Skip to content
Congress·Reported·8 months ago

Senate Committee Advances Science Appropriations Act, 2026 With $25B for NASA, Justice Funding

Also known as: Science Appropriations Act, 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill provides billions of dollars for the Department of Justice to run the FBI, the DEA, and federal prisons. It also includes hundreds of millions in grants for local police departments to hire more officers, buy body cameras, and improve school safety. A large portion of the money is set aside to help victims of domestic violence and to fight the opioid crisis.
  • NASA would receive over $25 billion to continue its work on space exploration, including the development of nuclear-powered rockets and missions to the moon. The National Science Foundation would also get funding for scientific research and programs that help students learn math and science, which helps the country stay competitive in technology and engineering.
  • The Department of Commerce would use its funds to manage the Census, protect the environment through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and support American businesses. This includes money for weather satellites to improve forecasts and grants to help rural areas and poor counties grow their local economies.
  • The plan includes $566 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides free legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer for civil cases. It also funds the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate workplace discrimination and the Commission on Civil Rights to protect the voting and legal rights of all Americans.
  • The bill includes several specific rules, such as preventing the government from interfering with state medical marijuana laws and banning NASA from working with China on space projects. It also sets aside special funding to help the U.S. manufacture more computer chips, reducing the country's reliance on foreign technology.
Criminal JusticeTechnology DigitalEnergy EnvironmentEconomy FinanceCivil Rights

Milestones

1 milestone3 actions
Jul 17, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 122.

Jul 17, 2025Senate

Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Moran. With written report No. 119-44.

Jul 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

45 days after enactment

Agencies must submit detailed spending plans within 45 days of enactment

This is when we'd learn exactly how the money will be divided among programs, which determines when grant applications open and funds start flowing to communities.

90 days after enactment

Grant notices for state and local law enforcement programs must be publicly posted within 90 days

Local police departments, victim service organizations, and community groups could start applying for hundreds of millions in grants for body cameras, school safety, anti-violence programs, and opioid response.

2026-09-30

All state and local law enforcement grants must be awarded by September 30, 2026

Nearly $2 billion in grants for community policing, violence prevention, school safety, drug courts, and victim services must reach local communities by the end of the fiscal year.

Related News

1 article
Astronomy Magazine·about 2 months ago

Congress passes NASA budget, rejects Trump cuts

Congress has passed an appropriations bill funding NASA at $24.4 billion for FY 2026, rejecting the 24% cut proposed by the Trump administration. The bill restores critical science missions and supports the Artemis program's goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2028.

+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill NumberS 2354
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 122.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.