Sign in Subscribe
Legislative bills

Senate Passes FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act with $7.1 Billion in Discretionary Funding

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Senate has passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act with a vote of 81-15, providing $7.1 billion in discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies. The legislation includes support for physical and cyber security, technology infrastructure, and overall legislative work capacity of Congress. The bill provides significant funding for various entities, including the U.S. Capitol Police, Congressional Budget Office, Architect of the Capitol, Library of Congress, and Government Accountability Office. The legislation also includes provisions to enhance security measures and ban the acquisition of telecommunications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act provides $7.1 billion in discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies, when combined with funding for the U.S. House of Representatives ($2.2 billion).
  • The bill includes $1.47 billion to support legislative and oversight capacity and continue physical and cyber security initiatives in the U.S. Senate.
  • The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) will receive $855 million to support mission-critical requirements, including the hiring of sworn officers and expanded resources for protective and intelligence operations.
  • The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) will receive $71 million to expand transparency efforts and responsiveness to Congressional requests.
  • The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) will receive $698 million for the maintenance, preservation, and physical security of the Capitol complex.
  • The Library of Congress will receive $852 million, including $136 million for the Congressional Research Service and $66 million for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
  • The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will receive $812 million to support GAO's oversight of federal expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
  • The legislation includes provisions to enhance security measures, implement Member security enhancements, and ban the acquisition of Chinese drones and telecommunications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporation.

Statistics:

  • $7.1 billion: Discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies in FY 2026.
  • $1.47 billion: Funding for legislative and oversight capacity in the U.S. Senate.
  • $855 million: Funding for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) to support mission-critical requirements.
  • $71 million: Funding for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to expand transparency efforts.
  • $698 million: Funding for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to maintain, preserve, and secure the Capitol complex.
  • $852 million: Funding for the Library of Congress.
  • $136 million: Funding for the Congressional Research Service.
  • $66 million: Funding for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
  • $812 million: Funding for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to support oversight of federal expenditure.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. (2023). FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act."
  • "U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. (2023). Press Release: Senate Passes FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act."

Read more