Reports
House Committee on Appropriations “Subcommittee Markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill.”
Introduction
- The House Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total of $76.824 billion in discretionary allocation (a 2.8% decrease compared to FY2025 total spending). $6.234 billion of total spending is dedicated to the defense portion, while $70.590 billion goes to the non-defense portion. A summary of the bill is available here.
- Non-defense spending includes funding towards the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the National Space Council (NSC).
- The bill provides $5.795 billion to NOAA, a $387.453 million (6%) decrease from FY25 levels.
- OSTP receives $7.965 million, which is equal to the FY25 level.
- NSC receives $1.965 million, which is equal to the FY25 level.
- The bill provides NASA $24.838 billion, which is equal to the FY25 level.
- The bill gives $7 billion to NSF, which is $2.06 billion (23%) below the FY25 level.
Key Highlights
- The bill was favorably passed out of committee by voice vote with 9 yeas and 6 nays. No amendments were offered or made.
- Minority members raised concerns over the bill’s defunding of NSF, which will impede on American leadership in scientific research, STEM education, and space exploration.
Opening Statements
Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK)
Chairman Cole presents the appropriations bill as a product that saves taxpayer money, reduces waste, and protects Americans’ constitutional rights. While the bill covers trade, law enforcement, and gun safety, Cole believes the bill will fund NASA’s space exploration projects and puts the United States well ahead of the People’s Republic of China.
Subcommittee Chair Hal Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. Rogers introduces the bill as legislation that protects the 2nd Amendment, prioritizing funding for state and local police, targeting fentanyl and drug trafficking, and “right-sizing” the federal government. On science funding, the bill funds the National Weather Service and other NOAA units to protect American communities. Rogers ended his statement by thanking his Republican and Democratic colleagues for their partnership.
Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Rep. DeLauro expresses her opposition to the bill, underscoring the defunding of a wide range of agencies including the International Trade Administration (ITA), Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and NOAA. She explained extensively the ramifications of defunding NOAA and firing NOAA meteorologists and scientists. In addition to putting American families at risk to weather disasters, NOAA defunding ensures U.S. adversaries stay ahead in science and education.
Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Meng (D-NY)
Rep. Meng targets the bill’s divestment in critical agencies focused on science and space exploration. The two billion cuts from NSF ends STEM education programs that bring in the next generation of scientists. NASA’s $1.3 billion cuts halt climate science and space exploration programs which drive economic competitiveness and technological leadership. Meng also highlights cuts to the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) which undermine development in technologies like quantum and artificial intelligence.