House Appropriations Committee Approves FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

Strategic Insights -

The House Appropriations Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which was approved with a vote of 34 to 28. The measure allocates a total discretionary budget of $76.824 billion, representing a 2.8 percent decrease from the fiscal year 2025 enacted level. Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) stated that the bill aims to preserve America's recovery, growth, and position on the world stage, while addressing crime and fentanyl-related issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • Preserves Second Amendment rights by maintaining all legacy firearms riders and adding new provisions that strengthen Second Amendment protections.
  • Continues the long-standing Hyde-like prohibition that prevents the use of Department of Justice funds to pay for abortion.
  • Codifies President Trump's executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by prohibiting funding for DEI efforts and Critical Race Theory.
  • Supports President Trump's executive action to restore free speech by prohibiting the federal government from labeling constitutionally protected speech as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation.
  • Urges immigration judges to prioritize case completion and hold them accountable for immigration adjudications.
  • Increases funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to combat fentanyl and other opioids.
  • Maintains strong support for law enforcement by preserving robust funding for Byrne JAG formula grants and COPS Hiring grants.
  • Focusing DOJ grant funding on programs that assist law enforcement in addressing the opioid crisis, combating child exploitation, eliminating the rape kit backlog, and preventing school violence.
  • Directs the re-establishment of the DOJ China Initiative to counter China's malicious activities.
  • Investing in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Providing funding above the FY25 enacted level to curb the flow of China's illicit export of fentanyl and fentanyl precursors into America.
  • Supporting the critical Artemis program to advance American leadership in space and countering China's malign ambitions to steal American research.
  • Canceling progressive grant programs while maintaining strong support for state and local law enforcement.
  • Defunding Biden-era executive orders, rules, and memoranda, including ending wasteful DEI initiatives and defunding DEI offices at federal agencies.
  • Reducing spending on reckless climate change efforts.
  • Supporting the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring program.
  • Increasing funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring program.

Statistics:

  • The FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act allocates a total discretionary budget of $76.824 billion.
  • This represents a 2.8 percent decrease from the fiscal year 2025 enacted level.
  • The bill directs funding to support the fight against fentanyl, boosts funding for state and local law enforcement, and invests in efforts to counter the Communist Republic of China.
  • The bill maintains strong support for law enforcement by preserving robust funding for Byrne JAG formula grants and COPS Hiring grants.
  • The bill increases funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring program by $460,896,000 above the FY25 enacted level.

Sources:

  • Hal Rogers, "Committee Approves FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act," September 10, 2023.
  • "House Appropriations Committee Markup of FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act," September 10, 2023.
  • "Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act," [no date provided].