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FederalHB6938indirectBecame Law

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Science Appropriations Act, 2026 Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed House
  3. Passed Senate
  4. To President
  5. Became Law

Overview

This is a consolidated appropriations bill funding multiple federal agencies for fiscal year 2026, including the Department of Justice, Commerce, and Interior. While primarily about budgets, such bills often contain riders and provisions that can affect education policy, religious liberty enforcement, and family-related regulations.

Why it matters: Appropriations bills can include legislative language that affects how federal agencies enforce laws related to school choice, religious freedom, parental rights, and other family concerns—either by funding or defunding enforcement of existing statutes.

Topic: Other · classifier confidence 35%

What this changes

Appropriation / funding

Law today: The bill does not spell out the prior law. It is a consolidated appropriations measure that funds multiple federal departments and agencies for fiscal year 2026.

If passed: This bill allocates federal funding across the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Interior, and Energy, as well as related agencies. The specific dollar amounts and conditions attached to that funding would determine whether any provisions affect Christian families—for example, through grants to schools, research institutions, law enforcement, or environmental programs. Without the full text, the exact impact on Christian families cannot be determined.

AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.

Should I support this?

Little direct impact

This is a routine appropriations bill that distributes federal funding. Without access to the full text and specific funding allocations, amendments, or riders, it is impossible to assess whether it meaningfully expands or restricts religious freedom, parental rights, or educational liberty. Most Christian families are unaffected by departmental budget allocations unless the bill contains specific provisions related to education, conscience protections, or religious organizations.

An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.

💬 Chat about this bill ↗Official bill text ↗View on LegiScan ↗

Official summary

Making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

Sponsors

  • Tom Cole (R)

Status timeline

  1. 2026-01-23Became Public Law No: 119-74.H
  2. 2026-01-23Signed by President.H
  3. 2026-01-22Presented to President.H
  4. 2026-01-15Message on Senate action sent to the House.S
  5. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4208 Proposed amendment SA 4208 withdrawn in Senate.S
  6. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4209 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S248)S
  7. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4208 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S248)S
  8. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4211 SA 4211 fell when SA 4210 (the instructions of the motion to commit) fell.S
  9. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4212 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S230)S
  10. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4209 SA 4209 fell when SA 4208 withdrawn.S
  11. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4212 SA 4212 fell when SA 4211 fell.S
  12. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4210 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S230)S
  13. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4210 SA 4210 (the instructions of the motion to commit) fell when cloture invoked on the measure.S
  14. 2026-01-15S.Amdt.4211 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S230)S
  15. 2026-01-15Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 15. Record Vote Number: 11.S
  16. 2026-01-15Motion 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.S
  17. 2026-01-15Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 14. Record Vote Number: 10. (CR S230)S
  18. 2026-01-15Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S227-249)S
  19. 2026-01-14Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185-218)S
  20. 2026-01-14S.Amdt.4210 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185)S
  21. 2026-01-14S.Amdt.4208 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185)S
  22. 2026-01-14S.Amdt.4212 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185)S
  23. 2026-01-14S.Amdt.4211 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185)S
  24. 2026-01-14S.Amdt.4209 Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S185)S
  25. 2026-01-13Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.S
  26. 2026-01-13S.Amdt.4211 Amendment SA 4211 proposed by Senator Thune to Amendment SA 4210 (the instructions of the motion to commit). (consideration: CR S157) To improve the bill.S
  27. 2026-01-13S.Amdt.4208 Amendment SA 4208 proposed by Senator Thune. (consideration: CR S157) To improve the bill.S
  28. 2026-01-13S.Amdt.4212 Amendment SA 4212 proposed by Senator Thune to Amendment SA 4211. (consideration: CR S157) To improve the bill.S
  29. 2026-01-13S.Amdt.4210 Amendment SA 4210 proposed by Senator Thune. (consideration: CR S157) To improve the bill.S
  30. 2026-01-13S.Amdt.4209 Amendment SA 4209 proposed by Senator Thune to Amendment SA 4208. (consideration: CR S157) To improve the bill.S
  31. 2026-01-13Motion 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.S
  32. 2026-01-13Measure laid before Senate by motion.S
  33. 2026-01-13Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S141-143, S157)S
  34. 2026-01-13Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.S
  35. 2026-01-12Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 13. Record Vote Number: 7. (CR S128)S
  36. 2026-01-12Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S121-128)S
  37. 2026-01-08Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S119)S
  38. 2026-01-08Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.H
  39. 2026-01-08On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 397 - 28 (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H151-199)H
  40. 2026-01-08On Retaining Divisions B and C Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 419 - 6 (Roll no. 6).H
  41. 2026-01-08Mr. Cole moved On Retaining Divisions B and C.H
  42. 2026-01-08On Retaining Division A Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 375 - 47 (Roll no. 5).H
  43. 2026-01-08Mr. Cole moved On Retaining Division A.H
  44. 2026-01-08Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H209-211)H
  45. 2026-01-08POSTPONED 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.H
  46. 2026-01-08Pursuant 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.H
  47. 2026-01-08The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.H
  48. 2026-01-08DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6938.H
  49. 2026-01-08Rule 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.H
  50. 2026-01-08Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 977. (consideration: CR H151-205)H
  51. 2026-01-08UNANIMOUS 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.H
  52. 2026-01-08Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S119)S
  53. 2026-01-08Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 299.S
  54. 2026-01-08Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Legislative Day January 7, 2026).S
  55. 2026-01-07Rule H. Res. 977 passed House.H
  56. 2026-01-07Rules 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.H
  57. 2026-01-06Referred 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.H
  58. 2026-01-06Introduced in HouseH

H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly