S. 2354 · 119th Congress · Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 122.
2026 Funding Bill for Commerce, Justice, and Science Agencies
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
Deep dive October 28, 2026
This bill sets 2026 funding levels. It covers the Commerce and Justice Departments. It also covers NASA and other science agencies. The bill sets spending limits and reporting rules. It adds policy rules on many topics. These include weather satellites, prison rules, and gun exports. The bill also limits how agencies can use the money. It adds new oversight steps for Congress.
What to know
- The bill funds the Commerce and Justice Departments through September 30, 2026.
- It also funds NASA and other science agencies through that date.
- It sets firm cost limits for two weather satellite programs. One limit is $11.3 billion. The other is $11.7 billion.
- It blocks Justice Department funds from paying for abortions. There are exceptions for rape, incest, or danger to the mother's life.
- It protects state medical marijuana programs from federal interference. It also protects industrial hemp research.
- It tells the Attorney General to save Jeffrey Epstein case records. A report to Congress is due within 60 days.
- It limits NASA's work with China. It also adds cybersecurity checks before buying risky computer systems.
- It takes back over $300 million in unused funds from past programs. It also freezes university research overhead rates at 2024 levels for three agencies.
Heads up
9 buried provisions
Provisions we flagged do not match the bill's stated purpose, or repeat language from bills that did not pass on their own.
Charge foreign agencies for spectrum services and keep the fees (National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Salaries and Expenses)
Why we flagged this
This line lets the Commerce Department bill other agencies for spectrum work. It also lets Commerce keep and spend those fees. This sets up a self-funding stream outside normal yearly review. It is a small clause with a big budget effect.
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That, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 1535(d), the Secretary of Commerce shall charge Federal agencies for costs incurred in spectrum management, analysis, operations, and related services, and such fees shall be retained and used as offsetting collections for costs of such spectrum services, to remain available until expended
NOAA may use facilities and personnel of foreign governments (Section 107)
Why we flagged this
This lets NOAA use the land, staff, and facilities of foreign governments and international groups. It is broad and uses vague wording. The tradeoff is more flexibility but less clear U.S. control over who carries out federal work.
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The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is authorized to use, with their consent, with reimbursement and subject to the limits of available appropriations, the land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or of any State, local government, Indian Tribal government, Territory, or possession, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government or international organization, for purposes related to carrying out the responsibilities of any statute administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Advance payments on a vague public interest finding (Section 101)
Why we flagged this
This lets Commerce make advance payments not otherwise allowed. The only test is a official's certificate that the payment is in the public interest. The phrase public interest is vague and attached to spending money.
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notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3324, may be used for advanced payments not otherwise authorized only upon the certification of officials designated by the Secretary of Commerce that such payments are in the public interest.
Parole Commissioner may stay past the end of the term (United States Parole Commission, Salaries and Expenses)
Why we flagged this
This lets a Parole Commissioner keep acting after the term ends until a successor is named. Letting an official hold power past the appointed term raises questions under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. Courts decide such conflicts.
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That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the expiration of a term of office of a Commissioner, the Commissioner may continue to act until a successor has been appointed.
No funds to prosecute religious institutions over beliefs (Section 221)
Why we flagged this
This bars using funds to investigate or prosecute religious groups based on their beliefs. It touches the line between free exercise and equal enforcement of the law. It raises questions under the First Amendment religion clauses. Courts decide how it applies.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to investigate or prosecute religious institutions on the basis of their religious beliefs.
No funds to target parents who protest at school board meetings (Section 220)
Why we flagged this
This stops funds from being used to target parents who peacefully protest at school boards. It is tied to speech and assembly rights. It raises questions under the First Amendment. The limit applies to peaceful protest not suspected crimes.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Department of Justice to target or investigate parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and are not suspected of engaging in unlawful activity.
License-free firearm parts exports to Canada (Section 534)
Why we flagged this
This bars spending to require an export license for certain firearm parts sent to Canada. It is a detailed policy change placed inside a spending bill. It is easy to miss but changes how export controls work. It affects export rules for gun parts.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of law or treaty, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act or any other Act may be expended or obligated by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States to pay administrative expenses or to compensate an officer or employee of the United States in connection with requiring an export license for the export to Canada of components, parts, accessories or attachments for firearms listed in Category I, section 121.1 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations
Legal Services Corporation board attorney share cut to one third (Administrative Provisions, Legal Services Corporation)
Why we flagged this
This changes a standing law through an appropriations bill. It lowers the required share of lawyers on grantee boards from 60 percent to 33 percent. This permanent rule change is buried in a related agency section. It affects how legal aid groups are governed.
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For purposes of this Act, section 1007(c) of the Legal Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996f(c)) shall be applied by substituting “33 percent” for “60 percent”.
Intelligence funds deemed authorized without a separate law (Section 519)
Why we flagged this
This treats intelligence funds as authorized by Congress even before the yearly intelligence law passes. It is a short clause with a large effect on oversight. It lets spending proceed without the usual separate authorization.
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Funds appropriated by this Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence or intelligence related activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the Congress for purposes of section 504 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094) during fiscal year 2026 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.
Section by section
Opening spending statement
This section is the introduction to the bill. It states that money will be set aside from the U.S. Treasury. This money will fund the Departments of Commerce and Justice. It also funds science agencies and related offices. The funding covers the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The rest of the bill lists exact dollar amounts for each agency and program.
It affects the Departments of Commerce and Justice, science agencies, and related federal offices. It also affects anyone who relies on programs run by these agencies.
This section sets up funding but does not detail how much money goes where, so later sections carry the real spending choices and limits.
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That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes, namely:
Commerce Department payment rules
This section lets the Department of Commerce use this year's funds for certain activities allowed under a 1949 law. That law covers some of Commerce's basic operating powers. The section also lets Commerce make advance payments before work is done. Normally, federal law limits advance payments. But officials picked by the Secretary of Commerce can approve them if they say it serves the public interest.
This affects Department of Commerce operations and any contractors or vendors who receive advance payments from the agency.
Advance payments can speed up Commerce Department work, but they also mean money goes out before the work is finished, which carries more financial risk.
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may be used for advanced payments not otherwise authorized only upon the certification of officials designated by the Secretary of Commerce that such payments are in the public interest.
Department of Commerce spending rules for cars, services, and uniforms
This section lets the Department of Commerce use its yearly budget for certain basic costs. It can pay to rent or lease passenger cars. It can pay for outside expert services. It can also pay for employee uniforms or uniform allowances. These uses must follow existing laws that already allow this kind of spending. The section does not add new money. It just confirms how this year's budget can be used.
Department of Commerce staff and offices that need vehicles, outside services, or uniforms to do their jobs.
This gives the department flexibility to cover practical costs, but it means some funds go to operations like vehicles and uniforms instead of other programs.
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appropriations made available to the Department of Commerce by this Act for salaries and expenses shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1343 and 1344; services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 ; and uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by law ( 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902 ).
Moving money between Commerce Department accounts
This section lets the Department of Commerce move money between its different funding accounts. It can shift up to 3 percent of any account's budget to another account. No account can grow by more than 6 percent from these shifts. Before making a transfer, the Department must follow the rules in section 505 of this Act. The Department also must tell Congress at least 30 days before it buys or sells big items like land, buildings, or equipment, if those purchases were not already approved in this law.
This affects the Department of Commerce and the congressional committees that oversee its budget. It also affects programs that could gain or lose funding through these transfers.
This gives the Department flexibility to fix funding gaps quickly, but it limits how much money can shift and requires Congress to stay informed, which can slow down decisions.
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Not to exceed 3 percent of any appropriation made available for the current fiscal year for the Department of Commerce in this Act may be transferred between such appropriations, but no such appropriation shall be increased by more than 6 percent by any such transfers
Weather satellite program cost limits
This section sets official cost limits for four government weather satellite programs. It reuses reporting rules from a 2012 law. It also lists the total planned spending for each program over its full life. The Joint Polar Satellite System has a limit of $11.3 billion. The Polar Follow On Program has a limit of $6.8 billion. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series Program has a limit of $11.7 billion. The Space Weather Follow On Program has a limit of $692.8 million. These numbers help Congress track whether the programs stay on budget.
This affects NOAA, its satellite contractors, and taxpayers who fund these weather forecasting programs.
Setting firm cost limits helps control spending, but it may create pressure if satellite technology needs cost more than planned.
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the life cycle cost for the Joint Polar Satellite System is $11,322,125,000, the life cycle cost of the Polar Follow On Program is $6,837,900,000, the life cycle cost for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series Program is $11,700,100,000, and the life cycle cost for the Space Weather Follow On Program is $692,800,000.
Paying for building services at the Commerce Department
This section lets the Secretary of Commerce provide basic services to outside groups using space in the Herbert C. Hoover Building or other federal buildings. These services include utilities, phone and internet lines, and security. The Secretary runs these buildings under a deal with the General Services Administration. Outside groups can use some of the space under a 1976 law. The Secretary can charge these groups for services, or provide them for free. If groups pay back the Commerce Department, up to $200,000 of that money goes back into the fund that paid for the service in the first place.
This affects the Commerce Department, the General Services Administration, and outside organizations that rent or use space in these federal buildings.
This setup makes it easier to manage shared federal office buildings, but it lets the Secretary decide whether outside users must pay their fair share of costs.
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the Secretary of Commerce may furnish services (including but not limited to utilities, telecommunications, and security services) necessary to support the operation, maintenance, and improvement of space that persons, firms, or organizations are authorized, pursuant to the Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 or other authority, to use or occupy in the Herbert C. Hoover Building, Washington, DC
Grant rules do not block network policing
This section says grant money does not stop a recipient from acting against illegal activity on its networks. Recipients can still try to stop child pornography, copyright theft, or other unlawful acts. The grant rules in this title do not force them to allow these things. It simply clarifies that getting the grant does not remove this power.
It affects organizations that get grants under this title, such as internet or network providers. It also affects their users, whose online activity could be monitored or restricted.
Recipients keep the power to police illegal activity on their networks, but this could also lead to more monitoring or restriction of user activity.
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Nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent a grant recipient from deterring child pornography, copyright infringement, or any other unlawful activity over its networks.
NOAA can borrow resources from other agencies
This section lets NOAA use land, equipment, staff, and facilities from other groups. These groups include federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal governments, territories, and foreign governments. NOAA must get their consent first. NOAA must also pay them back for the help. This only works if NOAA has the money available. The goal is to help NOAA carry out its official duties.
This affects NOAA and any government or organization that agrees to share resources with it. It also affects taxpayers, since NOAA must pay for the borrowed help.
NOAA gains flexibility to get extra help and resources, but this depends on other groups agreeing and on NOAA having enough funds to pay them back.
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The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is authorized to use, with their consent, with reimbursement and subject to the limits of available appropriations, the land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or of any State, local government, Indian Tribal government, Territory, or possession, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government or international organization, for purposes related to carrying out the responsibilities of any statute administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Free access to government reports
This section deals with the National Technical Information Service. This agency sells copies of government reports. The rule says the agency cannot charge for a report if a free online version exists. First, it must tell the customer how to get the free online copy. If the customer still wants a printed or digital copy from the agency, the agency can only charge enough to cover its cost. That cost covers processing, copying, and delivering the report. It cannot charge more than that.
This affects people and businesses who request copies of reports from the National Technical Information Service. It also affects the agency itself, which must change how it informs customers and sets prices.
Customers save money and get free access to public reports, but the agency may collect less fee revenue to cover its operations.
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The National Technical Information Service shall not charge any customer for a copy of any report or document generated by the Legislative Branch unless the Service has provided information to the customer on how an electronic copy of such report or document may be accessed and downloaded for free online.
NOAA can team up with other governments
This section lets the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) work closely with other governments. NOAA can sign grants and agreements with federal agencies, states, local governments, Tribes, and territories. It can also use their land, staff, equipment, or facilities for free. NOAA can accept money from these partners too. If the money is for permits or related regulatory work, it goes into a specific NOAA fund. That money stays available until September 30, 2027.
This affects NOAA and the state, local, Tribal, and federal partners it works with on ocean and weather programs.
This setup lets NOAA share resources and costs with partners, but it also means some funding comes from outside sources instead of direct congressional appropriations.
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the Administrator of NOAA is authorized to: (1) enter into grants and cooperative agreements with; (2) use on a non-reimbursable basis land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities provided by; and (3) receive and expend funds made available on a consensual basis from: a Federal agency, State or subdivision thereof, local government, Tribal government, Territory, or possession or any subdivisions thereof
Sharing funds for statistics research partnerships
This section lets the Economics and Statistics Administration use its money for team-up agreements. This agency includes the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau. They can work with states, local governments, or colleges. The goal is to support statistics, research, and new study methods. This covers money from this bill or from earlier years that is still unspent.
It affects federal statistics agencies, state and local governments, and colleges that study population and economic data.
It gives agencies more flexibility to partner with outside groups, but that means some federal money goes to non-federal organizations instead of staying inside the agency.
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shall be available for expenses of cooperative agreements with appropriate entities, including any Federal, State, or local governmental unit, or institution of higher education, to aid and promote statistical, research, and methodology activities which further the purposes for which such amounts have been made available.
Waiving coastal grant matching funds
This section lets the Secretary of Commerce cut in half the matching money required for certain coastal grants. Normally, groups that get coastal zone management grants must pay part of the cost themselves. This is called cost sharing. Under this section, the Secretary can waive up to 50 percent of that requirement. This only applies if the grant applicant asks for it. It also only applies to money set aside for construction and equipment projects at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
State and local coastal programs that receive federal grants under the Coastal Zone Management Act. It also affects NOAA, which manages these grant funds.
Waiving matching funds can help grant applicants with less money complete coastal projects, but it also means the federal government covers a bigger share of the cost.
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The Secretary of Commerce, or the designee of the Secretary, may waive up to 50 percent of the cost sharing requirements under section 315, of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 ( 16 U.S.C. 1461 ) as necessary at the request of the grant applicant, for amounts made available under this Act under the heading Procurement, Acquisition and Construction under the heading National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
Rules for spending leftover Commerce Department money
This section deals with old, unused money at the Department of Commerce. Some agency funds from past years expire. Any leftover amounts had been moved into a special fund for one-time costs. This section says the Department cannot spend that leftover money right away. It must first tell Congress about its plans. The Department must notify the House and Senate spending committees 30 days before using the funds.
This affects the Department of Commerce and its budget staff. It also affects Congress members who oversee federal spending.
This gives Congress more oversight of old unused funds, but it also slows down how fast the Department can use that money.
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Any unobligated balances of expired discretionary funds transferred to the Department of Commerce Nonrecurring Expenses Fund, as authorized by section 111 of title I of division B of Public Law 116–93 , may be obligated only after the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate are notified at least 30 days in advance of the planned use of funds.
Flexible moving pay for weather service staff
This section lets the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration change how it pays for employee moves. It covers the National Weather Service. The agency can set a flat or alternative rate for relocation costs. This includes payments for permanent change of station moves. The agency must consult with Weather Service workers and outside personnel experts first. This new rate can skip normal federal rules that usually control moving pay.
National Weather Service employees who relocate for work, and NOAA managers who handle staff moves.
This gives NOAA more flexibility to set moving pay rates, but it also means those rates may not follow the usual government-wide rules meant to standardize relocation costs.
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may establish an alternative or fixed rate for relocation allowance, including permanent change of station allowance, notwithstanding the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5724 and the regulations prescribed under 5 U.S.C. 5738
Keeping weather service fully staffed
This section tells the National Weather Service to keep enough workers on the job. It must hire new staff, keep current staff, and rehire workers after people leave. The goal is to protect people's lives and property. This supports the agency's basic job of watching weather and warning the public.
This affects National Weather Service employees and the public who rely on weather forecasts and warnings.
Keeping full staffing can improve forecast quality and safety, but it also means ongoing costs for hiring and payroll.
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The National Weather Service shall maintain staffing levels by hiring, retaining, and rehiring after separations in order to fulfill the mission required under 15 U.S.C. 313 to protect life and property to the maximum extent possible.
Extra funds for Attorney General events
This section gives the Attorney General up to $50,000 extra. The money can pay for official receptions and representation events. This is on top of other Department of Justice funds in this title. The money cannot be used for anything else.
The Attorney General and the Department of Justice. Taxpayers fund this spending.
The money helps cover hosting costs for official events, but it adds a small extra expense that some may see as unnecessary.
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a total of not to exceed $50,000 from funds appropriated to the Department of Justice in this title shall be available to the Attorney General for official reception and representation expenses.
Ban on using funds for abortion
This section blocks money in this part of the bill from paying for abortions. There are three exceptions. Funds can be used if the mother's life is at risk, or if the pregnancy is from rape or incest. The section also says if a court rules this ban unconstitutional, the ban no longer applies.
This affects federal agencies covered by this title, and people who use their health programs or services.
The rule limits how federal money can be spent on abortion care, but it allows exceptions for life-threatening cases, rape, or incest.
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None of the funds appropriated by this title shall be available to pay for an abortion, except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or in the case of rape or incest
No forced role in abortions
This section limits how this title's money can be used. No funds here can force any person to perform an abortion. No funds here can force a person to help carry out an abortion in any way. This means staff or workers cannot be required to take part in an abortion procedure or task.
Federal employees and workers whose jobs are funded by this part of the bill. It mainly protects people who object to performing or assisting with abortions.
This protects workers from being forced into abortion-related duties, but it does not address access to abortion services for others.
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None of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used to require any person to perform, or facilitate in any way the performance of, any abortion.
Escort services for female inmates kept in place
This section talks about a rule in the section before it (section 203). That earlier rule lets Bureau of Prisons staff opt out of certain duties based on their personal beliefs. This section makes clear that the opt-out does not cancel one specific duty. Prison staff must still provide escorts for female inmates who need to leave the facility for a service. The section also says this rule does not weaken or change the purpose of section 203, which protects staff beliefs.
This affects female federal inmates who need outside services, and Bureau of Prisons staff who provide escorts.
Inmates keep guaranteed access to escorted outside services, but this limits how far staff can use personal belief exemptions under section 203.
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Nothing in the preceding section shall remove the obligation of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide escort services necessary for a female inmate to receive such service outside the Federal facility
Moving money between Justice Department programs
This section lets the Department of Justice shift some money between its different funding accounts. It cannot move more than 3 percent of any account's total budget. It also cannot grow any single account by more than 6 percent using these shifts. Before making a shift, the department must follow a reporting process set up elsewhere in the law. This process is called a reprogramming notice. Two specific funding programs are left out of this rule. They are certain state and local law enforcement grants and certain community policing grants.
This affects the Department of Justice and the programs it funds, including state, local, and community law enforcement groups that receive federal grants.
This gives the department flexibility to fix funding gaps during the year, but it limits how much money can move and requires oversight so Congress keeps some control over spending choices.
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Not to exceed 3 percent of any appropriation made available for the current fiscal year for the Department of Justice in this Act may be transferred between such appropriations, but no such appropriation, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall be increased by more than 6 percent by any such transfers
Rules for moving high security prisoners
This section limits how the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. Marshals Service can spend money. They cannot use funds to move a maximum or high security prisoner to a new location. The only exception is if the Bureau of Prisons certifies the new place as secure enough. This stops agencies from sending dangerous prisoners to facilities that are not built to hold them safely.
This affects the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, and prisoners classified as maximum or high security.
This rule aims to keep dangerous prisoners in secure facilities, but it may limit flexibility for agencies when they need to move prisoners quickly.
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None of the funds made available under this title may be used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons or the United States Marshals Service for the purpose of transporting an individual who is a prisoner pursuant to conviction for crime under State or Federal law and is classified as a maximum or high security prisoner, other than to a prison or other facility certified by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure for housing such a prisoner.
Limits on prison cable TV and entertainment spending
This section stops federal prisons from using this law's money to buy cable TV service. It also blocks spending on audiovisual or electronic gear used mainly for fun or recreation. But there is an exception. Prisons can still rent, keep, or buy this equipment for training, religious, or education programs for inmates.
Federal prisons, prison staff, and inmates. It mainly limits how prisons spend money on entertainment items.
The rule saves money and limits entertainment spending, but it could also make it harder to fund useful equipment if people disagree about what counts as recreational versus educational.
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None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used by Federal prisons to purchase cable television services, or to rent or purchase audiovisual or electronic media or equipment used primarily for recreational purposes.
Review of big technology projects at the Justice Department
This section sets a rule for costly technology projects at the Department of Justice. If a new or upgraded computer system will cost more than $100 million to build, the department cannot spend money on it right away. First, two officials must check the project. The Deputy Attorney General and an investment review board must confirm two things. They must confirm the project has good management and contractor oversight. They must also confirm the project fits with the department's overall technology plan. Only after this check can Congress's spending committees get formal notice and the money be used.
This affects the Department of Justice and companies that build its technology systems. It also affects Congress, which gets a say before big tech spending happens.
This rule adds a review step that can slow down large tech projects, but it aims to stop wasteful or poorly managed spending.
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None of the funds made available under this title shall be obligated or expended for any new or enhanced information technology program having total estimated development costs in excess of $100,000,000, unless the Deputy Attorney General and the investment review board certify to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate that the information technology program has appropriate program management controls and contractor oversight mechanisms in place, and that the program is compatible with the enterprise architecture of the Department of Justice.
Rules for changing how money is spent
This section sets rules for agencies that want to shift money around. If an agency wants to spend money differently than planned, it must follow the notice rules in Section 505. This also applies to old, unused funds from past years. Agencies must tell Congress before making these changes.
Federal agencies funded by this Act, and Congress, which must be notified of spending changes.
This gives Congress more oversight of spending changes, but it may slow down agencies that need to adjust funds quickly.
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The notification thresholds and procedures set forth in section 505 of this Act shall apply to deviations from the amounts designated for specific activities in this Act and in the report accompanying this Act, and to any use of deobligated balances of funds provided under this title in previous years.
No outsourcing studies for prison jobs
This section blocks money in this law from being used for one thing. It stops any study that would compare federal prison workers to private contractors. This is called a public-private competition. The government uses these studies to decide if a job should go to a private company instead. This section says that process cannot be planned, started, or finished for Bureau of Prisons workers. It also covers workers at Federal Prison Industries, a company that uses prison labor to make goods. No funds can go toward starting, continuing, or approving this kind of study.
This affects Bureau of Prisons employees and Federal Prison Industries workers. It also affects private companies that might want to compete for this work.
This protects federal and prison industry jobs from being replaced by private contractors, but it also blocks any review of whether private companies could do the work cheaper or better.
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None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used to plan for, begin, continue, finish, process, or approve a public-private competition under the Office of Management and Budget Circular A–76 or any successor administrative regulation, directive, or policy for work performed by employees of the Bureau of Prisons or of Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated.
Residency rule for U.S. Attorneys
This section deals with U.S. Attorneys, who are top federal prosecutors in each district. The law normally says a U.S. Attorney must live in the district they serve. This section blocks funding for any U.S. Attorney who is given extra duties by the Attorney General that would let them skip that home-district rule. In short, no money can be used to pay or support a U.S. Attorney who is excused from living where they work because of added job duties.
This affects U.S. Attorneys, the Attorney General's office, and the Department of Justice's budget and staffing decisions.
This keeps U.S. Attorneys tied to local residency rules, but it may limit the Attorney General's flexibility to assign extra duties across districts.
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no funds shall be available for the salary, benefits, or expenses of any United States Attorney assigned dual or additional responsibilities by the Attorney General or his designee that exempt that United States Attorney from the residency requirements of section 545 of title 28, United States Code.
Moving some justice grant money to training and research
This section lets the Attorney General shift small amounts of money from certain Justice Department grant programs. These programs cover research, state and local law enforcement aid, and juvenile justice. Up to 2 percent of the grant funds can pay for training and technical help. Another 2 percent can be moved to the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Those two agencies would use the money for research and data work. This does not apply to funds already set aside just for research or statistics.
This affects the Justice Department, its grant programs, and groups that receive justice-related grants, like state and local law enforcement and juvenile justice programs.
It gives officials flexibility to fund training and research, but it means less money stays in the original grant programs for direct local use.
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up to 2 percent of funds made available to the Office of Justice Programs for grant or reimbursement programs may be used by such Office to provide training and technical assistance
Exception for one law enforcement grant item
This section creates one exception. A general rule in the bill will not apply to one specific item. That item is listed as paragraph 1(P) under State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance. This part of the bill gives money to help state and local police. The exception means that one listed item is treated differently than the rest of the rule. The bill text does not say what the main rule is in this excerpt, so the exact effect depends on the rule it refers to elsewhere in the law.
State and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal grant money through this program.
Carving out an exception lets one grant item work differently, but it can make the law harder to understand without checking other sections.
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This section shall not apply to paragraph 1(P) under the heading State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance .
Waiving match requirements for justice grants during fiscal hardship
This section lets the Attorney General waive certain rules for some justice grants. This only applies if a grantee proves it has a fiscal hardship. It covers two grant programs. The first helps former prisoners re-enter their communities. The second helps prevent prison rape and protect inmates. Normally, groups that get these grants must follow spending match rules. This section lets the Attorney General skip those rules if money is tight for the grantee. It applies to funds from 2023 through 2026.
State and local governments and organizations that receive these federal justice grants, and the people they serve, such as former inmates and current prisoners.
This gives struggling grantees more flexibility to use federal money, but it also means fewer required local contributions and oversight checks on how funds are matched.
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Upon request by a grantee for whom the Attorney General has determined there is a fiscal hardship, the Attorney General may, with respect to funds appropriated in this or any other Act making appropriations for fiscal years 2023 through 2026 for the following programs, waive the following requirements
Turning off a drug test rule for crime law money
This section blocks part of an old 1994 crime law from applying. That old law requires states to test some people for drugs. The test must happen before they get out of prison. It applies to people convicted of certain crimes. This section says that rule does not apply to money from this bill. It also does not apply to money from any other law. This means the drug testing rule will not be enforced using these funds.
State and local justice systems that get federal crime funding, and people convicted of certain offenses who might otherwise be tested for drugs before release.
States get more freedom to skip the drug testing requirement, but that means one safeguard tied to past crime laws may not be enforced.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, section 20109(a) of subtitle A of title II of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 ( 34 U.S.C. 12109(a) ) shall not apply to amounts made available by this or any other Act.
Limit on federal agents transferring guns to suspected cartel agents
This section limits how federal law enforcement agents can use money from this bill. Agents cannot use these funds to help give a working gun to someone they think works for a drug cartel. This rule has one exception. Agents can still do it if U.S. law enforcement watches or controls the gun the whole time. This rule does not affect money used for the national background check system for gun buyers.
Federal law enforcement officers and agencies that handle firearms during investigations. It also relates to the national background check system.
The rule aims to stop guns from reaching cartel agents, but it could make some undercover or tracking operations harder to carry out.
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None of the funds made available under this Act, other than for the national instant criminal background check system established under section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act ( 34 U.S.C. 40901 ), may be used by a Federal law enforcement officer to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to an individual if the Federal law enforcement officer knows or suspects that the individual is an agent of a drug cartel, unless law enforcement personnel of the United States continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times.
Limits on Justice Department internal fund spending
This section controls how the Department of Justice can use money in its internal working capital fund. Normally, extra income in this fund stays locked up during 2026. But the department can use up to $12 million of it to build a single financial management system. The section also allows up to $30 million from a separate transferred account to be spent in 2026. It allows up to $10 million more from another account tied to asset forfeiture funds. Any use of these last two amounts must go through a special review process called reprogramming.
This affects the Department of Justice's internal budget operations and oversight by Congress. It does not directly affect everyday citizens.
Locking most of the fund keeps spending in check, but it limits the department's flexibility to use its own saved money for other needs.
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None of the income retained in the Department of Justice Working Capital Fund pursuant to title I of Public Law 102–140 (105 Stat. 784; 28 U.S.C. 527 note) shall be available for obligation during fiscal year 2026, except up to $12,000,000 may be obligated for implementation of a unified Department of Justice financial management system.
Office of Justice Programs can join pilot funding projects
This section lets the Office of Justice Programs use some of its money for a program called Performance Partnership Pilots. These pilots let different federal agencies combine funds. The goal is to test new ways of solving problems, like helping at-risk youth. This section says the office can keep taking part in these pilots, using rules already set by past budget laws.
This affects the Office of Justice Programs and any state or local groups working with it on pilot projects.
It gives the office more flexibility to test new approaches, but it also means some justice funds get mixed with other agencies' money instead of staying separate.
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Discretionary funds that are made available in this Act for the Office of Justice Programs may be used to participate in Performance Partnership Pilots authorized under such authorities as have been enacted for Performance Partnership Pilots in appropriations acts in prior fiscal years and the current fiscal year.
Required quarterly fund reports to Congress
This section tells the Attorney General to send reports to Congress every three months. The reports must cover four funds: the Crime Victims Fund, the Working Capital Fund, the Three Percent Fund, and the Asset Forfeiture Fund. Each report must include as much detail as the reports given to Congress in 2024. This lets Congress track how much money is in these funds and how it is used.
The Department of Justice and the Attorney General must prepare these reports. Congress members on the Appropriations Committees receive and review them.
This gives Congress more regular oversight of these funds, but it adds extra reporting work for the Department of Justice.
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The Attorney General shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate quarterly reports on the Crime Victims Fund, the Working Capital Fund, the Three Percent Fund, and the Asset Forfeiture Fund.
Limits on live tissue training
This section limits a type of medical training called live tissue training. This training uses live animals to teach trauma care. The section says no money from this law can pay for this training. There is one exception. The Attorney General can allow it in writing. The Attorney General must say the training is medically necessary. The Attorney General must also say no other method can replace it. This decision cannot be handed off to someone else.
This affects the Department of Justice, law enforcement, and any staff who get medical trauma training funded by this bill.
This rule may protect animals used in training, but it could limit realistic trauma training unless the Attorney General approves an exception.
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None of the funds made available under this Act may be used to conduct, contract for, or otherwise support, live tissue training, unless the Attorney General issues a written, non-delegable determination that such training is medically necessary and cannot be replicated by alternatives.
No DOJ targeting of peaceful school board protesters
This section limits how the Department of Justice can spend its money. It says the agency cannot use these funds to target or investigate parents who protest peacefully at school board meetings. This rule only applies if the parents are not suspected of breaking any law. Parents who commit crimes or threaten people are not protected by this rule.
Parents who attend school board meetings, and Department of Justice staff who decide which cases to investigate.
This protects peaceful protesters from unwanted scrutiny, but it could make it harder for investigators to look into early warning signs if a situation later turns unlawful.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Department of Justice to target or investigate parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and are not suspected of engaging in unlawful activity.
No funds to investigate religious institutions for their beliefs
This section limits how agencies can use money from this law. Agencies cannot use the funds to investigate or prosecute a religious group just because of what it believes. The money can still fund other law enforcement work. It only blocks investigations based on religious beliefs alone.
Churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious institutions. Also federal agencies, such as the Justice Department, that get funding from this law.
This protects religious groups from being targeted for their beliefs, but it could also limit how agencies investigate cases where religious belief and other conduct are connected.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to investigate or prosecute religious institutions on the basis of their religious beliefs.
Rule on contacts between Justice officials and Congress staff
This section limits a Justice Department policy. That policy is called Justice Manual 1-8.200 and 1-8.210. It controls how Justice officials talk with Congress. This section says the policy cannot block communication with certain people. Those people are the top leaders and staff of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. The rule applies to talks about department money, spending laws, and other budget rules. The goal is to let these committee leaders get information freely. The section also blocks similar informal rules that try to do the same thing.
It affects Justice Department staff and leaders of Congress's Appropriations Committees. It shapes how they can communicate about budget matters.
It gives Congress easier access to Justice Department information on spending, but it may limit the Department's ability to control or screen those communications.
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None of the funds made available by this Act shall be available for the application of Justice Manual 1-8.200 and 1-8.210, or for the application of any associated or substantially similar memoranda, policy documents, or informal guidance, to communications to and from the Chair, Vice Chair, or staff of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, or the Chair, Ranking Member, or staff of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, relating to Departmental resources, the application of enacted appropriations acts, or the application of Federal laws related to appropriations.
Deadlines for state and local law enforcement grants
This section sets time limits for a specific pot of federal money. That money helps state and local police and justice programs. The Department of Justice must post notices about these grants within 90 days. The notices tell groups how to apply. The Department must then give out the money by September 30, 2026. An agency can skip these deadlines only in special cases. To skip them, the head of the grant office must send a letter. That letter must go to Congress's spending committees. It must explain why the deadline cannot be met.
State and local police departments, justice programs, and groups that apply for Department of Justice grants.
Setting firm deadlines can speed up funding to communities, but it may also pressure officials to rush award decisions or seek waivers if problems arise.
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The notices of funding opportunities for the grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other assistance provided for under the heading State and Local Law Enforcement Activities shall be publicly posted no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act
Preserve Epstein case records and report to Congress
This section tells the Attorney General to keep all records about Jeffrey Epstein. This includes files on his investigation, prosecution, victim services, and time in jail. Within 60 days, the Attorney General must send a report to a Senate committee. The report must cover the case history, including a 2008 deal that let Epstein avoid prosecution. It must also cover victims and their legal notifications, and the investigation of people who worked with Epstein. It must include internal reviews of any misconduct by the Department of Justice. The report must also update lawmakers on Epstein's financial and trafficking networks. It must assess his financial ties and any connections to the U.S. government or foreign governments. Finally, it must explain any failures at the jail where Epstein died. The Attorney General can hide victims' names to protect their privacy.
The Department of Justice, the Attorney General, Epstein case victims, and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The report gives Congress more oversight and information, but the Attorney General controls what details get redacted for privacy.
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The Attorney General shall retain, preserve, and compile any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution, services provided to victims, or incarceration of Jeffrey Epstein
Ban on unauthorized publicity or propaganda spending
This section limits how agencies can use money from this law. Agencies cannot spend the funds on publicity or propaganda. This applies unless Congress has approved that specific use. The rule is meant to stop agencies from using tax dollars to promote themselves or push messages without lawmakers' okay.
Federal agencies funded by this law, and any staff who manage public communication or outreach budgets.
This limits how agencies can share information with the public, but it also guards against using taxpayer money for self-promotion or political messaging.
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No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by the Congress.
Money must be spent in the same year
This section sets a time limit on the money in this bill. Agencies must use their funding within the current fiscal year. If a part of the law says money can last longer, that part still applies. But without that special note, leftover money cannot carry over to future years.
It affects federal agencies that receive funding through this appropriations act.
This rule pushes agencies to spend funds quickly, but it may limit flexibility for projects that take more than one year to finish.
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No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Public access to consulting contract spending
This section sets a rule for money spent in this law. Agencies can hire outside consultants under a specific federal rule. But those spending records must be public. People must be able to look at them. This does not apply if another law or executive order already allows the records to stay private.
Federal agencies that hire consultants, and members of the public who want to review government spending records.
This increases transparency for taxpayers, but it may limit flexibility for agencies that want to keep some consulting deals confidential.
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The expenditure of any appropriation under this Act for any consulting service through procurement contract, pursuant to section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law, or under existing Executive order issued pursuant to existing law.
What happens if part of this law is struck down
This section is a safety rule for the law itself. It says that if a court finds one part of this act illegal, the rest of the act still stands. Only the specific invalid part stops working. All other sections keep going as planned. This kind of rule is common in large laws like this spending bill.
This affects courts, government agencies, and anyone impacted by the law if part of it is ever challenged in court.
This protects the rest of the law from collapsing over one bad provision, but it also means flawed parts of the law can stay separate instead of forcing lawmakers to fix the whole bill at once.
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If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of each provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.
Rules for shifting money between programs
This section controls how agencies move money around after Congress sets a budget. Agencies cannot start new programs, end old ones, or make big changes to funding without telling Congress first. Big changes include moving offices, renaming programs, outsourcing federal jobs, or changing a program's budget by more than $500,000 or 5 percent. Agencies must warn Congress 30 days before making these changes. They must also give 30 days notice before laying off workers. This notice must explain future budget effects. After July 1, 2026, agencies mostly cannot make these changes at all, unless there is an emergency that threatens lives or property.
Federal agencies funded by this bill, their employees, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
This gives Congress more oversight and control over agency spending, but it limits how quickly agencies can adapt their budgets to new needs.
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shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates or initiates a new program, project, or activity; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity
Made in America label rules
This section deals with false Made in America labels. If a court or agency finds someone lied about a product being made in the U.S., that person or company cannot get contracts paid for by this bill's funds. The ban follows standard federal debarment rules. The section also says agencies should buy promotional items made in the U.S. when they can. This applies to things like pens, mugs, or other giveaway items bought with this bill's money.
Companies and people who sell goods or services to federal agencies funded by this bill, especially those selling promotional items.
This rule punishes false labeling and favors U.S.-made goods, but it may limit agencies to pricier or fewer supplier options for promotional items.
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If it has been finally determined by a court or Federal agency that any person intentionally affixed a label bearing a Made in America inscription, or any inscription with the same meaning, to any product sold in or shipped to the United States that is not made in the United States, the person shall be ineligible to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made available in this Act
Quarterly spending reports to Congress
This section tells four agencies to report their money status often. These agencies are the Commerce Department, the Justice Department, the National Science Foundation, and NASA. Each must send a report every three months. The report must show unspent funds for each account. It must also show which budget year each dollar came from. It must list money that is promised but not yet spent. It must sort that money by the year it was promised. Agencies must send these reports within 30 days after each quarter ends. If an agency's computer system cannot track all this detail, it must do as much as it can. It must then explain in the report what it could not track.
This affects the Commerce Department, Justice Department, National Science Foundation, and NASA. It also affects Congress members who oversee federal spending.
This gives Congress more detailed tracking of agency spending, but it adds extra paperwork and reporting work for the agencies.
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The Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Science Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a quarterly report on the status of balances of appropriations at the account level.
Paying for layoffs and staff changes from budget cuts
This section deals with costs from staff changes caused by this bill's funding cuts. If an agency has to pay money to lay off workers, or to avoid layoffs, it must use its own existing budget. It cannot ask for extra money. Agencies can move funds between accounts to cover these costs. But any such funding shift must follow the normal reprogramming rules in another part of this bill. Congress must be told about and approve these moves first. For the Department of Commerce, this rule also covers costs to protect property used as loan collateral or grant property.
Federal agencies funded by this bill, their employees facing possible layoffs, and the Department of Commerce's loan and grant programs.
Agencies gain flexibility to move money around for staffing costs, but they must find that money within their current budget and follow extra reporting steps, which can slow things down.
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Any costs incurred by a department or agency funded under this Act resulting from, or to prevent, personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions included in this Act shall be absorbed within the total budgetary resources available to such department or agency
Ban on using funds to promote tobacco exports
This section stops agencies from using this bill's money to help sell or export tobacco products. It also stops them from pressuring other countries to drop their tobacco marketing rules. There is one exception. Agencies can still push back if a country's rules unfairly target only certain tobacco products, but not others of the same kind.
This affects federal agencies funded by this bill, tobacco companies, and foreign governments that regulate tobacco marketing.
The rule limits government support for tobacco sales abroad, but it also limits the government's ability to challenge foreign trade rules on tobacco, even when those rules might otherwise be seen as unfair trade barriers.
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None of the funds provided by this Act shall be available to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products, or to seek the reduction or removal by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of tobacco or tobacco products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco products of the same type.
Limits on the Crime Victims Fund
This section controls a special fund that pays for crime victim services. The fund gets money from fines and fees paid by criminals, not taxes. If the fund has more than $1.9 billion in a year, the extra money must wait until next year to be used. The section also sets aside some money for two purposes. First, $10 million goes to the Justice Department's Inspector General. This money pays for oversight and audits of the fund. Second, 5 percent of the fund goes to the Office for Victims of Crime. That money pays for grants to Indian Tribes. The grants help tribes improve services for crime victims.
Crime victims who use support services, Indian Tribes that run victim assistance programs, and the Justice Department office that audits the fund.
Capping the fund each year controls spending and builds in oversight, but it also means some available victim-support money must sit unused until the next fiscal year.
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amounts deposited or available in the Fund established by section 1402 of chapter XIV of title II of Public Law 98–473 ( 34 U.S.C. 20101 ) in any fiscal year in excess of $1,900,000,000 shall not be available for obligation until the following fiscal year
Protecting religious and moral beliefs in DOJ-funded programs
This section limits how Department of Justice money can be used. It says that none of this funding can go toward programs that discriminate against or put down the religious or moral beliefs of students. This rule also covers the parents or guardians of those students. It applies to any program that gets money from this law's Department of Justice funds.
This affects students, parents, and guardians who take part in programs funded by the Department of Justice under this Act. It also affects agencies and groups that run those programs.
This protects people's religious and moral views in funded programs, but it could make it harder to set rules or policies that some might see as conflicting with those beliefs.
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None of the funds made available to the Department of Justice in this Act may be used to discriminate against or denigrate the religious or moral beliefs of students who participate in programs for which financial assistance is provided from those funds, or of the parents or legal guardians of such students.
Limit on moving money to other agencies
This section stops agencies from sending this law's money to other government offices. The only way to move the money is if this law or another spending law allows it. This keeps agencies from quietly shifting funds to places Congress did not approve. It helps keep spending choices close to what lawmakers decided.
Federal agencies and offices that receive funding through this appropriations act.
This gives Congress more control over how money is used, but it also makes it harder for agencies to quickly move funds to handle surprise needs.
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None of the funds made available in this Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act.
Audits and public reporting on grant and contract spending
This section tells Inspectors General at several agencies to audit grants and contracts paid for by this law. These agencies include the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Legal Services Corporation. Auditors must update Congress every 180 days while an audit is ongoing. Once an audit is done, the agency must post the results online within 60 days. Some private or sensitive details will be removed first. Anyone who gets a grant or contract under this law must also certify that the money will not go to a subcontractor who has a financial stake in the original recipient. These rules only start once the Office of Management and Budget confirms that similar ethics rules apply across the whole executive branch.
It affects federal agencies, their Inspectors General, and companies or groups that receive government grants or contracts funded by this law.
This creates more oversight and public transparency, but it also adds paperwork and delays before the rules fully take effect.
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shall conduct audits, pursuant to the Inspector General Act (5 U.S.C. App.), of grants or contracts for which funds are appropriated by this Act, and shall submit reports to Congress on the progress of such audits
Cybersecurity checks before buying computer systems
This section limits how some agencies can spend money on computer systems. It covers the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. These agencies cannot buy high-risk or medium-risk information systems right away. First, they must check the system's supply chain for risks. They must work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the FBI to do this. They must also look for any danger of spying or sabotage. This includes checks on sellers linked to China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. If risks are found, agency leaders must create a plan to reduce them. They must decide if buying the system is still in the national interest. Then they must report that decision to Congress and to their agency's inspector general.
This affects the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. It also affects companies that sell computer systems to these agencies.
The rule adds safety checks against foreign cyber threats, but it may slow down or complicate how these agencies buy new technology.
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None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act may be used by the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Science Foundation to acquire a high-impact or moderate-impact information system
Ban on using funds to support torture
This section stops money in this law from being used to support or justify torture. This rule applies to any U.S. government official. It also applies to any contract worker. They cannot use these funds for torture in any way. This is a clear limit on how the money can be spent.
Federal employees and contract workers covered by this funding law.
This rule blocks a specific use of funds, which limits options for officials but does not expand or change other laws on torture or interrogation.
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None of the funds made available in this Act shall be used in any way whatsoever to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract employee of the United States Government.
Ban on certain old trade deal text in new agreements
This section limits what the government can put in future trade deals. It says no money from this law can be used to write new trade agreements that copy specific text from three older deals. Those older deals are with Singapore, Australia, and Morocco. Each one has a specific paragraph or clause this rule blocks. The section does not explain what those clauses say. It only blocks copying them into new deals.
This affects U.S. trade officials who negotiate new trade agreements. It may also affect other countries negotiating trade deals with the United States.
Blocking this old text may keep future trade deals from repeating rules some see as outdated, but it also limits negotiators' flexibility to reuse proven language.
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None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to include in any new bilateral or multilateral trade agreement the text of— (1) paragraph 2 of article 16.7 of the United States–Singapore Free Trade Agreement; (2) paragraph 4 of article 17.9 of the United States–Australia Free Trade Agreement; or (3) paragraph 4 of article 15.9 of the United States–Morocco Free Trade Agreement.
Limits on FBI national security letters
This section controls how the FBI can use national security letters. These letters let the FBI ask companies for records without a court order. The section says no money in this Act can fund letters that break certain privacy and security laws. It names several laws the FBI must follow. These include the Right to Financial Privacy Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It also names the National Security Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, and the USA FREEDOM Act. The FBI must follow these laws and any related updates to them.
This affects the FBI and its use of national security letters. It also affects people and companies whose records could be requested.
This keeps FBI information requests tied to existing privacy laws, but it does not add new rules or limits beyond what those laws already require.
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None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to authorize or issue a national security letter in contravention of any of the following laws authorizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue national security letters
Reporting big cost overruns on major projects
This section applies to big projects run by the Commerce Department, Justice Department, NASA, or the National Science Foundation. It only covers projects worth more than $75 million. If a project's cost grows by 10 percent or more, the program manager must tell their agency leader right away. The leader must then tell Congress within 30 days. This report must explain why costs went up. It must also describe steps taken to control future costs. It must show new cost estimates. It must confirm the project's management can handle cost control.
Affects federal agencies (Commerce, Justice, NASA, NSF) running large projects, and Congress, which gets the reports.
This rule gives Congress more oversight of costly project overruns, but it adds paperwork and reporting work for program managers and agency leaders.
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If at any time during any quarter, the program manager of a project within the jurisdiction of the Departments of Commerce or Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Science Foundation totaling more than $75,000,000 has reasonable cause to believe that the total program cost has increased by 10 percent or more, the program manager shall immediately inform the respective Secretary, Administrator, or Director.
Temporary authorization for intelligence funding
This section deals with money for intelligence and intelligence-related work. By law, such spending normally needs a separate authorization bill passed each year. This section says the funds in this appropriations act count as already authorized for 2026. This rule lasts until Congress passes a full Intelligence Authorization Act for 2026. It lets agencies keep spending intelligence funds without waiting for that separate law.
This affects intelligence agencies and the officials who oversee their budgets. It also affects Congress, since it changes when full authorization review happens.
It lets intelligence work continue without delay, but it means Congress has not yet given detailed, updated approval for how that money is spent.
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Funds appropriated by this Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence or intelligence related activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the Congress for purposes of section 504 of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3094 ) during fiscal year 2026 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.
Tax check for big contracts and grants
This section sets a rule for large federal contracts and grants. It applies when the amount is more than $5,000,000. Before getting the money, a company or group must sign a statement. The statement says they filed their federal tax returns for the last three years. It also says they were not convicted of a tax crime. It also says they do not have unpaid federal taxes. There is an exception for unpaid taxes. The company can still qualify if it has a payment plan with the IRS. It can also qualify if the tax issue is being fought in court or through an appeal.
Companies and organizations that want large federal contracts or grants from agencies funded by this bill.
This rule helps ensure tax-compliant contractors get public money, but it may add paperwork and delay for large contracts and grants.
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None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the contractor or grantee has filed all Federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has not, more than 90 days prior to certification, been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied
Taking back unused money from Commerce and Justice programs
This section cancels leftover, unspent money from past budgets. It pulls $30 million from an economic development program and $15 million from a Census Bureau fund. It also pulls $15 million from a program against violence toward women. It takes $125 million from the Office of Justice Programs and $20 million from community policing funds. It takes $100 million from a Justice Department working fund. The money must be taken back by September 30, 2026. The two departments must report to Congress by September 1, 2026, listing exactly how much they took from each account. The section protects certain funds from being cut. It will not touch money marked for emergencies or disasters. It also will not touch certain state and local law enforcement grants listed in earlier laws.
This affects the Department of Commerce and Department of Justice. It also affects state and local agencies that rely on grants from these programs.
The government saves money by reclaiming unused funds, but programs that had this money set aside lose access to it for future use.
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Of the unobligated balances available to the Department of Commerce, the following funds are hereby permanently rescinded, not later than September 30, 2026, from the following accounts in the specified amounts
No first class flights with agency funds
This section limits how agencies can spend money from this law on air travel. It says agencies cannot use the funds to buy first class or premium airline tickets. This only applies if buying those tickets would break existing federal travel rules. Those rules are found in title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The rules already set limits on when premium travel is allowed. This section makes sure the bill's money follows those same limits.
Federal employees and agencies covered by this spending bill, especially those who book work travel.
This can save taxpayer money by limiting pricey travel, but it may also restrict flexibility for employees who have valid reasons for premium seating, like medical needs or long trips.
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None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to purchase first class or premium airline travel in contravention of sections 301–10.122 through 301–10.124 of title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Limits on sending federal workers to overseas conferences
This section limits how federal agencies use money from this law. Agencies cannot pay for more than 50 U.S.-based employees to attend the same conference outside the country. There are two exceptions. First, law enforcement conferences are allowed if most attendees are law enforcement staff already stationed abroad. Second, science conferences are allowed if the agency head says it is in the national interest. In that case, the agency must tell Congress within 15 days and explain why.
Federal agencies and their employees who travel to conferences outside the United States. It also affects Congress, which gets notified when the science exception is used.
This rule can save money and reduce large overseas trips, but it may also limit agencies' ability to send many experts to useful international meetings.
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None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to send or otherwise pay for the attendance of more than 50 employees from a Federal department or agency, who are stationed in the United States, at any single conference occurring outside the United States
Tracking unused grant money
This section deals with grant money that agencies never spent. Sometimes a grant ends, but some of its money is still sitting unused. This is called an undisbursed balance in an expired grant account. This section tells the Office of Management and Budget to make agencies track this leftover money. Agencies must report it each year. They must explain how they plan to fix the problem. They must describe how they track the unused money. They must identify money that could go back to the U.S. Treasury. They must also share data from the past three years. This includes how many expired grant accounts had leftover money and how much money was never used for any project.
This affects federal agencies that give out grants, and it affects oversight bodies that review agency spending.
This creates more paperwork for agencies, but it helps spot unused money that could be returned to the Treasury or reused.
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The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall instruct any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States receiving funds appropriated under this Act to track undisbursed balances in expired grant accounts
Buy energy-efficient light bulbs
This section tells agencies to try to buy energy-efficient light bulbs. These bulbs must have an Energy Star label or a similar federal energy rating. Agencies should do this when it is practical. The rule is a suggestion, not a strict requirement.
Federal agencies that get money from this bill. It may also affect light bulb makers and sellers who supply those agencies.
Energy-efficient bulbs can save money over time, but they may cost more upfront or limit which products agencies can buy.
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To the extent practicable, funds made available in this Act should be used to purchase light bulbs that are Energy Star qualified or have the Federal Energy Management Program designation.
Limits on NASA cooperation with China
This section limits ties between China and three agencies. Those agencies are NASA, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Space Council. They cannot use this bill's money to work with China or Chinese-owned companies. This rule applies unless a future law allows it. NASA also cannot host official Chinese visitors at its facilities using this money. There is an exception. Agencies can still do an activity if they check with the FBI first. They must certify the activity will not leak sensitive technology or data to China. They must also certify it will not involve people linked to human rights abuses. If agencies use this exception, they must tell Congress and the FBI. They must do this at least 30 days before the activity happens. They must describe the purpose, agenda, people involved, and location.
NASA, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Space Council, and any Chinese government or company partners they might otherwise work with.
The rule aims to protect sensitive technology and limit human rights risks, but it could also block useful scientific cooperation with China.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), or the National Space Council (NSC) to develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company unless such activities are specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
Blocking pornography on government computer networks
This section limits how agencies can use money from this law. Agencies cannot use the funds to run or set up a computer network. This rule applies unless the network blocks pornography. It blocks viewing, downloading, and sharing it. There is an exception, though. Law enforcement groups can still use the funds. This includes federal, state, tribal, and local agencies. They can use the funds for investigations, prosecutions, and court cases. They can also use funds to help crime victims.
Federal agencies funded by this law, and their computer network systems. Law enforcement agencies and victim assistance programs are exempt from the restriction.
The rule aims to stop misuse of government networks, but it could also make work harder for police and investigators if filters are too strict, which is why the law carves out an exception for them.
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None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
Agencies must submit spending plans
This section tells several federal agencies to send their spending plans to Congress. They must do this within 45 days after the law takes effect. The agency head must sign each plan. The plans must have as much detail as plans sent in 2024. Agencies covered include the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Other smaller agencies, like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Legal Services Corporation, are also included. This helps Congress track how money will be used.
It affects federal agencies named in the bill, and the congressional appropriations committees that review their spending.
This creates more paperwork and reporting work for agencies, but it gives Congress better oversight of how public money is spent.
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shall submit spending plans, signed by the respective department or agency head, to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act
No bonus pay for poor contractor work
This section stops agencies from using this bill's money to pay bonus fees to contractors. It applies when a contractor's work is rated below satisfactory. It also applies when the contractor fails to meet basic contract requirements. In short, agencies cannot reward poor performance with extra pay.
Federal agencies funded by this Act and the private contractors that work for them.
This rule can save taxpayer money and push for better contractor work, but it may also create disputes over how performance is judged.
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none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to pay award or incentive fees for contractor performance that has been judged to be below satisfactory performance or for performance that does not meet the basic requirements of a contract.
Protecting industrial hemp research
This section limits how the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration can spend money from this bill. They cannot use funds to break the rules in an older law called the Agricultural Act of 2014. That law protects legal industrial hemp research. So this section blocks these agencies from interfering with hemp research that is allowed under the 2014 law.
This affects the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and universities or groups doing legal industrial hemp research.
This protects hemp researchers from federal interference, but it also limits how law enforcement agencies can use their funds in this area.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of section 7606 ( Legitimacy of Industrial Hemp Research ) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–79 ) by the Department of Justice or the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Protection for state medical marijuana laws
This section blocks the Department of Justice from using its funds to stop states and territories from running their own medical marijuana programs. It lists nearly all states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. If a state has a law letting people use, grow, carry, or get medical marijuana, the Justice Department cannot spend money to interfere with that law. This does not make marijuana legal under federal law. It only stops the Justice Department from spending money to fight state medical marijuana rules.
This affects state and territorial medical marijuana programs, patients who use medical marijuana, and the Department of Justice's enforcement powers.
States keep more control over their medical marijuana laws, but federal law enforcement loses some power to act against marijuana activity even though it remains illegal under federal law.
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to prevent any of them from implementing their own laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.
Reporting travel to China
This section makes three federal agencies track trips to China. The agencies are the Department of Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Every three months, they must tell Congress about any staff travel to China. They must also explain why each trip happened. This report goes to the spending committees in the House and Senate.
Employees of the Department of Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Also affects the congressional committees that oversee their budgets.
This gives Congress more oversight of government travel to China, but it adds paperwork for the agencies.
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The Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation shall provide a quarterly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate on any official travel to China by any employee of such Department or agency, including the purpose of such travel.
Extra grant money for long-term poor counties
This section sets aside money for counties that have been very poor for a long time. It applies to two grant programs. One helps build public works like roads or water systems. The other supports technology projects. At least 10 percent of money from each program must go to "persistent poverty counties." A county counts if 20 percent or more of its people lived in poverty over the last 30 years. This is based on specific poverty data from 1993, 2000, and the most recent year available. U.S. territories also qualify under this rule.
Counties and territories with long histories of high poverty rates. It also affects agencies that give out these grants.
This guarantees more help for the poorest areas, but it means less grant money is open to other counties that compete for the same funds.
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not less than 10 percent of each total amount provided, respectively, for Public Works grants authorized by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and grants authorized by section 27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3722 ) shall be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties
No license needed for small gun parts exports to Canada
This section deals with exporting gun parts to Canada. It says the government cannot spend money to enforce export license rules for small firearm parts and accessories sent to Canada. This applies if the parts are worth $500 or less in a single sale. The parts must come from a specific list of regulated firearms. Exporters still must file required shipping paperwork. They must also follow other U.S. laws about owning or shipping these items. Some items are not covered by this rule. These include fully automatic gun parts and major gun parts like barrels or frames. Those still need a license unless they are for the Canadian government. The President can bring back license rules for a while. This can happen if Canada's import controls become weak. The parts would have to be at risk of ending up in terrorism or conflicts abroad.
This affects U.S. gun parts makers and sellers who export to Canada. It also affects U.S. and Canadian customs officials who oversee these exports.
This section makes small gun parts exports to Canada easier and cheaper, but it also reduces government tracking of where some gun parts end up.
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none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act or any other Act may be expended or obligated by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States to pay administrative expenses or to compensate an officer or employee of the United States in connection with requiring an export license for the export to Canada of components, parts, accessories or attachments for firearms listed in Category I, section 121.1 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations
Blocking denial of import permits for older U.S.-made firearms
This section stops federal agencies from using their budgets to deny certain import permits. The permits let people bring old U.S.-made guns, gun parts, or ammunition back into the country. These items must qualify as "curios or relics" under federal rules. Agencies cannot pay staff or spend money to reject these applications if they meet the legal requirements.
This affects federal agencies that review gun import permits, and people or companies who import historic U.S.-made firearms, parts, or ammunition.
This makes it easier to import qualifying historic firearms and ammunition, but it limits an agency's power to reject these applications even if officials have other concerns.
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no department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States receiving appropriated funds under this Act or any other Act shall obligate or expend in any way such funds to pay administrative expenses or the compensation of any officer or employee of the United States to deny any application submitted pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2778(b)(1)(B) and qualified pursuant to 27 CFR section 478.112 or .113, for a permit to import United States origin curios or relics firearms, parts, or ammunition.
Shotgun import approvals
This section limits how federal money can be used. It says no funds can pay for staff to block or ignore a shotgun import request. This rule applies if the request meets all other legal rules. It also applies if that same shotgun model was not denied before January 1, 2011. Back then, some shotguns were denied because they were not seen as fit for sports use. This section protects shotgun models that passed that test before 2011.
This affects gun importers, federal agencies that review gun imports, and buyers of imported shotguns.
This makes it easier to import certain shotgun models, but it limits the government's power to block imports based on past sporting-use rules.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to deny, or fail to act on, an application for the importation of any model of shotgun if— (1) all other requirements of law with respect to the proposed importation are met; and (2) no application for the importation of such model of shotgun, in the same configuration, had been denied by the Attorney General prior to January 1, 2011, on the basis that the shotgun was not particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.
No money for the Arms Trade Treaty without Senate approval
This section blocks money from this law from being used to carry out the Arms Trade Treaty. The Arms Trade Treaty is an international agreement about selling and moving weapons across borders. Agencies cannot spend funds on this treaty until the Senate votes to approve it. The Senate must pass a formal resolution of ratification first. Until that happens, this funding rule stays in place.
This affects federal agencies that might work on arms trade rules. It also affects U.S. involvement in the international Arms Trade Treaty.
This rule keeps the treaty on hold until the Senate agrees, but it also stops any early work on the treaty even if other parts of government support it.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be obligated or expended to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution of ratification for the Treaty.
Ban on bringing Guantanamo detainees to the U.S.
This section stops the government from using any funding to move certain Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States. This includes Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other detainees. It applies to people held at Guantanamo on or after June 24, 2009. It only covers detainees who are not U.S. citizens and not members of the U.S. military. No money from this law, or any other law, can be used to transfer or release them to the U.S. or its territories.
This affects Guantanamo Bay detainees who are not U.S. citizens or service members, and federal agencies that handle detainee transfers.
This keeps detainees out of the country, but it limits options for closing the Guantanamo facility or moving detainees for trial or other legal steps.
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None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be used to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who— (1) is not a United States citizen or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and (2) is or was held on or after June 24, 2009, at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense.
Ban on building US prisons for Guantanamo detainees
This section blocks the use of federal money to build or change any facility inside the United States to hold Guantanamo Bay detainees. The ban applies only to facilities run by the Department of Defense. It covers people who, as of June 24, 2009, were held at Guantanamo Bay and are not U.S. citizens or U.S. service members. The rule does not stop the government from changing buildings at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station itself. In short, these detainees cannot be moved to new or modified prisons on U.S. soil using this funding.
This affects the Department of Defense, federal budget planners, and non-citizen detainees held at Guantanamo Bay since mid-2009.
It keeps these detainees out of facilities on U.S. soil, but it also limits the government's options for where to hold or move them.
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None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be used to construct, acquire, or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual described in subsection (c) for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the effective control of the Department of Defense.
Paying claims for victims of state-sponsored terrorism
This section lets the Department of Commerce and the Department of Justice use leftover money to make certain payments. These payments go toward a program that compensates victims of state-sponsored terrorism, set up by an earlier law from 2020. The money must come from funds already given to these two agencies. It cannot come from money marked for emergencies or from a special fund used to pay witness fees in Justice Department legal cases. The section also sets limits. Commerce can pay no more than $5 million. Justice can pay no more than $10 million.
This affects the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, and people who receive payments under the terrorism victim compensation program.
It lets agencies redirect unused funds to help victims faster, but it caps how much each agency can spend, which may limit total payments.
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payments made pursuant to the matter preceding this proviso may not exceed $5,000,000 for the Department of Commerce and $10,000,000 for the Department of Justice.
Managing CHIPS Act money for computer chip programs
This section tells the government how to hand out CHIPS Act money for 2026. The CHIPS Act helps pay for computer chip factories and worker training in the United States. Within 45 days of this law passing, the Secretary of Commerce must send money to specific projects listed in a report. The Director of the National Science Foundation must do the same for job training and education funds. The section also blocks new spending of certain future CHIPS funds if Congress has not passed a full funding bill yet. It lets agencies move some money between projects, but only after telling Congress first. Agencies must also send Congress regular updates on how much money is left unspent for these programs.
This affects the Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation, computer chip companies, job training programs, and Congress members who oversee spending.
This gives agencies clear deadlines and spending rules, but it also limits their freedom to move money quickly without checking with Congress first.
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Within 45 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall allocate amounts made available from the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Fund for fiscal year 2026
Keeping old cost-rate rules for university research grants
This section deals with money that universities get for research. When a federal agency gives a university a grant, the university also gets extra money for overhead costs. These costs include things like lab space and administration. This extra payment rate is called the indirect cost rate. This section says three agencies must keep using the same indirect cost rates from 2024. The agencies are the Department of Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. These agencies cannot spend any money to create new rates or change the 2024 rates. This rule applies to this year's funding and to money from past years too.
Universities and colleges that get research grants from these three agencies. It also affects the agencies themselves, which must follow the older cost rules.
This keeps funding predictable for universities, but it blocks agencies from updating overhead payment rules, even if newer rates would save money or better reflect real costs.
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none of the funds appropriated in this or prior Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts, or otherwise made available to the Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation may be used to develop, modify, or implement changes to such fiscal year 2024 negotiated indirect cost rates.
Citations
- Congress.gov bill text: link (retrieved 2026-10-28)
Public record
Below is the official voting record from Congress.gov. It is not our analysis.
Source: Congress.gov
This bill has no recorded roll-call vote yet. A roll-call vote records how each member voted by name.
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