Full Committee Markup: Shaping the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Budget - June 26, 2025

The Full Committee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Bill was conducted by the House Committee on Appropriations to review and finalize the proposed legislation for the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. The markup was part of a broader schedule of appropriations activities and took place alongside considerations of updated interim subcommittee allocations. The bill itself, as released by the House Appropriations Committee on June 22, 2025, provides a total discretionary allocation of $6.7 billion, which is $51 million below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level and over $1.3 billion below the Fiscal Year 2026 request.
Key aspects of the bill include:
Funding Priorities: The bill emphasizes responsible investments to support core democratic functions, congressional oversight, and accountability. It prioritizes the safety and security of the U.S. Capitol complex, including enhanced resources for the House Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police to protect constituents, staff, and members both at the Capitol and during in-district proceedings.
Budget Reductions: Excluding Senate items, the bill allocates $5 billion, a 5.3% decrease from the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted House level, reflecting efforts to make responsible funding cuts. Notably, it reduces funding for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) by 48%, which has been criticized by some as undermining the agency’s ability to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse. The Library of Congress also faces a 10% cut.
Specific Provisions: The bill includes measures such as:
Prohibiting the purchase of drones manufactured in or affiliated with the People’s Republic of China, except for national security purposes.
Requiring unspent Members’ Representational Allowances (MRA) to be redirected toward debt and deficit reduction.
Restricting incentive or award payments to contractors for delayed or over-budget projects.
Prohibiting funds for maintaining private vehicles.
Maintaining restrictions on computer networks that do not block pornography.
Eliminating the requirement for Members to use “low greenhouse gas emitting vehicles” for leased vehicles paid with MRA.
Controversial Riders: The bill contains provisions criticized as divisive, particularly for targeting minority rights and reducing GAO’s capacity to conduct investigations, including nearly 40 open probes into potential illegal withholding of appropriated funds by the White House.
Bipartisan Efforts: The bill incorporated a record number of requests from both sides of the aisle, indicating some level of bipartisan collaboration, as noted by Chairman David Valadao and Chairman Tom Cole.
The markup session was a critical step in advancing the bill, which was approved by the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on June 24, 2025, before moving to the full committee for further consideration. Chairman Tom Cole emphasized that the bill reflects a commitment to serving the American people through targeted investments while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. However, Ranking Member Adriano Espaillat expressed concerns over the funding cuts and the inclusion of divisive riders, arguing they undermine key agencies and protections.