Bill · S. 2257· Senate(119-S-2257)
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- Introduced
- 7/10/2025
- Last activity
- 7/10/2025 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 113.
- Sponsored by
- Markwayne Mullin
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill provides funding for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It allocates money for various Senate expense and representation allowances, as well as salaries for officers and employees. The legislation covers several key entities including the Office of the Vice President, the Capitol Police, the Library of Congress, and the Government Accountability Office. It also includes provisions for the maintenance and operation of the Capitol building, grounds, and office buildings. Additionally, the bill addresses security enhancements and various administrative rules for the upcoming fiscal year.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill allocates funding for accessibility services and newspaper provision for the blind and print disabled.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+5
The bill funds the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services and provides resources for the blind and print disabled.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill directs the CBO to improve technical systems to increase budget estimate transparency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Support for Interns: The bill sets aside $7,000 specifically for providing financial compensation to Senate interns within the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account).
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Support for the Blind and Print Disabled: The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is allocated $650,000 to provide newspapers to blind and print disabled residents at no cost to the individual (National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled).
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Environmental Protection: The bill directs agencies that contract with food service providers to work on eliminating or reducing plastic waste, such as plastic straws, and increasing recycling and composting (Sec. 210).
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Accessibility Services: Funding is provided for the operation of the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services (Office of Congressional Accessibility Services).
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Increased Transparency: The Congressional Budget Office is directed to use at least $500,000 to improve technical systems and models to increase the transparency of budgetary estimates for the public and Members of Congress (Congressional Budget Office).
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Security for Members: The bill provides $15,000,000 for enhanced Member security and $3,500,000 for the residential security system program (Sec. 213).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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No Cost of Living Adjustments: The bill explicitly states that no adjustment shall be made for cost of living increases for Members of Congress during fiscal year 2026 (Sec. 211).
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Restrictions on Technology: There are prohibitions on using funds to acquire telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (Sec. 208), and a prohibition on using funds to purchase drones manufactured in or affiliated with the People's Republic of China (Capitol Police; Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security).
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Internet Restrictions: The bill prohibits the use of funds to maintain or establish any computer network that does not block the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography (Sec. 209).
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Contractor Limitations: The Architect of the Capitol is prohibited from using funds to make incentive or award payments to contractors who are behind schedule or over budget, unless certain specific conditions are met (Sec. 120).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Students+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces National Debt+1
- 7/10/2025
- Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Mullin. With written report No. 119-38.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 113.
- Introduced in Senate
- 5/14/2025
- Subcommittee on Legislative Branch. Hearings held on the subject prior to the subcommittee ordering to be reported an original measure. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-69.
- 5/6/2025
- Subcommittee on Legislative Branch. Hearings held on the subject prior to the subcommittee ordering to be reported an original measure. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-69.
- 4/29/2025
- Subcommittee on Legislative Branch. Hearings held on the subject prior to the subcommittee ordering to be reported an original measure. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-69.
3 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-3944: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-4249: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-5371: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026