Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water; Interior Appropriations Act
Jan 23, 2026
Jan 23, 2026
Summary
Sets the budget for many government agencies for fiscal year 2026, including those dealing with trade, law enforcement, science, energy, and the environment.
What problem does this solve?
Many parts of the federal government require funding to operate for the 2026 fiscal year. This law provides that money, allowing agencies to continue their work and preventing a partial government shutdown.
Who does this affect?
- Federal government agencies and employees
- State, local, and tribal governments
- Scientific and research institutions
- Government contractors
What does this law do?
Funds federal law enforcement agencies
Provides over $10.6 billion for the FBI, $2.58 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration, and $1.58 billion for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Provides grants to state and local law enforcement
Allocates $2.4 billion for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance and $800 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs, including grants for hiring officers and buying equipment.
Funds space exploration and science
Appropriates over $7.7 billion for NASA's exploration programs, including the Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle, and $7.25 billion for science missions.
Funds national security and nuclear weapons programs
Provides over $20.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration's weapons activities and $2.3 billion for defense nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
Funds water infrastructure projects
Allocates over $3.1 billion for Army Corps of Engineers construction projects and provides capitalization grants for State Revolving Funds for clean water and drinking water infrastructure.
Prohibits transfer of Guantanamo detainees
Blocks any funds from being used to transfer or release Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee from the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States.
Restricts NASA collaboration with China
Prohibits NASA and the Office of Science and Technology Policy from using funds to collaborate with China or any Chinese-owned company unless specifically authorized by a new law.
Blocks listing of sage-grouse as endangered
Prevents the Secretary of the Interior from using any funds to write or issue a proposed rule to list the greater sage-grouse or its Columbia basin population segment under the Endangered Species Act.
Protects state medical marijuana laws
Prevents the Department of Justice from using funds to stop numerous states and territories from implementing their own laws that authorize the use, distribution, or cultivation of medical marijuana.
Takes back previously approved funding
Permanently rescinds hundreds of millions of dollars in unobligated funds from the Departments of Commerce and Justice that were approved in previous years.
Funds Indian Health Service
Provides advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service, with over $4.7 billion becoming available on October 1, 2026, to ensure continuity of care.
What is the real world impact?
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Funds the essential operations of the government
Provides the necessary budget for major federal departments to continue their work for the fiscal year, from law enforcement and scientific research to environmental protection and managing public lands.
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Combines funding for many unrelated agencies
Bundles many different government budgets into one large bill. This makes it harder to debate individual spending items and puts pressure on Congress to pass it to avoid a government shutdown.
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Restricts government actions on controversial topics
Uses the power of funding to control agency actions. For example, it blocks funds for transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees and prevents the Department of the Interior from listing the sage-grouse as an endangered species.
When does this start?
Provides funding for the federal government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Many funds remain available for multiple years or until they are spent.