangling with local school districts over COVID-19 restrictions.