This is a massive federal spending bill that funds three major government departments for fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 through September 2026). It allocates billions of dollars across the Department of Commerce, energy and water projects, and interior and environmental programs.

For the Department of Commerce specifically, the bill funds everything from trade promotion and patent offices to weather forecasting and fisheries management. It provides $582 million for international trade activities to help American businesses export goods, $235 million for export controls and national security, and $4.9 billion for the Patent and Trademark Office. The bill also funds the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with over $4.5 billion for weather forecasting, ocean management, and fisheries programs. Additionally, it allocates $1.2 billion to the National Institute of Standards and Technology for research facilities and industrial support programs.

The bill includes specific funding for salmon restoration efforts ($65 million), economic development assistance ($400 million), and statistical programs including the Census Bureau ($1.1 billion). It also sets rules for how these agencies can use the money—for example, allowing the Patent Office to keep fee revenue it collects and requiring agencies to follow specific procedures before moving money between accounts. The bill essentially tells these government agencies how much money they have to spend and what they're allowed to use it for during the next fiscal year.

Science Appropriations Act, 2026

Cole, Tom

Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for activities and programs related to commerce, law enforcement, science, energy and water development, public lands, and the environment.Specifically, the bill includes 3 of the 12 regular FY2026 appropriations bills:<ul><li>the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026;</li><li>the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,&nbsp;2026; and</li><li>the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026.</li></ul>The departments, agencies, and activities funded in the bill include<ul><li>the Department of Commerce,</li><li>the Department of Justice,</li><li>the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),</li><li>the National Science Foundation,</li><li>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects,</li><li>the Department of Energy,</li><li>the Department of the Interior,</li><li>the Environmental Protection Agency,</li><li>the Forest Service,</li><li>the Indian Health Service, and</li><li>several related and independent agencies.</li></ul>The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.