Senate Passes FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act with Bipartisan Support

Strategic Insights -

The US Senate passed the FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act by an 81-15 vote, marking a significant bipartisan victory. The bill, championed by Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Chair of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, provides $7.1 billion in discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies. This includes $2.2 billion for the US House of Representatives, supporting the physical and cyber security, technology infrastructure, and overall legislative work capacity of Congress.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill provides $7.1 billion in discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies, including $2.2 billion for the US House of Representatives.
  • The funding will support the physical and cyber security, technology infrastructure, and overall legislative work capacity of Congress.
  • The bill includes $855 million for the US Capitol Police to support mission-critical requirements, including hiring sworn officers and expanding resources for protective and intelligence operations.
  • The Congressional Budget Office will receive $71 million to expand transparency efforts and responsiveness to Congressional requests.
  • The Architect of the Capitol 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 will receive $812 million to support oversight of federal expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
  • The bill retains provisions prohibiting the acquisition of telecommunications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporation and the purchase of drones manufactured in China by USCP and AOC.

Statistics:

  • 81-15: The bipartisan vote by which the Senate passed the FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.
  • $7.1 billion: The amount of discretionary funding provided for legislative branch agencies.
  • $2.2 billion: The amount of funding provided for the US House of Representatives.
  • $855 million: The amount of funding provided for the US Capitol Police.
  • 71 million: The amount of funding provided for the Congressional Budget Office.
  • 698 million: The amount of funding provided for the Architect of the Capitol.

Sources:

  • Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, Senator Markwayne Mullin's Office
  • Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Susan Collins' Office
  • Senate Passes Chairman Mullin's FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, Senator Markwayne Mullin's Office