Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Plain Language Summary
# Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 - Plain Language Summary **What It Does:** This bill allocates federal funding for five major government departments and agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. It covers spending for the Department of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, State Department, and several related agencies. The bill also provides temporary funding (through February 13, 2026) for the Department of Homeland Security while Congress continues work on its full budget. Additionally, it extends various federal programs and authorities that were set to expire. **Who It Affects:** This legislation impacts millions of Americans by funding essential government services, including military operations, Social Security and Medicare administration, education programs, transportation infrastructure, housing assistance, and diplomatic operations.
Federal employees in these departments are also affected, as the bill determines their agencies' budgets and operations. **Current Status:** The bill has already been signed into law, so it is now in effect. This means the appropriations it provides are currently funding these federal departments and agencies. Congress still needs to complete the remaining seven appropriations bills for other federal departments to fully fund the entire government for FY2026.
CRS Official Summary
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 13, 2026. It also extends various expiring programs and authorities.Specifically, the bill includes 5 of the 12 regular FY2026 appropriations bills:the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026;the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026;the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026; andthe National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026.The departments, agencies, and activities funded in the bill includethe Department of Defense,the Department of Labor,the Department of Health and Human Services,the Department of Education,the Department of Transportation,the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the Treasury,the Executive Office of the President,the judiciary,the District of Columbia,the Department of State and related programs,the administration and oversight of foreign assistance programs, bilateral economic assistance,international security assistance,multilateral assistance,export and investment assistance, andseveral related and independent agencies.In addition, the bill includes a continuing resolution (CR) that provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to DHS through the earlier of February 13, 2026, or the enactment of the DHS appropriations act. The CR funds most DHS programs and activities at the FY2025 levels.The bill also extends several expiring programs and authorities, includingthe U.S. Grain Standards Act;the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s whistleblower program;the National Flood Insurance Program;the Forest Service's participation in the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program;the Transportation Security Administration’s Reimbursable Screening Services Program;the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee;several authorities and programs related to cybersecurity;the technology modernization fund and board;the U.S. Parole Commission;the special assessment on nonindigent persons or entities convicted of certain offenses involving sexual abuse or human trafficking;several immigration-related programs and authorities;the authority for the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate certain guidelines or amendments related to the use of unmanned aircraft; certain bankruptcy fees;trade preferences for Haiti and countries in sub-Saharan Africa;the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; andseveral health care authorities and programs.
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-75.