Congress Blocks Federal Employee Pay Raise, Bans Chinese Tech, and Protects Marriage Beliefs in 2026 Funding Bill

The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026 is the annual spending bill that keeps Congress and its related agencies—like the Library of Congress, the Capitol Police, and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—running. While most of the bill is dedicated to funding operations (a cool $1.98 billion for the House alone), this one comes loaded with policy riders that hit regular folks and government operations in some unexpected places.

The Budget Bump: Keeping the Lights On

First, the basics: this bill sets the operating budget for the entire legislative branch for the 2026 fiscal year. For the House of Representatives, that means a total of $1,984,315,000 for salaries, committees, and general expenses. A big chunk of that goes to Member Representational Allowances ($850,000,000), which is how your local Representative pays staff and keeps their district office open. If you’re a Congressional staffer, this money ensures your paycheck, but it also includes a massive $20.6 million for House intern pay, suggesting a continued commitment to paying the people who previously worked for free.

The Pay Freeze: Hitting Federal Employee Wallets

Here’s the first big policy change that impacts a lot of people: Section 214 explicitly blocks the scheduled 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for federal employees whose pay is adjusted under a specific law (section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946). This isn't a small thing. For thousands of federal workers and those supporting the legislative branch, this means their scheduled raise—which helps keep pace with inflation—is simply canceled for the year. If you’re a government worker balancing rising grocery and rent costs, this provision means your budget just got tighter, regardless of what the rest of the economy is doing.

The Tech Tussle: Blocking China in Congressional Offices

In a move focused on security, Section 115 bans the use of any funds in this bill to buy “covered information technology equipment”—think computers, printers, or video conferencing gear—from companies on specific government watchlists linked to China. This includes companies on the Department of Defense’s Chinese Military Company List or the Department of Homeland Security’s Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. This means that if you’re a tech contractor or supplier for the House, you need to check your supply chain carefully. For the average user, this means the hardware running Congress will be vetted against national security concerns, potentially increasing the cost of equipment but aiming to secure government data.

The Culture Clause: Restricting Workplace Training

Another significant rider, Section 211, prohibits the use of funds for any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training or implementation if that program promotes what the bill calls “divisive concepts” related to race or sex. This includes any training suggesting one race or sex is inherently superior to another, or that a person’s moral worth is determined by their race or sex. While the bill aims to stop discriminatory training, the term “divisive concepts” is often subjective. If you work in government or for a contractor, this could significantly change or halt mandatory workplace training programs, potentially creating confusion about what is or isn't allowed under the new funding rules.

The Marriage Shield: Protection for Religious Views

Section 212 introduces a broad protection against federal action for individuals or groups who sincerely believe that marriage should only be between one man and one woman. This means the federal government cannot take “discriminatory action” against them—such as denying tax-exempt status, withholding grants, or denying federal employment—based solely on that belief. This protection is comprehensive, covering everything from tax status to access to federal property. For individuals and organizations holding this view, this provision offers a legal shield against adverse federal consequences, but it raises questions about how this protection intersects with existing federal non-discrimination policies in areas like employment and services.

Capitol Security and Infrastructure

Finally, the bill dedicates massive funding to keeping the Capitol complex running. The Capitol Police get $687 million for salaries and benefits, including a $15 million retention fund to keep experienced officers on the force. The Architect of the Capitol is allocated hundreds of millions for maintenance, including $123.6 million for House office buildings and $119.9 million for the Capitol Power Plant. This ensures the physical infrastructure that supports the entire government stays functional, from the lights in your Representative’s office to the steam heating the Supreme Court.