House · HR 6938 · 119th Congress
Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
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Summary
This bill funds three large groups of federal agencies for fiscal year 2026. It covers the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and Energy, plus NASA, the EPA, the Forest Service, and others. The money goes toward law enforcement, science research, energy programs, public lands, and environmental protection.
In Favor
This bill keeps critical federal agencies running for a full year. Without it, programs like the FBI, NASA, the Indian Health Service, and wildfire fighting would face serious disruptions. Stable, multi-agency funding allows long-term planning and avoids the waste that comes from short-term temporary spending bills.
Against
This bill bundles three separate spending bills into one large package, which limits debate on each agency's budget. Congress must accept or reject billions in spending with little room to adjust individual programs. Lawmakers who object to specific items, like EPA rules or Justice Department priorities, have almost no way to change them.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill funds three sets of federal agencies for fiscal year 2026: those handling commerce, justice, and science; energy and water development; and Interior Department and environmental programs. It targets the ongoing cost of running these agencies and their programs.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill covers commerce, law enforcement, science, energy, water, public lands, and environment spending. It also includes specific add-ons such as rules on Guantanamo detainees, firearms export exemptions to Canada, and restrictions on medical marijuana enforcement, which go beyond basic agency funding.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Federal agencies and their employees receive operating funds. States, tribes, and local governments receive grants for water, law enforcement, wildlife, and land programs. Businesses face inspection fees and compliance requirements. Offshore oil and gas operators pay tiered inspection fees set by the bill.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill appropriates funds across three major divisions. Selected examples include $582,000,000 for international trade operations, $10,609,456,000 for the FBI, $8,400,000,000 for Department of Energy science, and $4,409,609,000 for state and tribal environmental grants. These are authorized appropriation amounts, not independently verified total costs.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires dozens of agencies to submit spending plans, quarterly reports, and reprogramming notifications within set deadlines. Agencies that cannot meet those deadlines or that lack updated accounting systems may face delays in obligating funds or completing required oversight steps.
Major Provisions by Title
DIVISION A--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026
Division A funds the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, and related science agencies for fiscal year 2026. It sets specific dollar amounts for agencies like NOAA, the FBI, the Census Bureau, and federal prisons, and it includes rules about how money can be moved between accounts. It also places restrictions on certain activities, such as limiting gun disability relief investigations and requiring the National Weather Service to maintain enough staff to protect life and property.
DIVISION B--ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026
This division funds the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Energy for fiscal year 2026. It sets specific dollar amounts for building and maintaining water infrastructure, flood control, energy research, nuclear weapons programs, and environmental cleanup. It also sets rules on how agencies can move money between programs and requires reports to Congress on spending.
DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026
This division funds the Department of the Interior and related agencies for fiscal year 2026. It provides money for agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The funding covers land management, wildlife conservation, park operations, environmental enforcement, and Indian education and trust programs.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/6/2026