Senate · HR 6938 · 119th Congress

Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026

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?

The bill funds three federal spending areas for fiscal year 2026: commerce and law enforcement agencies, energy and water projects, and public lands and environment programs. It covers departments and agencies including Justice, Energy, Interior, EPA, NASA, and the Forest Service.

Scope & Related Provisions

Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?

Most funding ties directly to the named departments and programs. The bill also includes several additions not tied to annual spending levels, such as changing attorney requirements for Legal Services Corporation boards, adjusting dam safety loan rules, and setting new pay rules for federal wildland firefighters.

Who Is Affected

Who benefits, and who bears the cost?

Federal agencies receive operating funds and must follow new rules. Grant recipients include states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofits. Offshore drilling operators must pay new inspection fees. Businesses applying to merge must continue paying Hart-Scott-Rodino filing fees to fund antitrust enforcement.

Cost & Funding

Is it affordable and responsibly funded?

The bill appropriates funds across three divisions. Selected amounts authorized include $10.6 billion for the FBI, $8.4 billion for Department of Energy science, $4.5 billion for NOAA operations, and $4.4 billion for EPA state and tribal grants. The USPTO and Antitrust Division are funded mainly through fees they collect, with general fund contributions estimated at zero dollars.

Risks & Implementation

What could go wrong in practice?

The bill transfers billions of dollars from prior unobligated balances to new purposes, which depends on those balances being available as expected. Many provisions require agencies to submit spending plans, reports, and notifications within tight deadlines, adding administrative work alongside normal program management.

Major Provisions by Title

DIVISION A--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026

This division funds the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, and related agencies for fiscal year 2026. It sets specific dollar amounts for agencies like NOAA, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Census Bureau, and the Federal Prison System. It also sets rules about how money can be moved between programs and what some funds must be spent on.

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 provides billions of dollars for water infrastructure projects like flood control, harbor maintenance, river navigation, and dam safety, as well as energy programs including nuclear weapons, renewable energy, and environmental cleanup. It also sets rules on how agencies can move money between programs and requires reports to Congress before major funding changes take effect.

DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026

This division provides funding for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for fiscal year 2026. It covers agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Indian Education. The money is used for managing public lands, protecting wildlife, operating national parks, conducting scientific research, and supporting tribal programs.

For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.

AI-generated · Published 6/6/2026