John Thune (R-SD)· Jan 15, 2026
S.Amdt. 4208: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
Proposed amendment SA 4208 withdrawn in Senate.
Tom Cole (R-OK)
Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
H.R. 6938 · House bill Economics and Public Finance
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-74.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
What this bill would do
This Act establishes consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, covering various government divisions including Commerce, Energy, the Interior, and the EPA. It provides significant funding for scientific research through NASA and the National Science Foundation, as well as for STEM education and human resources. The legislation allocates resources for water infrastructure, flood control, and the maintenance of National Parks and the Smithsonian Institution. It also addresses social needs such as victim services, Indian healthcare, and minority business development. Additionally, the bill manages funds for wildland fire management, energy efficiency, and economic development assistance. Finally, it establishes specific regulatory restrictions regarding environmental protections, land use, and agency operations.
Yes· 3 of 45
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Significant funding is allocated for Indian programs, education, and land-water claim settlements.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill provides substantial funding for hazardous waste cleanup, water infrastructure, and environmental research.
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
The bill provides significant funding for the Office on Violence Against Women.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this make abortion easier to get?
The bill includes provisions that restrict federal funding for abortion services.
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill includes significant rescissions of unobligated funds across several agencies to reduce spending.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill enacts several permanent rescissions to decrease existing agency balances.
What Congress actually voted on
6 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. 4 of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: a vote in favour The chamber's word for yes. The House says "aye" instead on some votes and "yea" on others; the two mean the same thing and are counted together here. Passed 375 yes · 47 no
01/08/2026 · Roll call 5 · recorded as “On Retaining Division A”
- The House: a vote in favour The chamber's word for yes. The House says "aye" instead on some votes and "yea" on others; the two mean the same thing and are counted together here. Passed 419 yes · 6 no
01/08/2026 · Roll call 6 · recorded as “On Retaining Divisions B and C”
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 397 yes · 28 no
01/08/2026 · Roll call 7 · recorded as “On Passage”
- The Senate: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 82 yes · 15 no
01/15/2026 · Roll call 11 · recorded as “On Passage of the Bill H.R. 6938”
- The Senate: a vote to end debate and allow a final vote In the Senate, debate can continue indefinitely unless 60 senators vote to end it. This vote is that attempt. It decides whether the Senate may vote on the thing at all — not whether the thing passes. A failed cloture vote usually ends the matter without anyone ever voting on its merits. Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to 80 yes · 13 no
01/12/2026 · Roll call 7 · recorded as “On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 6938”
- The Senate: a vote to end debate and allow a final vote In the Senate, debate can continue indefinitely unless 60 senators vote to end it. This vote is that attempt. It decides whether the Senate may vote on the thing at all — not whether the thing passes. A failed cloture vote usually ends the matter without anyone ever voting on its merits. Cloture Motion Agreed to 85 yes · 14 no
01/15/2026 · Roll call 10 · recorded as “On the Cloture Motion H.R. 6938”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Development and Business Support: The bill provides $400,000,000 for economic development assistance programs to support trade adjustment and technology innovation (Economic Development Administration).
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Minority Business Growth: There is $50,000,000 allocated to the Minority Business Development Agency to foster and develop minority business enterprises (Minority Business Development Agency).
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Support for Victims of Violence: The bill includes $720,000,000 for the Office on Violence Against Women to provide various services, including transitional housing assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault (Office ons Violence Against Women).
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Criminal Justice and Victim Support: Funds are allocated for several victim-related causes, such as $83,500,000 for victim services programs for victims of trafficking (State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance) and $50,000,000 to improve responses to sexual assault (State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance).
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Scientific and Technical Advancement: Large sums are dedicated to scientific research, such as $7,250,000,000 for NASA science research and $7,176,500,000 for the National Science Foundation (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
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Salmon Population Restoration: The bill provides $65,000,000 for the restoration of Pacific salmon populations, which can be used for conservation of populations necessary for Tribal treaty fishing rights or native subsistence fishing (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
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Support for Science and Education: The bill provides $938,250,000 for science, mathematics, and engineering education and human resources programs through the National Science Foundation (STEM education).
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Legal Assistance: The Legal Services Corporation is allocated $540,000,000 to carry out its purposes, which includes $4,750,000 for client self-help and information technology (payment to the legal services corporation).
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Economic Development in Poor Areas: At least 10 percent of funds for Public Works grants must be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties (Sec. 533).
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Water Infrastructure Safety: Funding is provided for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans for safety projects to maintain, upgrade, and repair dams (water infrastructure finance and innovation program account).
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Flood and Disaster Protection: Significant funds are allocated for the construction of flood and storm damage reduction projects and for preparing for natural disasters through the Army Corps of Engineers (construction; flood control and coastal emergencies).
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Energy Independence and Efficiency: The bill funds various energy initiatives, including $3,100,000,000 for energy efficiency and renewable energy activities (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy).
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Wildland Fire Management: The bill provides $1,147,171,000 for fire preparedness, suppression, and research, which helps protect communities from wildfires. (Title I, Wildland Fire Management)
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Energy Infrastructure: $375,000,000 is allocated to enhance the domestic supply chain for the manufacture of power transformers and electric grid components. (Sec. 311(b))
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National Park Maintenance: Significant funding is directed toward the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of constructed assets within the National Park System. (Title I, National Park Service)
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Tribal Support and Welfare: The bill provides substantial funding for Indian programs, including $78,494,000 for welfare assistance payments. (Title I, Bureau of Indian Affairs)
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Small Business and Innovation: Funds are directed to Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Commercialization Fund activities. (Sec. 309)
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Historical Preservation: The bill provides $205,059,000 for the Historic Preservation Fund to support the preservation of nationally significant sites and stories. (Title I, National Park Service)
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Improved Water Infrastructure: Large sums are allocated for capitalization grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to support the construction of water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure. (State and Tribal Assistance Grants)
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Support for Alaska Residents: Specific funding is designated for the State of Alaska to address drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs for rural and Alaska Native Villages. (State and Tribal Assistance Grants, subsection 3)
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Enhanced Indian Healthcare: Significant funds are provided for the Indian Health Service to support healthcare services, the Indian Healthcare Improvement Fund, and the implementation of the loan repayment program. (Indian Health Service)
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Wildfire Preparedness and Response: The bill provides substantial funding for wildland fire management, including forest fire presuppression, emergency suppression, and rehabilitation of burned lands. (Wildland Fire Management)
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Cultural Preservation and Education: Funding is provided for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Endowment for the Arts to support research, public exhibits, and the arts. (Smithsonian Institution; National Gallery of Art; National Endowment for the Arts)
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Economic Support for Forest Bioenergy: Policies are encouraged to recognize forest biomass as a renewable energy source to encourage private investment in harvesting and manufacturing. (Policies relating to biomass energy)
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Timber Sale Stability: No timber sale in Alaska's Region 10 will be advertised if the rate is a deficit, ensuring the value covers logging costs and provides a normal profit (Sec. 431).
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Domestic Timber Availability: Surplus western red cedar from Alaska can be made available to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at prevailing domestic prices (Sec. 431).
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Extended Health Entity Authorization: The extension of the Alaska Native regional health entities authorization through October 1, 2026, provides continued support for these entities (Sec. 437).
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Protection of Museum Operations: The bill prevents the reduction of funding or diminishment of operations for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino (Sec. 442).
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Extended Grazing Authority: The authorization for Bureau of Land Management actions regarding grazing on public lands is extended through 2027 (Sec. 445).
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Improved Maintenance Oversight: The Department of the Interior and Forest Service are directed to maintain and provide updated 5-year deferred maintenance plans to the Committee on a quarterly basis (Sec. 440).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Abortion Services: The bill states that no funds provided by the Department of Justice title may be used to pay for an abortion, except in specific circumstances involving the life of the mother, rape, or incest (Department of Justice, Section 202).
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Prohibition on Certain Uses of Funds: The bill prohibits the use of funds for certain purposes, such as the purchase of cable television services or audiovisual equipment for recreational purposes in federal prisons (Federal Prison System, Section 207).
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Limitation on Federal Law Enforcement: There is a provision stating that funds cannot be used to investigate or act upon applications for relief from Federal firearms disabilities for individuals, though it allows for use by corporations (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives).
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Permanent Loss of Funds: The bill includes several "rescissions," which are permanent removals of unobligated balances from various accounts, such as $250,000,000 from the Office of Justice Programs and $60,000,000 from Economic Development Assistance Programs (Sec. 521).
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Restrictions on Agency Flexibility: Various provisions limit the ability of agencies to move or reorganize funds, which could impact how they respond to changing needs (Administrative provisions; Sec. 505; Sec. 201).
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Strict Requirements for Government Contracts: Provisions require specific certifications regarding tax filings for any contractor or grantee receiving more than $5,000,000, which could act as a hurdle for some entities (Sec. 520).
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Restrictions on Nuclear Energy Deployment: Funding is limited to no more than two competitive awards for specific small modular reactor deployment projects. (Sec. 311(a))
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Limitations on Information Access: Certain agency information requests may be subject to specific internal procedures that could affect transparency. (Sec. 401)
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Budgetary Restrictions on Reprogramming: Strict limits are placed on how agencies can move money between programs, which could prevent quick responses to changing needs unless specific thresholds are met. (Sec. 301 and Sec. 402)
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Employment Restrictions: The bill includes provisions that could result in the displacement of individuals or affect existing contracts if certain experienced services programs are implemented. (Sec. 111)
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Restrictions on Infrastructure Funding: Federal water pollution control revolving fund grants may be restricted if iron and steel products used in projects are not produced in the United States. (Use of American Iron and Steel)
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Limitations on Mining Patents: Funds cannot be used to accept or process applications for a patent for any mining or mill site claim under certain conditions. (Mining Applications)
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Restrictions on Certain Land Uses: Funds may not be used for the preleasing or leasing of minerals within the boundaries of certain National Monuments. (Prohibition within national monuments)
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Inhibiting Competitive Procurement: There are limitations on the use of funds for certain contracts unless they comply with specific competition requirements, which could impact how services are procured. (Prohibition on no-bid contracts)
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Wind Project Delays: Funds may not be used for the Lava Ridge Wind Project until the Secretary of the Interior completes consultations regarding impacts to wildlife, cultural resources, and other factors (Sec. 438).
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Restrictions on Environmental Regulation: Funds cannot be used to implement regulations regarding certain emissions from livestock production or mandatory reporting for manure management systems (Sec. 433, Sec. 434).
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Restrictions on Safety Regulations: Funds are prohibited from being used to regulate the lead content of ammunition, components, or fishing tackle (Sec. 435).
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Firefighter Pay Limitations: The bill modifies how certain services are applied to pay calculations by disregarding services that generate payments payable in a subsequent calendar year (Sec. 436).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Significant funding is allocated for Indian programs, education, and land-water claim settlements. Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides significant funding for the Office on Violence Against Women. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill funds programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for rural water projects and community assistance. Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for STEM education and research. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for economic development and minority business support. Would children be better off under this? — The bill funds juvenile justice and youth mentoring programs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for legal services and victim assistance. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill funds services for victims with disabilities. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill includes funding for veterans treatment courts. Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions that facilitate the importation of certain firearms and protect specific firearm categories. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill includes support for programs involving older Americans via the Forest Service. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Provides support for arts and humanities which includes urban minority population priorities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill provides substantial funding for hazardous waste cleanup, water infrastructure, and environmental research. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill allocates significant resources for wildland fire suppression, emergency response, and disaster recovery. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill funds energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill provides funds for the management and protection of the National Forest System. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides funds for rural community assistance and infrastructure in Alaska. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill funds rail and other infrastructure related to the Long Bridge Project. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill includes funding for the Long Bridge Project in Virginia and DC.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill provides significant funding for the Office on Violence Against Women. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill allocates substantial funds to Tribal, Indian, and Alaska Native programs to support community development and health. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill includes funding for programs authorized by the First Step Act. Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill includes funding for water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States-Mexico Border area. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill funds community policing and training for law enforcement. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill directs funds toward projects in areas with high poverty rates via EPA grants. Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill includes funds for the election monitoring program via the Civil Rights Division. Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill protects parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings from investigation. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill prohibits investigating religious institutions based on their beliefs and prevents discrimination against religious beliefs in student programs. Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill includes provisions to prevent the denial of importation of certain firearms and regulates export licenses for firearms.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill allocates massive funding to NASA and the National Science Foundation. Does this put more into space exploration? — The bill provides significant support for NASA's science research. Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — The bill funds the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides significant funding for the Indian Health Service to improve healthcare access for Native American populations. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Funds are allocated to the Indian Health Service for alcohol or drug treatment services. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill includes funding for environmental and toxic substance research. Does this make abortion easier to get? — The bill includes provisions that restrict federal funding for abortion services.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill funds the International Trade Administration to facilitate business investment. Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill provides funding for forest and rangeland research and assistance in foreign countries. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill includes requirements for reviewing supply chain risks for high-impact information systems. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill includes restrictions on information systems and specific oversight of surveillance technologies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates various quarterly reports and public access to audit results. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill includes protections preventing the federal government from interfering with state medical marijuana laws.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides funding for economic development assistance and support for minority business enterprises. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill provides various economic development and business assistance programs. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill imposes stricter reporting and reprogramming oversight for various agencies. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides funding for various programs that may support job opportunities in environmental and tribal sectors. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill includes significant rescissions of unobligated funds across several agencies to reduce spending. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill enacts several permanent rescissions to decrease existing agency balances.
- Public Law (1/24/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
John Thune (R-SD)· Jan 15, 2026
S.Amdt. 4209: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 4209 fell when SA 4208 withdrawn.
John Thune (R-SD)· Jan 15, 2026
S.Amdt. 4210: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 4210 (the instructions of the motion to commit) fell when cloture invoked on the measure.
John Thune (R-SD)· Jan 15, 2026
S.Amdt. 4211: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 4211 fell when SA 4210 (the instructions of the motion to commit) fell.
John Thune (R-SD)· Jan 15, 2026
S.Amdt. 4212: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 4212 fell when SA 4211 fell.
- 1/23/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-74.
- 1/22/2026
- Presented to President.
- 1/15/2026
- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S227-249)
- Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 14. Record Vote Number: 10. (CR S230)
- Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4210) fell when cloture on the measure was invoked in Senate.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 15. Record Vote Number: 11.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 15. Record Vote Number: 11.
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 1/14/2026
- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185-218)
- 1/13/2026
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S141-143, S157)
- Measure laid before Senate by motion.
- Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4210) made in Senate.
- Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.
- 1/12/2026
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S121-128)
- Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 13. Record Vote Number: 7. (CR S128)
- 1/8/2026
- Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Legislative Day January 7, 2026).
- Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 299.
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S119)
- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S119)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 397 - 28 (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H151-199)
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 397 - 28 (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H151-199)
- On Retaining Divisions B and C Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 419 - 6 (Roll no. 6).
- Mr. Cole moved On Retaining Divisions B and C.
- On Retaining Division A Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 375 - 47 (Roll no. 5).
- Mr. Cole moved On Retaining Division A.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H209-211)
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on retaining Division A of H.R. 6938 and pursuant to H. Res. 977 the yeas and nays were ordered. The Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- Pursuant to section 4(a) of H. Res. 977, the Chair will put the question on retaining Division A of the bill, and then retaining Divisions B and C.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6938.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184 and H.R. 6938. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184, and H.R. 6938 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 977. (consideration: CR H151-205)
- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST - Mr. Cole asked unanimous consent that the question of retaining a portion of the bill on H.R. 6938 may be subject to postponement, as though under clause 8 of rule 20. Agreed to without objection.
- 1/7/2026
- Rule H. Res. 977 passed House.
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 977 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184 and H.R. 6938. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184, and H.R. 6938 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 1/6/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
7 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-4553: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-4754: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-5342: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-S-2354: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-S-2431: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-S-3293: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HRES-977: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4593) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise the definition of showerhead; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5184) to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards applicable to manufactured housing, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6938) making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.