Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
Legislative Progress
Plain English Summary
AI-generatedPlain-English Summary
This law provides the official government funding for several major federal departments and agencies for the 2026 fiscal year. Specifically, it covers three broad areas of the federal government: (1) Commerce, Justice, and Science — which includes agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, NASA, and the Census Bureau; (2) Energy and Water Development — which covers the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear programs; and (3) Interior and Environment — which funds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Interior, and programs managing public lands and natural resources.
In practical terms, this law determines how much money each of these agencies receives to operate, hire staff, run programs, and carry out their missions throughout the year. For example, it affects funding for law enforcement and federal courts, scientific research and space exploration, water infrastructure projects, environmental protection efforts, and management of national parks and federal lands.
This legislation touches the lives of nearly all Americans in some way. It influences whether federal courts can process cases efficiently, how well national parks are maintained, the pace of scientific and medical research, the upkeep of dams and water systems, and the enforcement of environmental regulations. Communities near federal lands, researchers relying on grants, businesses regulated by these agencies, and local governments receiving federal support are among those most directly affected.
The bill has completed the full legislative process — passing Congress and being signed into law by the President — and is now officially Public Law No. 119-74.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-74.
January 23, 2026
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Committees
Legislative History
Signed by President.
Jan 23, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-74.
Jan 23, 2026Signed by President.
Jan 23, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-74.
Jan 23, 2026Presented to President.
Jan 22, 2026Presented to President.
Jan 22, 2026Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 15, 2026Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 15. Record Vote Number: 11.
Jan 15, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 15. Record Vote Number: 11.
Jan 15, 2026Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4210) fell when cloture on the motion was invoked in Senate.
Jan 15, 2026Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 14. Record Vote Number: 10. (CR S230)
Jan 15, 2026Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S227-249)
Jan 15, 2026Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185-218)
Jan 14, 2026Measure laid before Senate by motion.
Jan 13, 2026Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S141-143, S157)
Jan 13, 2026Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
Jan 13, 2026Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.
Jan 13, 2026Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4210) made in Senate.
Jan 13, 2026Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 13. Record Vote Number: 7. (CR S128)
Jan 12, 2026Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S121-128)
Jan 12, 2026On Retaining Divisions B and C Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 419 - 6 (Roll no. 6).
Jan 8, 2026Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S119)
Jan 8, 2026Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S119)
Jan 8, 2026Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 299.
Jan 8, 2026Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Legislative Day January 7, 2026).
Jan 8, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 8, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 397 - 28 (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H151-199)
Jan 8, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 397 - 28 (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H151-199)
Jan 8, 2026Mr. Cole moved On Retaining Divisions B and C.
Jan 8, 2026On Retaining Division A Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 375 - 47 (Roll no. 5).
Jan 8, 2026Mr. Cole moved On Retaining Division A.
Jan 8, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H209-211)
Jan 8, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on retaining Division A of H.R. 6938 and pursuant to H. Res. 977 the yeas and nays were ordered. The Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Jan 8, 2026Pursuant to section 4(a) of H. Res. 977, the Chair will put the question on retaining Division A of the bill, and then retaining Divisions B and C.
Jan 8, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jan 8, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6938.
Jan 8, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184 and H.R. 6938. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184, and H.R. 6938 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jan 8, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 977. (consideration: CR H151-205)
Jan 8, 2026UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST - Mr. Cole asked unanimous consent that the question of retaining a portion of the bill on H.R. 6938 may be subject to postponement, as though under clause 8 of rule 20. Agreed to without objection.
Jan 8, 2026Rule H. Res. 977 passed House.
Jan 7, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 977 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184 and H.R. 6938. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184, and H.R. 6938 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jan 7, 2026Introduced in House
Jan 6, 2026Introduced in House
Jan 6, 2026Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 6, 2026Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 6, 2026