Budget & Taxes (Appropriations)

HR 2753, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act of 2025, is a procedural bill that would prevent Congress from using budget reconciliation to cut Medicaid or SNAP benefits. It amends the Congressional Budget Act to block reconciliation bills or amendments that reduce Medicaid enrollment/benefits (under Social Security Act Title XIX) or SNAP eligibility/benefits (under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008). This rule would apply until January 20, 2029, and only affects the budget reconciliation process, not the programs themselves. The bill does not change current benefit levels or eligibility rules for Medicaid or SNAP recipients.

HR 3141, the CFPB Budget Integrity Act, limits the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) leftover funds. It requires the CFPB to keep unobligated balances below 5% of its annual appropriation, transferring any excess to the Treasury general fund. The bill also adds a reporting requirement for the CFPB to describe how it uses any unobligated balances. This bill directly affects the CFPB's budget management practices, not consumer financial protections. It is a procedural budget rule change with no direct impact on consumers or financial institutions.

# Summary of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This comprehensive appropriations bill allocates funding for the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and several related agencies for fiscal year 2026. ## Key Funding Areas 1. **Department of Transportation**: Includes funding for transportation infrastructure, safety programs, and related initiatives. 2. **Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)**: - Tenant-based rental assistance (Section 8) - Public housing operating and capital funds - Lead hazard reduction programs - Fair housing activities - Homeless assistance grants - Community development programs - Healthy homes initiatives 3. **Related Agencies**: Funding for the Access Board, Federal Maritime Commission, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), National Transportation Safety Board, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, and Surface Transportation Board. ## Major Restrictions and Provisions 1. **Funding Restrictions**: - No funds may be used for certain types of training (e.g., training inducing emotional stress, religious content, or designed to change personal values) - No funds for first-class airline travel in contravention of federal regulations - No funds for certain projects (e.g., no funds to support projects using eminent domain for private economic development) - No funds to facilitate new scheduled air transportation to Cuban Government-confiscated property 2. **Reporting Requirements**: - Quarterly reports to Congress on uncommitted, unobligated, recaptured, and excess funds - Semi-annual reports on properties with failing physical inspections 3. **Fund Transfer Rules**: - Strict limitations on reprogramming funds without Congressional approval - Restrictions on transferring funds between accounts (e.g., no more than 10% or $5 million transfer between offices) - Specific rules for transfer of funds to the Information Technology Fund 4. **Other Significant Provisions**: - Restrictions on using funds for certain types of litigation - Requirements for transparency in consulting services - Limits on using funds for executive-legislative activities - Prohibitions on using funds for certain types of contracts (e.g., "HAP Contract Support Services" solicitation) The bill contains numerous specific restrictions on how funds may be used, with over 100 provisions detailing what the funds cannot be used for, reflecting a strong emphasis on fiscal responsibility and program accountability.

HR 3906, the Medical Research for Our Troops Act, restores funding levels for military medical research by increasing the Defense Health Agency's research budget from $40.395 billion to $41.576 billion in the 2025 appropriations act. It ensures Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs funds are used consistently with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, requiring the Defense Secretary to support all previously identified research programs and maintain existing funding allocations. The bill directly affects military medical research initiatives and the Defense Health Agency's budget implementation. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy, maintaining continuity for ongoing research projects.

The Forgotten Funds Act permanently rescinds unobligated discretionary funds from fiscal years 2021 and prior, directing these amounts to the Treasury's general fund specifically for deficit reduction. This affects federal agencies that held unused budget allocations, requiring them to return the unspent money rather than carry it forward. The bill makes no new program changes but redirects existing, uncommitted funds toward reducing the federal deficit.

HR 3558, the Veteran Jobs Training Act, increases funding for programs helping homeless veterans reintegrate into the workforce. It amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to authorize $75 million annually for fiscal years 2024 and beyond for homeless veterans' reintegration programs, replacing previous language that only covered 2024. This direct funding increase affects homeless veterans seeking employment assistance through federal programs. The bill’s key provision is the specific annual appropriation amount, ensuring sustained financial support for these services. It does not create new programs but expands existing funding mechanisms.

The LEDGER Act (HR 4091) requires the Treasury Department to create a system tracking every government payment within 180 days of enactment. It mandates that all federal departments, agencies, and branches (executive, legislative, judicial) must report disbursements from every funding source, including how long funds remain available for spending. This system will detail each payment's origin, recipient, and timing across all government accounts. The bill directly affects all federal spending entities by standardizing expenditure tracking previously handled inconsistently.

HR 4230, the Appropriations Compliance and Training Act, requires federal employees in high-level roles - including those at GS-11 or higher, political appointees, and Senior Executive Service positions - to complete annual training on federal appropriations law. The training must cover key topics like the Antideficiency Act, the Purpose Statute, proper fund usage, and penalties for violations, and must be approved by the Office of Management and Budget. Noncompliance results in loss of financial decision-making authority and IT access until training is completed, with agencies required to report compliance statistics annually and publish them publicly. This bill directly affects over 100,000 federal employees in covered positions by mandating standardized training to ensure proper handling of government funds.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve transparency and accountability for disaster loans. It mandates monthly reports detailing loan funding status, new budget requests with historical cost comparisons, and strict limits on loan obligations when funds fall below 10% of a 10-year average. The bill also requires GAO and SBA Inspector General reviews of funding shortfalls, cost impacts of recent policy changes, and enhanced forecasting for disaster loan budgets. These provisions directly affect the SBA’s operations and its reporting to Congress, aiming to prevent future funding crises through better data and oversight.

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities. (The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all included in other appropriations bills.) Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; and Revolving and Management Funds. The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, including the Defense Health Program, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Related Agencies, including (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund, and (2) the Intelligence Community Management Account. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.