DOJ Gets $1.8B for Local Police, FBI Lands $10.6B: Congress Sets Federal Science and Justice Budgets for 2026

This massive piece of legislation, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, is essentially the federal checkbook for everything from weather satellites to the FBI. It sets the exact spending limits for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and the National Science Foundation, doling out billions of dollars with specific rules attached to nearly every line item. If you’re paying attention to the federal government, this bill dictates who gets paid, what projects get built, and how policy gets enforced for the next year.

The Justice Department’s Big Check

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is getting a huge budget, with over $1.8 billion set aside for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance programs alone. This includes $569 million for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, which is the federal government’s main way of funding local police. If your city or state police department is looking to hire more officers, buy new equipment, or run drug courts, this is where that money comes from. The bill also dedicates $418 million to fighting the opioid crisis, funding everything from drug courts to treatment programs for state prisoners, showing a clear focus on both enforcement and recovery.

Crucially, the bill mandates that $409.4 million of the Federal Prison System’s $8.3 billion budget must go toward programs authorized by the First Step Act of 2018, dedicating significant resources to reducing recidivism and helping inmates re-enter society. For those working in the legal system, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (immigration courts) receives $804 million, with at least $29 million earmarked specifically for the Legal Orientation Program, helping non-citizens navigate complex legal proceedings.

Science, Satellites, and Space Exploration

On the science side, the bill is a boon for research. NASA receives over $21 billion across its divisions, with $7.7 billion dedicated to exploration and $4.3 billion for space operations. This is the money that keeps the International Space Station running and funds the next generation of space exploration. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is allocated $7.1 billion for research and related activities, with a focus on education and workforce development, including $1 billion for STEM education programs.

If you work in manufacturing or technology, the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) gets $1.06 billion for its operations and facilities. This includes $175 million for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt new technologies and improve efficiency. This funding aims to keep U.S. manufacturing competitive and innovative.

Policy Riders That Affect Your Daily Life

Beyond the raw numbers, this bill contains several policy restrictions that could directly impact regular folks. For instance, the bill prohibits funding for any IT system purchase over $100 million unless it undergoes a rigorous, FBI-vetted supply chain risk assessment. This is a direct response to national security concerns and means that if you work for a federal contractor, the security requirements for your products just got a lot tighter, especially if they involve foreign-made components.

Furthermore, the bill includes a ban on using any funds to investigate or prosecute parents for peacefully protesting at school board meetings, provided they aren’t suspected of committing any other crime. This provision is a clear reaction to recent political tensions and aims to protect free speech in local governance. If you’ve ever considered speaking up at a local meeting, this bill reinforces that your voice is protected from federal scrutiny.

The Fine Print on Accountability and Rescissions

This bill demands significant transparency, requiring agencies to provide quarterly reports on their unspent funds, broken down by the year the money was originally appropriated. This is Congress trying to clamp down on federal agencies hoarding money. In fact, the bill permanently cancels (rescinds) over $300 million in unspent funds from previous years across the Commerce and Justice Departments, including $125 million from the Office of Justice Programs alone.

For federal contractors, there’s a new rule with teeth: none of this money can be used to pay a bonus or incentive fee to a contractor whose performance was rated as “below satisfactory.” If a company fails to deliver, they won't get a taxpayer-funded reward. This is a welcome measure of accountability for anyone who has seen their tax dollars wasted on government projects that missed the mark.

Finally, the bill includes a restriction on the Department of Justice and the DEA from using these funds to interfere with state or territorial laws that allow the use, distribution, or cultivation of medical marijuana. This continuation of existing policy provides a crucial shield for medical cannabis programs in all 50 states, ensuring federal funds aren't used to undermine local legal frameworks.