# Summary of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026
This Act provides funding for various federal agencies and departments under the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations category for fiscal year 2026. The legislation contains over 750 sections with detailed provisions governing how funds may be used, restrictions on certain activities, and requirements for transparency and reporting.
Key provisions include:
1. **Restrictions on Healthcare Coverage**: Prohibits funds for gender-affirming care in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program (Section 761) and limits abortion coverage except in cases where the mother's life is endangered or the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (Sections 809, 818).
2. **Executive Compensation Limits**: Imposes restrictions on pay increases for senior executive positions, including Executive Schedule positions (Sections 737-746), with specific provisions preventing pay rate increases for certain positions during calendar year 2026.
3. **District of Columbia Provisions**: Contains numerous restrictions on how District of Columbia funds may be spent, including prohibitions on:
- Enforcing certain abortion-related laws (Section 818)
- Implementing certain voting rights or criminal justice reforms (Sections 825, 827)
- Legalizing recreational marijuana (Section 830)
- Enforcing certain environmental regulations (Section 821)
4. **Prohibitions on Certain Activities**:
- Bans implementation of certain executive orders related to voting access (Section 756)
- Prohibits funds for vaccine or mask mandates (Section 757)
- Restricts funding for entities that engage in "fact-checking" or credibility rating of news outlets (Section 758)
- Prohibits funding for certain types of research or medical procedures
5. **Transparency Requirements**: Mandates detailed reporting on conference costs, travel expenses, and other expenditures (Section 738).
The Act serves as a comprehensive funding measure for financial services and general government operations while embedding numerous policy restrictions on how those funds may be used across federal agencies and the District of Columbia.
HR 5568, the "Funding Small Businesses During Shutdown Act," ensures certain Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs continue during government shutdowns by appropriating specific funds from the Treasury. It allocates $500,000 for section 7(m) loans, $2.9 billion for section 7(a) loans, $1.25 billion for Small Business Investment Act loans, and $13.775 million for administrative costs related to section 7(m) loans. These funds cover salaries and expenses to maintain loan servicing during any 30-day shutdown period (or pro-rated for shorter lapses), directly affecting small businesses relying on SBA loans. The bill creates a targeted funding mechanism to prevent program interruptions without requiring new appropriations during shutdowns.
HR 5742 (BOPEN Act of 2025) ensures continuous funding for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff salaries during gaps in annual appropriations, specifically covering periods before fiscal year 2026 or 2027 budgets are finalized. It directly affects BOP employees by guaranteeing pay through temporary appropriations, excluding senior officials requiring presidential appointment with Senate confirmation. The bill’s key mechanism is authorizing funds from general Treasury reserves to prevent payment disruptions during federal budget transitions. This is a procedural funding measure with no direct impact on inmates or public policy.
The Keep the Heat On Act of 2025 ensures low-income households continue receiving home energy assistance during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. It directs the use of unused Treasury funds to maintain the same payment rates for the home energy assistance program as in fiscal year 2025, preventing service interruptions. This applies specifically to any shutdown period during the 2026 fiscal year, guaranteeing consistent support for vulnerable families. The bill addresses a funding gap without altering existing program eligibility or requirements.
HR 5680, the "Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act," ensures continuous pay for civilian and military workers at public shipyards during budget gaps in fiscal years 2026 or 2027. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover their pay and allowances if regular appropriations bills aren't enacted before the start of those fiscal years. The funding expires no later than January 1, 2027, or when regular appropriations are passed, whichever comes first. This bill directly affects shipyard workers whose pay would otherwise be interrupted during federal budget transitions.
This bill ensures continued pay for specific Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel and Coast Guard members during government shutdowns in fiscal years 2026-2027. It directly affects DHS law enforcement officers (including those in job series like 0083, 1801, and 1811), DHS administrative and payroll staff, and Coast Guard personnel. The bill authorizes emergency funding from the Treasury to cover their pay and allowances when regular appropriations are not in place. This funding expires on January 1, 2027, or earlier if Congress passes a new appropriations bill covering these costs.
# National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 - Summary
This comprehensive appropriations bill authorizes funding for U.S. diplomatic and national security programs for fiscal year 2026 with several notable funding allocations, restrictions, and policy directives.
## Key Funding Allocations
- **$94 million** for global Internet freedom programs
- **$160 million** for women's economic empowerment
- **$40 million** for the Madeleine K. Albright Women's Leadership Program
- **$200 million** for prevention of violence against women and girls
- **$120 million** for women, peace, and security initiatives
- **$737.6 million** for basic education (including secondary education)
- **$216.8 million** for higher education
- **$292.6 million** for biodiversity conservation
- **$768 million** for food security and agricultural development
- **$111 million** for activities to combat trafficking in persons
- **$300 million** for the Countering Russian Influence Fund
- **$1.7 billion** for the America First Opportunity Fund
## Major Restrictions and Prohibitions
1. **UN and International Organizations**:
- Prohibits funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
- Prohibits funding for the UN Human Rights Council
- Requires certification before funding UN entities
- Withholds 25% of UN contributions if Taiwan isn't granted observer status
2. **Geopolitical Restrictions**:
- Prohibits funding for the Russian Federation government
- Prohibits funding for countries supporting Russian annexation of Crimea
- Prohibits funding for countries recognizing independence of Russian-occupied Georgian territories
3. **Program Restrictions**:
- Prohibits funding for drag queen workshops, performances, or documentaries
- Prohibits funding for programs teaching concepts of systemic racism or sexism
- Prohibits funding for transgender-related medical procedures for minors
- Prohibits funding for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is endangered
- Prohibits funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology or related research
4. **Gaza and West Bank Oversight**:
- Requires certification of oversight policies to prevent funds from reaching Hamas
- Mandates third-party monitoring of aid to Gaza
- Requires regular reporting to Congress on aid usage
- Prohibits admission and resettlement of foreign nationals from Gaza
## Other Significant Provisions
- **Rescissions**: $4.3 billion in unobligated balances from previous appropriations are permanently rescinded
- **Spending Requirements**: Mandates specific spend plans for various programs
- **Anti-DEI Restrictions**: Prohibits funding for certain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
- **Human Rights**: Requires certification that all Department of State employees will receive anti-trafficking training
- **Environmental**: Prohibits funding for climate change programs that violate Executive Order 14162
This bill represents a comprehensive approach to U.S. foreign assistance with significant restrictions on funding for certain countries, programs, and activities, while emphasizing oversight for funds provided to Gaza and West Bank.
The Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025 automatically provides funding for most federal government programs if Congress fails to pass a full budget by the start of a new fiscal year. It sets initial funding at 94% of the previous year's level for 90 days, then reduces it by 1% every subsequent 90 days until a budget is approved. Programs like food assistance (under the Food and Nutrition Act) maintain full current funding, while other agencies face gradual cuts to prevent shutdowns. This ensures continuous government operations without requiring new legislation during budget delays.
HR 5552, the "Eliminate Shutdowns Act," would automatically continue federal funding for most government programs during a funding gap. If Congress fails to pass annual appropriations bills by the start of a fiscal year, the bill would automatically provide funding at the previous year's level for 14 days, extending in 14-day increments until a new funding bill is enacted. This applies to all federal programs except those specifically prohibited or covered by other laws, including maintaining current funding for entitlement programs like food assistance under the Food and Nutrition Act. The bill aims to prevent shutdowns by ensuring continuous operations without requiring new congressional action during the funding gap. It would take effect on September 30, 2025.
HR 6054, the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act of 2025, requires federal cancer research funding to allocate pediatric research dollars proportionally based on the U.S. child population. Specifically, for fiscal years 2026 and beyond, the percentage of cancer research funds dedicated to pediatric cancer must match the ratio of children under 18 to the total U.S. population, as determined by the Census Bureau. This directly affects how federal cancer research dollars are distributed, ensuring pediatric cancer research receives funding aligned with the proportion of young patients. The bill mandates this calculation annually, shifting funding allocation toward pediatric research without specifying new programs or budget increases.
