Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
- Committees
- Appropriations Committee
- Last action
- Sep 5, 2025
Bottom line
The bill funds a broad array of federal government operations and includes significant policy directives, many of which restrict agency actions or impose new requirements, particularly concerning social and regulatory issues.
What it actually does
This bill appropriates funds for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It allocates funding to various federal agencies including the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and numerous independent agencies. Beyond funding, it includes numerous policy riders and administrative provisions that impose restrictions, establish new requirements, or prohibit certain actions by federal agencies and the District of Columbia government.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill provides essential funding to keep critical government functions operating, ensures accountability for taxpayer dollars, and includes important policy provisions that reflect congressional priorities, such as enhancing cybersecurity, combating financial crimes, and promoting fiscal responsibility. They would highlight targeted investments in areas like financial intelligence and support for small businesses.
Opponents contend
Opponents might criticize the bill for including numerous controversial policy riders unrelated to appropriations, potentially overreaching into executive branch authority, or for imposing restrictions that could hinder agency effectiveness. Concerns could also be raised about specific funding levels, the lack of transparency in the inclusion of certain provisions, or the overall impact on federal regulatory capacity.
The bill is 100 pages long and contains highly detailed appropriations language and numerous complex policy riders. The estimated reading time of 3 hours is necessary for a thorough understanding, which may be challenging given typical legislative review periods.
Title I, Departmental Offices, Salaries and Expenses
Department of the Treasury Operations Funding
This provision appropriates $239,424,000 for the Departmental Offices of the Treasury, covering operational costs, maintenance of buildings, international affairs, economic policy, domestic finance, and Treasury-wide management. It includes specific allocations for financial assistance administration, confidential emergencies, and funds remaining available until September 30, 2027, for audits, IT modernization, cybersecurity, and international operations.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this funding is crucial for the Treasury to fulfill its core functions, including economic policy, international relations, and maintaining secure financial systems, with specific carve-outs for critical areas like cybersecurity and financial statement audits.
Critics contend
Critics may argue that certain allocations are excessive or that the department's administrative costs could be further streamlined, though direct opposition to core operational funding is rare.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need for robust departmental operations with fiscal constraints, allocating funds across diverse functions within the Treasury.
Title I, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Salaries and Expenses
Combating Illicit Finance and Human Rights Abuses
This section allocates $230,533,000 to the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) to safeguard the financial system and combat national security threats. It specifically directs $3,000,000 for addressing human rights violations and corruption, $500,000 for testing AI/machine learning in sanctions enforcement, and $1,000,000 to strengthen econometrics within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
Title I, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Program Account
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
This section appropriates $276,600,000 for the CDFI Fund, with specific allocations: $170,000,000 for financial and technical assistance (prioritizing high-poverty areas and individuals with disabilities), $35,000,000 for Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native communities, $35,000,000 for the Bank Enterprise Award program, and $3,000,000 for small dollar loan programs. It also provides $33,600,000 for administrative expenses and limits bond guarantees to $500,000,000.
Title I, Internal Revenue Service, Enforcement
IRS Enforcement Activities Funding
This section appropriates $3,000,000,000 for IRS tax enforcement activities, including determining and collecting owed taxes, legal and litigation support, criminal investigations, and enforcing criminal statutes related to tax and financial crimes. It allocates $65,257,000 for the Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement program and $35,000,000 for investigative technology for the Criminal Investigation Division.
Title I, Administrative Provisions--Internal Revenue Service, Sec. 113
Restriction on Free E-Filing Service Development
This provision prohibits the use of funds to develop or provide taxpayers a free, public electronic return-filing service option without prior approval from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, House Ways and Means Committee, and Senate Finance Committee.
Title I, Administrative Provisions--Department of the Treasury, Sec. 131
Restriction on Beneficial Ownership Reporting Rules Enforcement
This provision prohibits the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) from implementing or enforcing beneficial ownership reporting rules that have been found unconstitutional by a Federal court or do not reflect Congressional intent, specifically mentioning rules for small businesses and homeowners associations. It also requires a report on the status and use of existing beneficial ownership information.
Title II, Office of Management and Budget, Salaries and Expenses
OMB Funding and Budgetary Review Limitations
This section appropriates $129,000,000 for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and includes several provisos. It prohibits OMB from reviewing agricultural marketing orders or altering testimony transcripts (except for OMB officials). It also limits OMB's budgetary policy reviews of water resource matters to 60 days and requires public availability of agency budget justification submission dates.
Title III, Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, Salaries and Expenses
Federal Judiciary Operations Funding
This section appropriates $6,069,055,000 for the salaries and expenses of judges, magistrate judges, and other employees of the Federal Judiciary. It includes funds for purchasing firearms and ammunition, and $74,000,000 for the Judiciary's multi-year cybersecurity and information technology modernization plan. Additional sums are appropriated for salaries of circuit, district, and bankruptcy judges, and for expenses related to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.
Title IV, Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs in the District of Columbia
DC Emergency Planning and Security Funding
This provision allocates $70,000,000 to the District of Columbia for emergency planning and security costs. These funds are available until expended and are designated for public safety at events related to the National Capital's presence, including support for the U.S. Secret Service, and for responding to terrorist threats or attacks in D.C. or surrounding jurisdictions.
Title IV, Federal Payment for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts
DC Defender Services Rescission
This section appropriates $46,005,000 for defender services in D.C. Courts, covering representation under the D.C. Criminal Justice Act, Family Court, adoption proceedings, and guardianship cases. It also includes a rescission of $12,000,000 from unobligated balances of prior year appropriations for these services, to occur no later than September 30, 2026.
Title V, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Salaries and Expenses
Consumer Product Safety Commission Funding
This section appropriates $142,000,000 for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), including funds for the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act program ($2,500,000) and the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2022 program ($2,000,000).
Title V, Administrative Provisions--Consumer Product Safety Commission, Sec. 502
Prohibition on Gas Stove Ban
This provision prohibits the use of funds to promulgate, implement, administer, or enforce any regulation issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban gas stoves as a class of products.
Title V, Federal Communications Commission, Salaries and Expenses
Federal Communications Commission Funding and Fee Authority
This section appropriates $390,192,000 for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with the proviso that an equal amount of offsetting collections shall be assessed and collected from fees. The appropriation from the general fund is estimated at $0, meaning the FCC is entirely funded by these fees. It also caps proceeds from competitive bidding systems at $139,000,000 and allocates not less than $12,686,000 for the Office of Inspector General.
Title V, Administrative Provisions--Federal Communications Commission, Sec. 508
Prohibition on Digital Discrimination Rule Enforcement
This provision prohibits the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce the final rule entitled "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Prevention and Elimination of Digital Discrimination," (89 Fed. Reg. 4128 (January 22, 2024)), or any substantially similar rule.
Title V, General Services Administration, Real Property Activities, Federal Buildings Fund
Federal Buildings Fund Allocations
This section sets limitations on the availability of revenue within the Federal Buildings Fund, allocating $9,197,703,000 for various real property activities. This includes $319,581,000 for repairs and alterations (with $50,000,000 for Special Emphasis Programs), $5,606,122,000 for rental of space, and $3,272,000,000 for building operations. It includes provisos for prospectus projects, emergency repairs, and reimbursable services.
Title V, Securities and Exchange Commission, Salaries and Expenses
Securities and Exchange Commission Funding and Fee Authority
This section appropriates $2,026,330,000 for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with a requirement that this amount be fully offset by fees and charges collected under section 31 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, resulting in a $0 appropriation from the general fund. It allocates not less than $20,050,000 for the Office of Inspector General and includes additional funds for office facility move/replication costs, also offset by fees.
Title V, Administrative Provisions--Securities and Exchange Commission, Sec. 531
Prohibition on Cybersecurity Risk Disclosure Rule Enforcement
This provision prohibits the use of funds to implement or enforce the final rule entitled "Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure" (88 Fed. Reg. 51896 (August 4, 2023)).
Title V, Small Business Administration, Business Loans Program Account
Small Business Loan Guarantees and Direct Loans
This section provides $3,000,000 for the cost of direct loans and sets limits on loan guarantees for fiscal year 2026: $22,500,000,000 for section 503 loans (with $10,000,000,000 reserved for small manufacturers), $42,500,000,000 for section 7(a) general business loans (with $10,000,000,000 reserved for small manufacturers), and $6,000,000,000 for section 303(b) debentures. It also allows for $15,000,000,000 in trust certificates and provides $162,000,000 for administrative expenses.
Title V, Administrative Provisions--Small Business Administration, Sec. 534
Prohibition on SBA Climate Change Initiatives
This provision prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from using any funds made available by this Act to fund climate change initiatives.
Title VI, General Provisions--This Act, Sec. 637
Prohibition on Critical Race Theory Initiatives
This provision prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to carry out any program, project, or activity that promotes or advances Critical Race Theory or any concept associated with Critical Race Theory.
Title VII, General Provisions--Government-Wide, Sec. 753
Prohibition on ESG Investments in Thrift Savings Plan
This provision prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act or any other Act to make investments under the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) in certain mutual funds that make investment decisions based primarily on environmental, social, or governance (ESG) criteria.
Title VIII, General Provisions--District of Columbia, Sec. 819
Repeal of D.C. Death With Dignity Act
This provision amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the D.C. Council from enacting any law to permit activities related to assisted suicide. It also explicitly repeals the Death With Dignity Act of 2016 (D.C. Law 21-182).
Title VIII, General Provisions--District of Columbia, Sec. 825
Prohibition on Non-Citizen Voting in D.C.
This provision prohibits the use of funds available to the District of Columbia government to implement the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-344) or any activities related to enrolling or registering noncitizens into voter rolls for local elections.
None of the funds in this Act may be used to purchase firearms or ammunition for the Internal Revenue Service above the levels in the possession of the Internal Revenue Service on December 22, 2022.
Title I, Administrative Provisions--Internal Revenue Service, Sec. 114
Why it matters:This is a politically sensitive provision, likely included to address concerns about the perceived militarization of the IRS, and placing it in administrative provisions rather than a standalone bill might reduce direct scrutiny.
Case for: Proponents argue this limits the IRS's capacity for armed enforcement, addressing concerns about potential overreach and ensuring the agency's primary role remains tax administration rather than law enforcement.
Case against: Opponents might argue this restricts the IRS Criminal Investigation Division's ability to effectively combat serious financial crimes, which often involve dangerous individuals, potentially compromising agent safety and enforcement capabilities.
Estimated impact: Limits the growth of the IRS's armed capacity, potentially impacting its criminal investigation capabilities.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Department of the Treasury to advise or participate in the design, build, or development of a United States Central Bank Digital Currency or participate in any decision to discontinue circulation or use of paper currency as legal tender in the United States.
Title I, Administrative Provisions--Department of the Treasury, Sec. 130
Why it matters:This is a highly contentious policy area. Placing the restriction here avoids a direct legislative debate on CBDC policy, instead using the appropriations process to halt executive branch action.
Case for: Proponents argue this prevents the Treasury from advancing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) without explicit congressional authorization, protecting privacy, financial freedom, and the existing monetary system from potentially destabilizing changes.
Case against: Opponents contend this provision stifles innovation and prevents the U.S. from exploring a CBDC that could enhance financial inclusion, improve payment systems, and maintain the dollar's global competitiveness, arguing it's premature to halt research and development.
Estimated impact: Effectively halts U.S. Treasury involvement in CBDC development and any move away from physical currency, maintaining the status quo in monetary policy and digital finance exploration.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to procure electric vehicles, electric vehicle batteries, electric vehicle charging stations or infrastructure: Provided, That nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the procurement of hybrid vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that utilize both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, provided such vehicles are not classified as battery electric vehicles.
Title VI, General Provisions--This Act, Sec. 636
Why it matters:This provision is highly political, reflecting a stance against certain environmental policies. Placing it in a general appropriations bill allows it to pass without a standalone debate on federal EV procurement policy.
Case for: Proponents argue this prevents federal funds from being used to advance specific environmental agendas through procurement, potentially saving costs, avoiding reliance on specific technologies, and supporting a broader range of vehicle types.
Case against: Opponents contend this provision undermines federal efforts to transition to a clean energy fleet, reduce emissions, and support the domestic electric vehicle industry, arguing it is a step backward for environmental policy and technological advancement.
Estimated impact: Significantly alters federal vehicle procurement strategy, preventing agencies from acquiring fully electric vehicles or related infrastructure, while still allowing hybrids.
None of the funds made available by this Act or in any prior Act may be used to facilitate the registration of an individual who is not a United States citizen to vote in any local, state, or Federal election.
Title VI, General Provisions--This Act, Sec. 646
Why it matters:This is a highly contentious issue, particularly in the context of local non-citizen voting rights. Including it in an appropriations bill allows it to pass without a standalone debate on voting eligibility.
Case for: Proponents argue that voting is a fundamental right and responsibility of U.S. citizenship, and federal funds should not be used to enable non-citizens to participate in any U.S. elections, upholding the integrity of the electoral system.
Case against: Opponents contend this provision interferes with local jurisdictions' ability to determine their own voting eligibility rules for local elections, and that non-citizens who pay taxes and contribute to a community should have a say in local governance.
Estimated impact: Prevents any federal agency or federally funded program from assisting non-citizens with voter registration, regardless of local or state laws that might permit non-citizen voting in certain elections.
None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act may be used to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates.
Title VII, General Provisions--Government-Wide, Sec. 757
Why it matters:This is a highly politicized issue. Including it in an appropriations bill allows it to pass without a standalone debate on federal COVID-19 policy, using the power of the purse to enforce a specific stance.
Case for: Proponents argue this provision protects individual liberties, prevents government overreach in health decisions, and reflects a belief that such mandates are ineffective or harmful, allowing federal employees and the public to make personal health choices.
Case against: Opponents contend this provision undermines public health efforts, potentially increasing the risk of disease transmission in federal workplaces and facilities, and limits the ability of agencies to implement necessary health and safety protocols.
Estimated impact: Prevents any federal agency from imposing or enforcing COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates, effectively ending such policies across the federal government.
None of the funds made available for obligation or expenditure by the District of Columbia under any authority may be used to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandate.
Title VIII, General Provisions--District of Columbia, Sec. 829
Why it matters:Similar to the federal-wide provision, this is a highly politicized issue. Including it in D.C.'s appropriations allows it to pass without a standalone debate on D.C.'s local COVID-19 policy, using federal power to override local decisions.
Case for: Proponents argue this provision protects individual liberties for D.C. residents, prevents local government overreach in health decisions, and aligns D.C. policy with a broader federal stance against mandates.
Case against: Opponents contend this provision is an egregious federal overreach into D.C.'s home rule, preventing the local government from implementing public health measures it deems necessary for its residents.
Estimated impact: Prevents the District of Columbia government from imposing or enforcing COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates, effectively ending such policies locally.