The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, which focuses on physical and cyber security, technology infrastructure, and legislative work capacity. The bill was passed with a vote of 26-1.
The act allocates $7.1 billion in discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies, alongside $2.2 billion for the U.S. House of Representatives.
"This bill provides funding to support the men and women of the Capitol Police who work hard every day to keep the Capitol complex safe," stated Senator Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee. She also emphasized resources that aid Congress in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities and support for agencies like the Government Accountability Office and Library of Congress.
Senator Mullin, Chair of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, noted, "The brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms work tirelessly every day to protect us as well as the millions of visitors."
Key allocations include $1.47 billion for the U.S. Senate's legislative and oversight capacity, $855 million for critical requirements of the U.S. Capitol Police including hiring officers and enhancing protective operations, and $71 million for expanding transparency efforts by the Congressional Budget Office.
Other significant funding includes $698 million for maintenance by Architect of the Capitol, $852 million for Library of Congress activities including services for disabled individuals, and $812 million to support GAO's federal expenditure oversight.
Security enhancements are part of additional funding aimed at addressing safety concerns through Member security enhancements by Senate Sergeant at Arms and USCP.
The bill retains provisions prohibiting acquiring telecommunications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporation and purchasing drones manufactured in China by USCP and AOC.
