Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
- Committees
- Appropriations Committee
- Last action
- Jul 17, 2025
Bottom line
This omnibus appropriations bill funds a broad array of federal government functions across commerce, justice, and science for FY2026, while also incorporating specific policy directives and limitations on federal spending and activities.
What it actually does
This bill provides appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026 for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science agencies (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation), and several related agencies. It allocates specific funding levels for various programs, operations, research, and construction projects within these departments, including provisions for trade enforcement, economic development, law enforcement assistance, and scientific research. The bill also includes general provisions governing the use of these funds, transfer authorities, and several policy riders.
Proponents argue
Proponents would argue that this bill responsibly funds critical government functions, supports national security, promotes economic growth through trade and innovation, advances scientific research, and ensures public safety. They would highlight specific investments in law enforcement, victim services, and scientific endeavors as essential for the nation's well-being and global competitiveness, emphasizing the necessity of these appropriations for government continuity.
Opponents contend
Opponents might contend that the bill contains excessive spending, contributes to the national debt, or includes provisions that are not fiscally responsible. They might also criticize specific policy riders as inappropriate for an appropriations bill, or argue that certain allocations do not align with national priorities or represent wasteful spending, particularly given current economic conditions.
The bill is lengthy and highly detailed, requiring significant time for a thorough review, which may exceed the typical time available for public and legislative scrutiny given its omnibus nature.
Title I, International Trade Administration
Funding for International Trade Activities and China Enforcement
This provision appropriates $605,000,000 for the International Trade Administration, with $102,000,000 remaining available until September 30, 2027. It specifies that $12,000,000 is to be derived from fees and not less than $16,400,000 is designated for China antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement and compliance activities.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this funding is crucial for promoting American exports, attracting foreign investment, and protecting U.S. industries from unfair trade practices, particularly those originating from China, thereby safeguarding American jobs and economic security.
Critics contend
Critics may argue that some trade promotion activities could be more efficiently handled by the private sector or that the specific allocation for China enforcement might be insufficient or misdirected without broader trade policy reforms.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need for trade promotion and investment attraction with the imperative to enforce trade laws and protect domestic industries, particularly against specific geopolitical competitors.
Title I, Bureau of Industry and Security
Export Administration and National Security Activities
This section allocates $211,000,000 for the Bureau of Industry and Security, with $76,000,000 available until expended. These funds support export administration and national security activities, including field operations, medical coverage for overseas employees, and awards for informers under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018.
Title I, Economic Development Administration
Economic Development Assistance Programs
The bill provides $360,000,000 for economic development assistance programs under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. These funds remain available until expended and are intended for purposes specified in the accompanying report, including prize competitions.
Title I, Bureau of the Census
Funding for Periodic Censuses and Programs
This section allocates $1,191,849,000 for periodic censuses and programs, with funds remaining available until September 30, 2027. This includes expenses for collecting, compiling, analyzing, preparing, and publishing statistics, and allows for promotion, outreach, and marketing activities.
Title I, United States Patent and Trademark Office
Patent and Trademark Operations (Fee-Funded)
The bill provides $4,996,100,000 for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to remain available until expended. This appropriation is entirely offset by fees and surcharges collected by the USPTO, aiming for a $0 appropriation from the general fund. Excess fees are deposited into a reserve fund, and a spending plan for these funds requires Congressional notification.
Title I, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Scientific and Technical Research and Services
This section appropriates $1,006,628,000 for NIST's scientific and technical research and services, available until expended. This includes $149,469,000 specifically for Congressionally Directed Spending projects, which cannot be transferred for other purposes. It also allows for local transportation for summer research fellows.
Title I, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Operations, Research, and Facilities
The bill provides $4,477,642,000 for NOAA's operations, research, and facilities, available until September 30, 2027. This includes funding for aircraft and vessels, fisheries management, grants, and $54,642,000 for Congressionally Directed Spending projects which are non-transferable. An additional $399,644,000 is transferred from the 'Promote and Develop Fishery Products and Research Pertaining to American Fisheries' fund.
Title I, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery
This provision allocates $65,000,000, available until September 30, 2027, for the restoration of Pacific salmon populations. Funds can be issued as grants to the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska, and to federally recognized Tribes, for projects related to salmon and steelhead conservation, maintaining tribal fishing rights, or habitat conservation. Funds are allocated based on scientific merit and require a 33% state/in-kind match.
Title II, Executive Office for Immigration Review
Immigration-Related Activities and Courtroom Space
This section provides $804,000,000 for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, including $10,000,000 transferred from immigration examination fees. Not less than $29,000,000 is for the Legal Orientation Program, and up to $50,000,000 is available until September 30, 2030, for building out and modifying courtroom space.
Title II, Salaries and Expenses, United States Attorneys
Funding for U.S. Attorneys and Human Trafficking Task Forces
This provision appropriates $2,611,000,000 for the Offices of the United States Attorneys, with $40,000,000 remaining available until expended. It mandates that each United States Attorney establish or participate in a task force on human trafficking.
Title II, Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Salaries and Expenses
This section allocates $10,643,713,000 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the detection, investigation, and prosecution of crimes against the United States. Of this amount, $216,900,000 remains available until expended.
Title II, Drug Enforcement Administration
DEA Funding and Clandestine Lab Cleanup
The bill provides $2,567,000,000 for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with $75,000,000 available until expended. It includes up to $10,000,000 to reimburse state and local governments for cleaning up clandestine methamphetamine and fentanyl laboratories. A proviso explicitly prohibits funds from being used to restart the illicit crop imagery program.
Title II, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
ATF Funding and Firearms Disability Relief Restriction
This section appropriates $1,625,000,000 for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It includes a proviso that none of the funds can be used to investigate or act upon applications for relief from Federal firearms disabilities under section 925(c) of title 18, United States Code, for individuals, but allows it for corporations.
Title II, Federal Prison System
Federal Prison System Operations and First Step Act Funding
The bill allocates $8,392,588,000 for the Federal Prison System's administration, operation, and maintenance. Not less than $409,483,000 is specifically for programs and activities authorized by the First Step Act of 2018, with 2% of that amount transferred to the National Institute of Justice for evaluations. A proviso prohibits transferring these First Step Act funds to the Department of Labor.
Title II, Office on Violence Against Women
Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs
This section provides $720,000,000, available until expended, for grants, contracts, and other assistance to prevent and prosecute violence against women. This includes $80,000,000 transferred from the Crime Victims Fund and numerous specific allocations for programs such as grants to combat violence against women ($255M), transitional housing ($51M), sexual assault victims assistance ($79.5M), rural domestic violence ($51M), legal assistance ($56M), and programs for Tribal Governments ($12M).
Title II, Office of Justice Programs
State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance
This section appropriates $1,878,146,000, available until expended, for state and local law enforcement assistance. It includes $569,146,000 for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, with specific carve-outs like $152,146,000 for Congressionally Directed Spending. Other allocations include $88,000,000 for victim services for trafficking, $148,000,000 for DNA-related and forensic programs, $418,000,000 for comprehensive opioid use reduction activities, and $114,000,000 for initiatives to improve police-community relations.
Title II, Community Oriented Policing Services
COPS Programs and Law Enforcement Technologies
This section provides $500,167,000, available until expended, for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs. This includes $206,000,000 for hiring and rehiring law enforcement officers (with $34M for Tribal law enforcement and $10M for mental health programs), and $133,167,000 for a law enforcement technologies and interoperable communications program, which includes Congressionally Directed Spending projects that are exempt from certain grant conditions.
Title III, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA Science Mission Directorate Funding
This provision appropriates $7,300,000,000 for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, to remain available until September 30, 2027. These funds support a wide range of science research and development activities, including space flight, spacecraft control, and communications activities, as specified in the accompanying report.
Title III, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA Exploration Mission Directorate Funding
This section provides $7,783,000,000 for NASA's Exploration Mission Directorate, available until September 30, 2027. These funds support research and development activities related to human spaceflight and exploration, including space flight, spacecraft control, and communications activities, as detailed in the accompanying report.
Title III, National Science Foundation
NSF Research and Related Activities
This provision appropriates $7,176,500,000 for the National Science Foundation's (NSF) research and related activities, available until September 30, 2027. This includes not to exceed $700,000,000 for polar research and operations support, with at least $109,310,000 specifically for U.S. Antarctic Logistical Support.
Title IV, Legal Services Corporation
Legal Services Corporation Funding and Governance Changes
This section provides $566,000,000 for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), with specific allocations for basic field programs ($522.1M), Inspector General ($5.7M), management and grants oversight ($26.2M), client self-help and IT ($5M), Pro Bono Innovation Fund ($5M), and loan repayment assistance ($2M). It also includes amendments to the LSC Act, changing the required percentage of attorneys on governing bodies from 60% to 33%.
Title V, Sec. 521
Rescissions of Prior Year Unobligated Balances
This section permanently rescinds a total of $170,000,000 in unobligated balances from prior year appropriations across several Department of Commerce and Department of Justice accounts. This includes $30,000,000 from EDA, $15,000,000 from Census Working Capital Fund, $15,000,000 from OVW, $125,000,000 from OJP, $20,000,000 from COPS, and $100,000,000 from the DOJ Working Capital Fund. These rescissions are not from emergency or disaster relief funds or specific Congressionally Directed Spending.
Title V, Sec. 541
CHIPS Act Fund Allocations and Reporting
This section mandates the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation to allocate funds from the CHIPS for America Fund and the CHIPS for America Workforce and Education Fund for fiscal year 2026 within 45 days of enactment, according to tables in the accompanying report. It prohibits allocations during continuing resolutions, except for continuing administration, and requires quarterly reports on fund balances.
Exempts specific Congressionally Directed Spending (earmarks) within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) from the general Department of Justice transfer authority.
Title II, Sec. 205, Proviso
Why it matters:While general transfer authorities are standard, specific exemptions for earmarks are often placed to ensure that these targeted projects are funded as intended by Congress and cannot be reprogrammed by the Executive Branch. This is a tactical maneuver to protect specific legislative priorities.
Case for: Supporters argue that this exemption ensures Congressional intent for specific, often locally-driven, projects is honored and that funds are not diverted to other agency priorities, thereby providing accountability for earmarks.
Case against: Critics might argue that such exemptions reduce agency flexibility to manage funds efficiently and adapt to changing circumstances, potentially leading to less optimal resource allocation if the exempted projects become less critical.
Estimated impact: Protects $152,146,000 in OJP-Byrne CDS and $133,167,000 in COPS Tech CDS from reprogramming.
Prohibits the use of funds for the salary, benefits, or expenses of any United States Attorney assigned dual or additional responsibilities that exempt them from the residency requirements of section 545 of title 28, United States Code.
Title II, Sec. 211
Why it matters:This is a specific policy directive related to the appointment and qualifications of U.S. Attorneys. It's a policy rider that might not pass as standalone legislation due to its specific nature and potential to be seen as interfering with executive appointment authority.
Case for: Proponents argue that U.S. Attorneys should reside in the district they serve to ensure local accountability and understanding of community needs, and this provision prevents circumvention of that principle.
Case against: Critics might argue that this provision unduly restricts the Attorney General's flexibility in assigning responsibilities to U.S. Attorneys, potentially limiting the ability to leverage specialized expertise across districts or fill vacancies efficiently.
Estimated impact: Potentially impacts the appointment and operational flexibility of a small number of U.S. Attorneys, ensuring adherence to residency requirements.
Adds 'terminates a Federal award or contract for no longer effectuating the program goals or agency priorities' as a condition requiring 30-day advance notification to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for reprogramming of funds.
Title V, Sec. 505(a)(9)
Why it matters:This is a subtle but significant expansion of Congressional oversight into agency decision-making regarding the termination of grants and contracts. It's a policy rider designed to increase transparency and accountability for executive branch actions that might otherwise occur without direct Congressional input.
Case for: Supporters argue this enhances Congressional oversight, ensuring that agencies are transparent about why they terminate awards or contracts, especially if such terminations might be politically motivated or deviate from original legislative intent.
Case against: Critics might argue that this adds an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle to agency management, potentially slowing down decision-making and reducing efficiency in managing federal awards and contracts.
Estimated impact: Increases Congressional oversight over potentially thousands of federal awards and contracts, requiring justification for terminations based on program goals or agency priorities.
Mandates that the Department of Commerce, NASA, and NSF continue to apply the negotiated indirect cost rates for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) as they were applied in fiscal year 2024. It prohibits the use of funds to develop, modify, or implement changes to these FY2024 rates.
Title V, Sec. 542
Why it matters:This is a policy rider that effectively freezes a specific administrative policy for federal grants. It's likely included to provide stability or address concerns from IHEs about potential changes to these rates, which can significantly impact their research funding. It might be controversial if proposed as standalone legislation.
Case for: Proponents (likely IHEs and their advocates) argue that freezing indirect cost rates provides stability and predictability for research institutions, allowing them to plan budgets more effectively and ensuring consistent support for federally funded research.
Case against: Critics (potentially some federal agencies or fiscal conservatives) might argue that freezing rates prevents necessary adjustments for efficiency or changing economic conditions, potentially leading to overpayment or underpayment of actual indirect costs, or limiting agency flexibility in managing grant funds.
Estimated impact: Affects billions of dollars in federal research grants to IHEs across Commerce, NASA, and NSF, ensuring that the administrative overhead reimbursement remains consistent with FY2024 levels.