[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4249 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 144
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4249
[Report No. 119-178]
Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 30, 2025
Mr. Valadao, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported the
following bill; which was committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums
are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2026, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Payment to Widows and Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress
For payment to Ashley Paige Turner, heir of Sylvester Turner, late
a Representative from the State of Texas, $174,000.
For payment to Ramona Grijalva, widow of Raul M. Grijalva, late a
Representative from the State of Arizona, $174,000.
For payment to Catherine M. Smith, widow of Gerald E. Connolly,
late a Representative from the Commonwealth of Virginia, $174,000.
Salaries and Expenses
For salaries and expenses of the House of Representatives,
$1,984,315,000, as follows:
House Leadership Offices
For salaries and expenses, as authorized by law, $36,560,000,
including: Office of the Speaker, $10,499,000, including $35,000 for
official expenses of the Speaker; Office of the Majority Floor Leader,
$3,730,000, including $15,000 for official expenses of the Majority
Leader; Office of the Minority Floor Leader, $10,499,000, including
$17,500 for official expenses of the Minority Leader; Office of the
Majority Whip, including the Chief Deputy Majority Whip, $3,099,000,
including $5,000 for official expenses of the Majority Whip; Office of
the Minority Whip, including the Chief Deputy Minority Whip,
$2,809,000, including $5,000 for official expenses of the Minority
Whip; Republican Conference, $2,962,000; Democratic Caucus, $2,962,000:
Provided, That such amount for salaries and expenses shall remain
available from January 3, 2026 until January 2, 2027.
Members' Representational Allowances
including members' clerk hire, official expenses of members, and
official mail
For Members' representational allowances, including Members' clerk
hire, official expenses, and official mail, $850,000,000.
Allowance for Compensation of Interns in Member Offices
For the allowance established under section 120 of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act, 2019 (2 U.S.C. 5322a) for the compensation
of interns who serve in the offices of Members of the House of
Representatives, $20,638,800, to remain available from January 3, 2026
until January 2, 2027: Provided, That notwithstanding section 120(b)
of such Act, an office of a Member of the House of Representatives may
use not more than $46,800 of the allowance available under this heading
during legislative year 2026.
Allowance for Compensation of Interns in House Leadership Offices
For the allowance established under section 113 of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act, 2020 (2 U.S.C. 5106) for the compensation of
interns who serve in House leadership offices, $586,000, to remain
available from January 3, 2026 until January 2, 2027: Provided, That
of the amount provided under this heading, $322,300 shall be available
for the compensation of interns who serve in House leadership offices
of the majority, to be allocated among such offices by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, and $263,700 shall be available for the
compensation of interns who serve in House leadership offices of the
minority, to be allocated among such offices by the Minority Floor
Leader.
Allowance for Compensation of Interns in House Standing, Special and
Select Committee Offices
For the allowance established under section 113(a)(1) of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) for
the compensation of interns who serve in offices of standing, special,
and select committees (other than the Committee on Appropriations),
$2,600,000, to remain available from January 3, 2026 until January 2,
2027: Provided, That of the amount provided under this heading,
$1,300,000 shall be available for the compensation of interns who serve
in offices of the majority, and $1,300,000 shall be available for the
compensation of interns who serve in offices of the minority, to be
allocated among such offices by the Chair, in consultation with the
ranking minority member, of the Committee on House Administration.
Allowance for Compensation of Interns in House Appropriations Committee
Offices
For the allowance established under section 113(a)(2) of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) for
the compensation of interns who serve in offices of the Committee on
Appropriations, $463,000: Provided, That of the amount provided under
this heading, $231,500 shall be available for the compensation of
interns who serve in offices of the majority, and $231,500 shall be
available for the compensation of interns who serve in offices of the
minority, to be allocated among such offices by the Chair, in
consultation with the ranking minority member, of the Committee on
Appropriations.
Committee Employees
Standing Committees, Special and Select
For salaries and expenses of standing committees, special and
select, authorized by House resolutions, $184,787,000: Provided, That
such amount shall remain available for such salaries and expenses until
December 31, 2026, except that $10,000,000 of such amount shall remain
available until expended for committee room upgrading.
Committee on Appropriations
For salaries and expenses of the Committee on Appropriations,
$31,294,000, including studies and examinations of executive agencies
and temporary personal services for such committee, to be expended in
accordance with section 202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1946 and to be available for reimbursement to agencies for services
performed: Provided, That such amount shall remain available for such
salaries and expenses until December 31, 2026.
Salaries, Officers and Employees
For compensation and expenses of officers and employees, as
authorized by law, $361,603,000, including: for salaries and expenses
of the Office of the Clerk, including the positions of the Chaplain and
the Historian, and including not more than $25,000 for official
representation and reception expenses, of which not more than $20,000
is for the Family Room and not more than $2,000 is for the Office of
the Chaplain, $48,992,000, of which $10,791,000 shall remain available
until expended; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Sergeant
at Arms, including the position of Superintendent of Garages and the
Office of Emergency Management, and including not more than $3,000 for
official representation and reception expenses, $40,606,000, of which
$18,013,000 shall remain available until expended; for salaries and
expenses of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer including
not more than $3,000 for official representation and reception
expenses, $234,248,000, of which $39,772,000 shall remain available
until expended; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Whistleblower Ombuds, $1,250,000; for salaries and expenses of the
Office of the Inspector General, $6,227,000; for salaries and expenses
of the Office of General Counsel, $2,079,000; for salaries and expenses
of the Office of the Parliamentarian, including the Parliamentarian,
$2,000 for preparing the Digest of Rules, and not more than $1,000 for
official representation and reception expenses, $2,404,000; for
salaries and expenses of the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the
House, $4,998,000, of which $1,000,000 shall remain available until
expended; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Legislative
Counsel of the House, $18,740,000; for salaries and expenses of the
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs, $994,000; for other authorized
employees, $1,065,000.
Allowances and Expenses
For allowances and expenses as authorized by House resolution or
law, $491,783,200, including: supplies, materials, administrative costs
and Federal tort claims, $1,555,000; official mail for committees,
leadership offices, and administrative offices of the House, $190,000;
Government contributions for health, retirement, Social Security,
contractor support for actuarial projections, and other applicable
employee benefits, $444,155,200, to remain available until March 31,
2027, except that $37,000,000 of such amount shall remain available
until expended; salaries and expenses for Business Continuity and
Disaster Recovery, $28,951,000, of which $6,000,000 shall remain
available until expended; transition activities for new members and
staff, $10,000,000, to remain available until expended; Green and Gold
Congressional Aide Program, $4,122,000, to remain available until
expended; Office of Congressional Conduct, $1,810,000; and
miscellaneous items including purchase, exchange, maintenance, repair
and operation of House motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions,
and gratuities to heirs of deceased employees of the House, $1,000,000.
House of Representatives Modernization Initiatives Account
For the House of Representatives Modernization Initiatives Account
established under section 115 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act, 2021 (2 U.S.C. 5513), $4,000,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That disbursement from this account is subject to
approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives: Provided further, That funds provided in this account
shall only be used for initiatives approved by the Committee on House
Administration.
Administrative Provisions
requiring amounts remaining in members'
representational allowances to be used for
deficit reduction or to reduce the federal debt
Sec. 110. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any
amounts appropriated under this Act for ``HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--
Salaries and Expenses--members' representational allowances'' shall be
available only for fiscal year 2026. Any amount remaining after all
payments are made under such allowances for fiscal year 2026 shall be
deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction (or, if there
is no Federal budget deficit after all such payments have been made,
for reducing the Federal debt, in such manner as the Secretary of the
Treasury considers appropriate).
(b) The Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives shall have authority to prescribe regulations to carry
out this section.
(c) As used in this section, the term ``Member of the House of
Representatives'' means a Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress.
limitation on amount available to lease vehicles
Sec. 111. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to
make any payments from any Members' Representational Allowance for the
leasing of a vehicle, excluding mobile district offices, in an
aggregate amount that exceeds $1,000 for the vehicle in any month.
cybersecurity assistance for house of representatives
Sec. 112. The head of any Federal entity that provides assistance
to the House of Representatives in the House's efforts to deter,
prevent, mitigate, or remediate cybersecurity risks to, and incidents
involving, the information systems of the House shall take all
necessary steps to ensure the constitutional integrity of the separate
branches of the government at all stages of providing the assistance,
including applying minimization procedures to limit the spread or
sharing of privileged House and Member information.
long term lease requirements
Sec. 113. (a) Section 303(f) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42
U.S.C. 13212(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (C);
(2) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``branch, except that
it does include the House of Representatives with respect to an
acquisition described in paragraph (2)(C).'' and inserting
``branch.''; and
(3) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (C).
(b) The amendments made by this section apply to fiscal year 2026
and each succeeding fiscal year.
use of child care center revolving fund
Sec. 114. (a) Use for Telecommunications Expenses.--Section
312(d)(3) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1992 (2 U.S.C.
2062(d)(3)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) The payment of telecommunications expenses for the
Center, to include voicemail boxes, land lines, and cell phones
for Center employees, in connection with the provision of child
care services and as needed for critical and emergent
communications.''.
(b) Use for Salaries of Assistant Directors.--Section 312(d)(3)(A)
of such Act (2 U.S.C. 2062(d)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting ``and
assistant directors'' after ``director''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal year.
prohibition on certain technology
Sec. 115. (a) None of the funds appropriated by this Act or
otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for a Member, committee,
officer, or employee of the House of Representatives may be obligated,
awarded, or expended to procure or purchase covered information
technology equipment in cases where the manufacturer, bidder, or
offeror, or any subsidiary or parent entity of the manufacturer,
bidder, or offeror, of the equipment is an entity or parent company of
an entity listed on any of the following:
(1) The Chinese Military Company List of the Department of Defense.
(2) The Non-SDN Chinese Military Industrial Complex Companies List
of the Department of the Treasury.
(3) The Denied Persons List, Entity List, or Military End User List
of the Department of Commerce, if the entity is--
(A) an agency or instrumentality of the People's Republic
of China;
(B) an entity headquartered in the People's Republic of
China; or
(C) directly or indirectly owned or controlled by an
agency, instrumentality, or entity described in subparagraph
(A) or (B).
(4) The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List of the
Department of Homeland Security.
(b) The prohibition under subsection (a) shall apply to a case in
which a Member, committee, officer, or employee of the House of
Representatives has entered into a contract with another entity for the
procurement or purchase of, or the expenditure of funds on, covered
information technology equipment.
(c) In this section, the term ``covered information technology
equipment''--
(1) means a computer, printer, or interoperable videoconferencing
equipment for direct use by a Member, committee, officer, or employee
of the House of Representatives in an office environment; and
(2) does not include services that use such equipment, including
cloud services.
JOINT ITEMS
For Joint Committees, as follows:
Joint Economic Committee
For salaries and expenses of the Joint Economic Committee,
$4,283,000, to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate.
Joint Committee on Taxation
For salaries and expenses of the Joint Committee on Taxation,
$14,900,000, to be disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the
House of Representatives.
For other joint items, as follows:
Office of the Attending Physician
For medical supplies, equipment, and contingent expenses of the
emergency rooms, and for the Attending Physician and their assistants,
including:
(1) an allowance of $3,500 per month to the Attending
Physician;
(2) an allowance of $2,500 per month to the Senior Medical
Officer;
(3) an allowance of $900 per month each to three medical
officers while on duty in the Office of the Attending
Physician;
(4) an allowance of $900 per month to 2 assistants and $900
per month each not to exceed 11 assistants on the basis
heretofore provided for such assistants; and
(5) $3,388,000 for reimbursement to the Department of the
Navy for expenses incurred for staff and equipment assigned to
the Office of the Attending Physician, which shall be advanced
and credited to the applicable appropriation or appropriations
from which such salaries, allowances, and other expenses are
payable and shall be available for all the purposes thereof,
$4,856,000, to be disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer
of the House of Representatives.
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
Salaries and Expenses
For salaries and expenses of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services, $1,901,000, to be disbursed by the Secretary of
the Senate.
CAPITOL POLICE
Salaries
For salaries of employees of the Capitol Police, including
overtime, hazardous duty pay, and Government contributions for health,
retirement, social security, professional liability insurance, and
other applicable employee benefits, $687,355,000, of which overtime
shall not exceed $74,976,000 unless approved by the Committees on
Appropriations of the House and Senate, to be disbursed by the Chief of
the Capitol Police or a duly authorized designee: Provided, That of
the amount appropriated, $15,000,000 shall be available solely for
tuition reimbursement, recruitment and retention bonuses and other
retention focused salary related items Provided further, That none of
the amount appropriated under this heading may be merged with and made
available under the heading ``General Expenses'' without the prior
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate.
General Expenses
For necessary expenses of the Capitol Police, including motor
vehicles, communications and other equipment, security equipment and
installation, uniforms, weapons, supplies, materials, training, medical
services, forensic services, Member protection-related activities and
equipment, stenographic services, personal and professional services,
the employee assistance program, the awards program, postage,
communication services, travel advances, relocation of instructor and
liaison personnel for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and
not more than $5,000 to be expended on the certification of the Chief
of the Capitol Police in connection with official representation and
reception expenses, $203,546,000, of which $10,000,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2030 for reimbursements for mutual aid
and related training: Provided, That, notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the cost of basic training for the Capitol Police at
the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers for fiscal year 2026 shall
be paid by the Secretary of Homeland Security from funds available to
the Department of Homeland Security: Provided further, That none of
the amounts made available under this heading may be used to purchase a
drone manufactured in the People's Republic of China or by a business
affiliated with the People's Republic of China except for national
security purposes: Provided further, That none of the amounts
appropriated under this heading may be merged with and made available
under the heading ``Salaries'' without the prior approval of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate.
Administrative Provision
authorizations regarding international training
Sec. 116. (a) Section 4120 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) An employee of the Capitol Police may receive training under
this section outside of the United States only with the prior approval
of the Capitol Police Board. In this subsection, the term `United
States' means each of the several States of the United States, the
District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United
States.''.
(b) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect
to fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal year.
appointment and termination authority
Sec. 117. (a) Assistant Chief of Police.--Section 907(b) of the
Emergency Supplemental Act, 2002 (2 U.S.C. 1901 note) is amended by
striking ``the Assistant'' and inserting ``an Assistant''.
(b) Chief Administrative Officer.--Section 108(a) of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (2 U.S.C. 1903(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``who shall report to''
and all that follows and inserting the following: ``who shall
report to the Chief of the Capitol Police and who shall serve
at the pleasure of the Chief of the Capitol Police and the
Capitol Police Board.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``after consultation
with'' and inserting ``with the approval of''.
(c) General Counsel.--Section 3(a) of the United States Capitol
Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009 (2 U.S.C. 1911)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``who shall report to''
and all that follows and inserting the following: ``who shall
report to the Chief of the Capitol Police and who shall serve
at the pleasure of the Chief of the Capitol Police and the
Capitol Police Board.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``after consultation
with'' and inserting ``with the approval of''.
(d) Deputy Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs.--Section 1018(e)(1) of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003 (2 U.S.C. 1907(e)(1)), is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Special rules for deputy chiefs and assistant
chiefs of the capitol police.--
``(i) Designation.--The Chief may not
designate an officer, member, or employee as a
Deputy Chief or Assistant Chief of the Capitol
Police without the approval of the Capitol
Police Board.
``(ii) Termination.--An officer, member, or
employee designated as a Deputy Chief or
Assistant Chief of the Capitol Police shall
serve at the pleasure of the Chief of the
Capitol Police and the Capitol Police Board.''.
(e) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this
section shall apply with respect to any individual serving as a Deputy
Chief appointed by the Chief of the Capitol Police, an Assistant Chief
of the Capitol Police, the Chief Administrative Officer of the United
States Capitol Police, or the General Counsel to the Chief of Police
and the United States Capitol Police on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE RIGHTS
Salaries and Expenses
For salaries and expenses necessary for the operation of the Office
of Congressional Workplace Rights, $8,350,000, of which not more than
$1,000 may be expended on the certification of the Executive Director
in connection with official representation and reception expenses.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
For salaries and expenses necessary for operation of the
Congressional Budget Office, including not more than $6,000 to be
expended on the certification of the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office in connection with official representation and reception
expenses, $72,000,000: Provided, That the Director shall use not less
than $500,000 of the amount made available under this heading for (1)
improving technical systems, processes, and models for the purpose of
improving the transparency of estimates of budgetary effects to Members
of Congress, employees of Members of Congress, and the public, and (2)
to increase the availability of models, economic assumptions, and data
for Members of Congress, employees of Members of Congress, and the
public.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
Capital Construction and Operations
For salaries for the Architect of the Capitol, and other personal
services, at rates of pay provided by law; for all necessary expenses
for surveys and studies, construction, operation, and general and
administrative support in connection with facilities and activities
under the care of the Architect of the Capitol, including the Botanic
Garden, Senate and House office buildings, and other facilities under
the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol; for furnishings and
office equipment; for official reception and representation expenses of
not more than $5,000, to be expended as the Architect of the Capitol
may approve; for purchase or exchange, maintenance, and operation of a
passenger motor vehicle, $166,303,000.
Capitol Building
For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation
of the Capitol, $68,560,000, of which $32,899,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2030.
Capitol Grounds
For all necessary expenses for care and improvement of grounds
surrounding the Capitol, the Senate and House office buildings, and the
Capitol Power Plant, $19,939,000, of which $3,000,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2030.
House Office Buildings
For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care, and operation
of the House office buildings, $123,672,000, of which $32,140,000 shall
remain available until September 30, 2030, and of which $10,500,000
shall remain available until expended for a payment to the House
Historic Buildings Revitalization Fund.
Capitol Power Plant
For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation
of the Capitol Power Plant; and all electrical substations of the
Capitol; lighting, heating, power (including the purchase of electrical
energy) and water and sewer services for the Capitol, Senate and House
office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, and the grounds about
the same, Botanic Garden, Senate garage, and air conditioning
refrigeration not supplied from plants in any of such buildings;
heating the Government Publishing Office and Washington City Post
Office, and heating and chilled water for air conditioning for the
Supreme Court Building, the Union Station complex, the Thurgood
Marshall Federal Judiciary Building and the Folger Shakespeare Library,
expenses for which shall be advanced or reimbursed upon request of the
Architect of the Capitol and amounts so received shall be deposited
into the Treasury to the credit of this appropriation, $119,926,000, of
which $8,200,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2030:
Provided, That not more than $10,000,000 of the funds credited or to be
reimbursed to this appropriation as herein provided shall be available
for obligation during fiscal year 2026.
Library Buildings and Grounds
For all necessary expenses for the mechanical and structural
maintenance, care and operation of the Library buildings and grounds,
$76,829,000, of which $37,200,000 shall remain available until
September 30, 2030.
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security
For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation
of buildings, grounds and security enhancements of the United States
Capitol Police, wherever located, the Alternate Computing Facility, and
Architect of the Capitol security operations, $74,910,000, of which
$10,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided,
That none of the amounts made available under this heading may be used
to purchase a drone manufactured in the People's Republic of China or
by a business affiliated with the People's Republic of China except for
national security purposes.
Botanic Garden
For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation
of the Botanic Garden and the nurseries, buildings, grounds, and
collections; and purchase and exchange, maintenance, repair, and
operation of a passenger motor vehicle; all under the direction of the
Joint Committee on the Library, $21,392,000, of which $5,000,000 shall
remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of the
amount made available under this heading, the Architect of the Capitol
may obligate and expend such sums as may be necessary for the
maintenance, care and operation of the National Garden established
under section 307E of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1989
(2 U.S.C. 2146), upon vouchers approved by the Architect of the Capitol
or a duly authorized designee.
Capitol Visitor Center
For all necessary expenses for the operation of the Capitol Visitor
Center, $29,827,000.
Administrative Provision
no bonuses for contractors behind schedule or over budget
Sec. 118. None of the funds made available in this Act for the
Architect of the Capitol may be used to make incentive or award
payments to contractors for work on contracts or programs for which the
contractor is behind schedule or over budget, unless the Architect of
the Capitol, or agency-employed designee, determines that any such
deviations are due to unforeseeable events, government-driven scope
changes, or are not significant within the overall scope of the project
and/or program.
administration of public outreach and services for capitol grounds and
arboretum
Sec. 119. (a) Cooperative Agreements.--The Architect of the
Capitol, subject to the approval of the Committees on Appropriations of
the Senate and House of Representatives, may enter into cooperative
agreements with entities under such terms as the Architect determines
advisable, in order to support the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum in
carrying out its duties, authorities and mission.
(b) Plant Material Exchanges.--The Architect of the Capitol may
engage in plant material exchanges between the Capitol Grounds and
Arboretum and other entities including Federal, State, or local
government agencies, botanic gardens, arboretums, educational
institutions, non-profit organizations, municipal parks, and gardens.
(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal year.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Salaries and Expenses
For all necessary expenses of the Library of Congress not otherwise
provided for, including development and maintenance of the Library's
catalogs; custody and custodial care of the Library buildings;
information technology services provided centrally; special clothing;
cleaning, laundering and repair of uniforms; preservation of motion
pictures in the custody of the Library; operation and maintenance of
the American Folklife Center in the Library; preparation and
distribution of catalog records and other publications of the Library;
hire or purchase of one passenger motor vehicle; and expenses of the
Library of Congress Trust Fund Board not properly chargeable to the
income of any trust fund held by the Board, $501,902,900, and, in
addition, amounts credited to this appropriation during fiscal year
2026 under the Act of June 28, 1902 (chapter 1301; 32 Stat. 480; 2
U.S.C. 150), shall remain available until expended: Provided, That the
Library of Congress may not obligate or expend any funds derived from
collections under the Act of June 28, 1902, in excess of the amount
authorized for obligation or expenditure in appropriations Acts:
Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated, not more than
$18,000 may be expended, on the certification of the Librarian of
Congress, in connection with official representation and reception
expenses, including for the Overseas Field Offices: Provided further,
That of the total amount appropriated, no less than $10,360,000 shall
remain available until expended for the Teaching with Primary Sources
program: Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated,
$1,546,000 shall remain available until expended for upgrade of the
Legislative Branch Financial Management System: Provided further, That
of the total amount appropriated, $150,000 shall remain available until
expended for the Surplus Books Program to promote the program and
facilitate a greater number of donations to eligible entities across
the United States: Provided further, That of the total amount
appropriated, $4,379,000 shall remain available until expended for the
Veterans History Project to continue digitization efforts of already
collected materials, reach a greater number of veterans to record their
stories, and promote public access to the Project.
Copyright Office
salaries and expenses
For all necessary expenses of the Copyright Office, $101,476,000,
of which not more than $37,025,000, to remain available until expended,
shall be derived from collections credited to this appropriation during
fiscal year 2026 under sections 708(d) and 1316 of title 17, United
States Code: Provided, That the Copyright Office may not obligate or
expend any funds derived from collections under such section in excess
of the amount authorized for obligation or expenditure in
appropriations Acts: Provided further, That not more than $7,824,000
shall be derived from collections during fiscal year 2026 under
sections 111(d)(2), 119(b)(3), 803(e), and 1005 of such title:
Provided further, That the total amount available for obligation shall
be reduced by the amount by which collections are less than
$44,849,000: Provided further, That of the funds provided under this
heading, not less than $10,300,000 is for modernization initiatives, of
which $8,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2027:
Provided further, That not more than $100,000 of the amount
appropriated is available for the maintenance of an ``International
Copyright Institute'' in the Copyright Office of the Library of
Congress for the purpose of training nationals of developing countries
in intellectual property laws and policies: Provided further, That not
more than $6,500 may be expended, on the certification of the Librarian
of Congress, in connection with official representation and reception
expenses for activities of the International Copyright Institute and
for copyright delegations, visitors, and seminars: Provided further,
That, notwithstanding any provision of chapter 8 of title 17, United
States Code, any amounts made available under this heading which are
attributable to royalty fees and payments received by the Copyright
Office pursuant to sections 111, 119, and chapter 10 of such title may
be used for the costs incurred in the administration of the Copyright
Royalty Judges program, with the exception of the costs of salaries and
benefits for the Copyright Royalty Judges and staff under section
802(e).
Congressional Research Service
salaries and expenses
For all necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of section
203 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 166) and to
revise and extend the Annotated Constitution of the United States of
America, $141,093,000: Provided, That no part of such amount may be
used to pay any salary or expense in connection with any publication,
or preparation of material therefor (except the Digest of Public
General Bills), to be issued by the Library of Congress unless such
publication has obtained prior approval of either the Committee on
House Administration of the House of Representatives or the Committee
on Rules and Administration of the Senate: Provided further, That this
prohibition does not apply to publication of non-confidential
Congressional Research Service (CRS) products: Provided further, That
a non-confidential CRS product includes any written product containing
research or analysis that is currently available for general
congressional access on the CRS Congressional Intranet, or that would
be made available on the CRS Congressional Intranet in the normal
course of business and does not include material prepared in response
to Congressional requests for confidential analysis or research.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
salaries and expenses
For all necessary expenses to carry out the Act of March 3, 1931
(chapter 400; 46 Stat. 1487; 2 U.S.C. 135a), $68,001,000: Provided,
That of the total amount appropriated, $650,000 shall be available to
contract to provide newspapers to blind and print disabled residents at
no cost to the individual.
Administrative Provision
reimbursable and revolving fund activities
Sec. 120. (a) In General.--For fiscal year 2026, the obligational
authority of the Library of Congress for the activities described in
subsection (b) may not exceed $332,285,000.
(b) Activities.--The activities referred to in subsection (a) are
reimbursable and revolving fund activities that are funded from sources
other than appropriations to the Library in appropriations Acts for the
legislative branch.
GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
Congressional Publishing
(including transfer of funds)
For authorized publishing of congressional information and the
distribution of congressional information in any format; publishing of
Government publications authorized by law to be distributed to Members
of Congress; and publishing, and distribution of Government
publications authorized by law to be distributed without charge to the
recipient, $83,000,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be
available for paper copies of the permanent edition of the
Congressional Record for individual Representatives, Resident
Commissioners or Delegates authorized under section 906 of title 44,
United States Code: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be
available for the payment of obligations incurred under the
appropriations for similar purposes for preceding fiscal years:
Provided further, That notwithstanding the 2-year limitation under
section 718 of title 44, United States Code, none of the funds
appropriated or made available under this Act or any other Act for
printing and binding and related services provided to Congress under
chapter 7 of title 44, United States Code, may be expended to print a
document, report, or publication after the 27-month period beginning on
the date that such document, report, or publication is authorized by
Congress to be printed, unless Congress reauthorizes such printing in
accordance with section 718 of title 44, United States Code: Provided
further, That unobligated or unexpended balances of expired
discretionary funds made available under this heading in this Act for
this fiscal year may be transferred to, and merged with, funds under
the heading ``Government Publishing Office Business Operations
Revolving Fund'' no later than the end of the fifth fiscal year after
the last fiscal year for which such funds are available for the
purposes for which appropriated, to be available for carrying out the
purposes of this heading, subject to the approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for
publishing congressionally mandated reports under the Access to
Congressionally Mandated Reports Act, Pub. L. 117-263, div. G, title
LXXII, subtitle D: Provided further, That notwithstanding sections
901, 902, and 906 of title 44, United States Code, this appropriation
may be used to prepare indexes to the Congressional Record on only a
monthly and session basis.
Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents
salaries and expenses
(including transfer of funds)
For expenses of the public information programs of the Office of
Superintendent of Documents necessary to provide for the cataloging and
indexing of Government publications in any format, and their
distribution to the public, Members of Congress, other Government
agencies, and designated depository and international exchange
libraries as authorized by law, $42,852,000: Provided, That amounts of
not more than $2,000,000 from current year appropriations are
authorized for producing and disseminating Congressional serial sets
and other related publications for the preceding two fiscal years to
depository and other designated libraries: Provided further, That
unobligated or unexpended balances of expired discretionary funds made
available under this heading in this Act for this fiscal year may be
transferred to, and merged with, funds under the heading ``Government
Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund'' no later than
the end of the fifth fiscal year after the last fiscal year for which
such funds are available for the purposes for which appropriated, to be
available for carrying out the purposes of this heading, subject to the
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund
For payment to the Government Publishing Office Business Operations
Revolving Fund, $9,525,000, to remain available until expended, for
information technology development and facilities repair: Provided,
That the Government Publishing Office is hereby authorized to make such
expenditures, within the limits of funds available and in accordance
with law, and to make such contracts and commitments without regard to
fiscal year limitations as provided by section 9104 of title 31, United
States Code, as may be necessary in carrying out the programs and
purposes set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for the
Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund:
Provided further, That not more than $7,500 may be expended on the
certification of the Director of the Government Publishing Office in
connection with official representation and reception expenses:
Provided further, That the Business Operations Revolving Fund shall be
available for the hire or purchase of not more than 12 passenger motor
vehicles: Provided further, That expenditures in connection with
travel expenses of the advisory councils to the Director of the
Government Publishing Office shall be deemed necessary to carry out the
provisions of title 44, United States Code: Provided further, That the
Business Operations Revolving Fund shall be available for temporary or
intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, but at rates for individuals not more than the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of such title: Provided further, That activities
financed through the Business Operations Revolving Fund may provide
information in any format: Provided further, That the Business
Operations Revolving Fund and the funds provided under the heading
``Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents'' may
not be used for contracted security services at Government Publishing
Office's passport facility in the District of Columbia.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
For necessary expenses of the Government Accountability Office,
including not more than $12,500 to be expended on the certification of
the Comptroller General of the United States in connection with
official representation and reception expenses; temporary or
intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, but at rates for individuals not more than the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule
under section 5315 of such title; hire of one passenger motor vehicle;
advance payments in foreign countries in accordance with section 3324
of title 31, United States Code; benefits comparable to those payable
under sections 901(5), (6), and (8) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980
(22 U.S.C. 4081(5), (6), and (8)); and under regulations prescribed by
the Comptroller General of the United States, rental of living quarters
in foreign countries, $415,370,000, of which $5,000,000 shall remain
available until expended: Provided, That, in addition, $35,424,000 of
payments received under sections 782, 791, 3521, and 9105 of title 31,
United States Code, shall be available without fiscal year limitation:
Provided further, That none of the amounts made available under this
heading may be used with respect to a project or activity that has not
been requested by Congress or is otherwise not required by law unless
the Comptroller General provides prior notice to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate about
such project or activity that includes an explanation as to why such
project or activity should be carried out: Provided further, That this
appropriation and appropriations for administrative expenses of any
other department or agency which is a member of the National
Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional Intergovernmental Audit
Forum shall be available to finance an appropriate share of either
Forum's costs as determined by the respective Forum, including
necessary travel expenses of non-Federal participants: Provided
further, That payments hereunder to the Forum may be credited as
reimbursements to any appropriation from which costs involved are
initially financed.
Administrative Provision
funding availability relating to civil actions
Sec. 121. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act for the Government Accountability Office may be
used with respect to a civil action brought under section 1016 of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 687)
unless Congress has adopted a concurrent resolution authorizing the
Comptroller General to bring such civil action.
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FUND
For a payment to the Congressional Office for International
Leadership Fund for financing activities of the Congressional Office
for International Leadership under section 313 of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (2 U.S.C. 1151), $6,300,000.
JOHN C. STENNIS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
For payment to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service
Development Trust Fund established under section 116 of the John C.
Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development Act (2
U.S.C. 1105), $430,000.
TITLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
maintenance and care of private vehicles
Sec. 201. No part of the funds appropriated in this Act shall be
used for the maintenance or care of private vehicles, except for
emergency assistance and cleaning as may be provided under regulations
relating to parking facilities for the House of Representatives issued
by the Committee on House Administration and for the Senate issued by
the Committee on Rules and Administration.
fiscal year limitation
Sec. 202. No part of the funds appropriated in this Act shall
remain available for obligation beyond fiscal year 2026 unless
expressly so provided in this Act.
rates of compensation and designation
Sec. 203. Whenever in this Act any office or position not
specifically established by the Legislative Pay Act of 1929 (46 Stat.
32 et seq.) is appropriated for or the rate of compensation or
designation of any office or position appropriated for is different
from that specifically established by such Act, the rate of
compensation and the designation in this Act shall be the permanent law
with respect thereto: Provided, That the provisions in this Act for
the various items of official expenses of Members, officers, and
committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, and clerk hire
for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall be the
permanent law with respect thereto.
consulting services
Sec. 204. The expenditure of any appropriation under this Act for
any consulting service through procurement contract, under section 3109
of title 5, United States Code, shall be limited to those contracts
where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for
public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law,
or under existing Executive order issued under existing law.
costs of legislative branch financial managers council
Sec. 205. Amounts available for administrative expenses of any
legislative branch entity which participates in the Legislative Branch
Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) established by charter on March 26,
1996, shall be available to finance an appropriate share of LBFMC costs
as determined by the LBFMC, except that the total LBFMC costs to be
shared among all participating legislative branch entities (in such
allocations among the entities as the entities may determine) may not
exceed $2,000.
limitation on transfers
Sec. 206. None of the funds made available in this Act may be
transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United
States Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer
authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriation Act.
guided tours of the capitol
Sec. 207. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the
funds made available to the Architect of the Capitol in this Act may be
used to eliminate or restrict guided tours of the United States Capitol
which are led by employees and interns of offices of Members of
Congress and other offices of the House of Representatives and Senate,
unless through regulations as authorized by section 402(b)(8) of the
Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 (2 U.S.C. 2242(b)(8)).
(b) At the direction of the Capitol Police Board, or at the
direction of the Architect of the Capitol with the approval of the
Capitol Police Board, guided tours of the United States Capitol which
are led by employees and interns described in subsection (a) may be
suspended temporarily or otherwise subject to restriction for security
or related reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the United
States Capitol which are led by the Architect of the Capitol.
prohibition on certain operational expenses
Sec. 208. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be
used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network
blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds
necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement
agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations,
prosecution, or adjudication activities or other official government
activities.
prohibition on certain telecommunications equipment procurement
Sec. 209. (a) Prohibition on Use or Procurement.--
(1) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available under this Act may be used by the head of an agency,
office, or other entity to--
(A) procure or obtain or extend or renew a contract
to procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service
that uses covered telecommunications equipment or
services as a substantial or essential component of any
system, or as critical technology as part of any
system; or
(B) enter into a contract (or extend or renew a
contract) with an entity that uses any equipment,
system, or service that uses covered telecommunications
equipment or services as a substantial or essential
component of any system, or as critical technology as
part of any system.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to--
(A) prohibit the head of an agency, office, or
other entity from procuring with an entity to provide a
service that connects to the facilities of a third-
party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection
arrangements; or
(B) cover telecommunications equipment that cannot
route or redirect user data traffic or permit
visibility into any user data or packets that such
equipment transmits or otherwise handles.
(b) Prohibition of Loan and Grant Funds.--
(1) The head of an agency, office, or other entity may not
obligate or expend loan or grant funds appropriated or
otherwise made available under this Act to procure or obtain,
extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain, or enter into
a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain
the equipment, services, or systems described in subsection
(a).
(2) In implementing the prohibition in paragraph (1), heads
of agencies, offices, and entities administering loan, grant,
or subsidy programs shall prioritize available funding and
technical support to assist affected businesses, institutions,
and organizations as is reasonably necessary for those affected
agencies, offices, and entities to transition from covered
communications equipment and services, to procure replacement
equipment and services, and to ensure that communications
service to users and customers is sustained.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to--
(A) prohibit the head of an agency, office, or
entity from procuring with an entity to provide a
service that connects to the facilities of a third-
party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection
arrangements; or
(B) cover telecommunications equipment that cannot
route or redirect user data traffic or permit
visibility into any user data or packets that such
equipment transmits or otherwise handles.
(c) Effective Dates.--The prohibition under subsection (a)(1)(A)
shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal
year, and the prohibitions under subsections (a)(1)(B) and (b)(1) shall
apply with respect to fiscal year 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(d) Waiver Authority.--The head of an agency, office, or other
entity may, on a one-time basis, waive the requirements under
subsection (a) with respect to an agency, office, or entity that
requests such a waiver. The waiver may be provided, for a period of not
more than two years after the effective dates described in subsection
(c), if the agency, office, or entity seeking the waiver--
(1) provides a compelling justification for the additional
time to implement the requirements under such subsection, as
determined by the head of the agency, office, or entity; and
(2) submits to the head of the agency, office, or entity,
who shall not later than 30 days thereafter submit to the
appropriate congressional committees, a full and complete
laydown of the presences of covered telecommunications or video
surveillance equipment or services in the agency's, office's,
or entity's supply chain and a phase-out plan to eliminate such
covered telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or
services from the agency's, office's, or entity's systems.
(e) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate.
(2) The term ``covered telecommunications equipment or
services'' means any of the following:
(A) Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei
Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any
subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).
(B) For the purpose of public safety, security of
government facilities, physical security surveillance
of critical infrastructure, and other national security
purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications
equipment produced by Hytera Communications
Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology
Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary
or affiliate of such entities).
(C) Telecommunications or video surveillance
services provided by such entities or using such
equipment.
(D) Telecommunications or video surveillance
equipment or services produced or provided by an entity
that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the
Director of the National Intelligence or the Director
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably
believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or
otherwise connected to, the government of a foreign
adversary country.
(3) The term ``foreign adversary country'' means a country
specified in section 4872(d) of title 10, United States Code.
limitation on treatment as fiduciary relationship
Sec. 210. (a) Section 13144 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Limitation On Treatment As Fiduciary Relationship.--For
purposes of this section, the relationship between a Member who is
providing care directly to a patient in the form of medical services or
dental services and the patient to whom such care is provided shall not
be considered a fiduciary relationship.''.
(b) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect
to compensation received in fiscal year 2026 or any succeeding fiscal
year.
limitation on certain training
Sec. 211. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
for any office, program, or activity for the purposes of diversity,
equity, and inclusion training or implementation that promotes or
perpetuates divisive concepts related to race or sex, such as the
concepts that one race or sex is inherently superior to another, or
that an individual's moral character or worth is determined by their
race or sex.
limitation on funds
Sec. 212. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 7 of title 1,
United States Code, section 1738C of title 28, United States Code, or
any other provision of law, none of the funds provided by this Act, or
previous appropriations Acts, shall be used in whole or in part to take
any discriminatory action against a person, wholly or partially, on the
basis that such person speaks, or acts, in accordance with a sincerely
held religious belief, or moral conviction, that marriage is, or should
be recognized as, a union of one man and one woman.
(b) Discriminatory Action Defined.--As used in subsection (a), a
discriminatory action means any action taken by the Federal Government
to--
(1) alter in any way the Federal tax treatment of, or cause
any tax, penalty, or payment to be assessed against, or deny,
delay, or revoke an exemption from taxation under section
501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of, any person
referred to in subsection (a);
(2) disallow a deduction for Federal tax purposes of any
charitable contribution made to or by such person;
(3) withhold, reduce the amount or funding for, exclude,
terminate, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, any Federal
grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, guarantee,
loan, scholarship, license, certification, accreditation,
employment, or other similar position or status from or to such
person;
(4) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise make
unavailable or deny, any entitlement or benefit under a Federal
benefit program, including admission to, equal treatment in, or
eligibility for a degree from an educational program, from or
to such person; or
(5) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise make
unavailable or deny access or an entitlement to Federal
property, facilities, educational institutions, speech fora
(including traditional, limited, and nonpublic fora), or
charitable fundraising campaigns from or to such person.
(c) Accreditation; Licensure; Certification.--The Federal
Government shall consider accredited, licensed, or certified for
purposes of Federal law any person that would be accredited, licensed,
or certified, respectively, for such purposes but for a determination
against such person wholly or partially on the basis that the person
speaks, or acts, in accordance with a sincerely held religious belief
or moral conviction described in subsection (a).
limitation on funds
Sec. 213. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501) (relating to cost of living
adjustments for Members of Congress) during fiscal year 2026.
prohibiting acquisition of vehicles linked to chinese communist party
Sec. 214. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used
to lease, procure, or otherwise acquire a vehicle if the manufacturer,
bidder, or offeror of such vehicle is directly or indirectly an entity
that is--
(1) owned by, controlled by, or organized under the laws of
the People's Republic of China, including BYD Auto Co., Ltd.,
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd., or any subsidiary or
affiliate thereof; or
(2) included on the list maintained by the Secretary of
Defense pursuant to section 1260H of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 113 note),
including Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL),
or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.
Sec. 215. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an entity
may use amounts appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act
to pay the compensation of an officer or employee without regard to the
officer's or employee's immigration status if the officer or employee
has been issued an employment authorization document under the Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals Program of the Secretary of Homeland
Security, as set forth in the Department of Homeland Security's August
24, 2022 final rule entitled ``Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals''.
spending reduction account
Sec. 216. $0.
This Act may be cited as the ``Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act, 2026''.
Union Calendar No. 144
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4249
[Report No. 119-178]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 30, 2025
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed