119-S-2354 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Funds Justice, Commerce, and America’s science agencies for 2026, pairing money for law enforcement and weather satellites with NASA and NSF research—now queued for a Senate floor vote. [1]Congress.gov — S.2354 — Text as Reported to Senate (07/17/2025)[3]Congress.gov — S.2354 — Actions

What It Does

- Sets the 2026 budgets for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, plus NASA, NSF, and NOAA. Highlights include: funding for the FBI, DEA, and other DOJ operations; NOAA weather satellites and fisheries; NASA science, exploration (Artemis), and aeronautics; and NSF research and STEM education. The bill also carries standard “policy riders” that direct how funds can be used (for example, limits on DOJ-funded abortions except in narrow cases; restrictions on NASA’s bilateral work with China; and bans on transferring Guantánamo detainees to the U.S.). [1]Congress.gov — S.2354 — Text as Reported to Senate (07/17/2025)

These figures come directly from the bill text reported to the Senate. [1]Congress.gov — S.2354 — Text as Reported to Senate (07/17/2025)

Who’s For It

• Senate Appropriations leaders who advanced it (committee vote 19–10). Backers highlight resources to combat violent crime and fentanyl, improve weather forecasting, and continue NASA’s Moon program and scientific research. [2]Office of Sen. Jerry Moran — Moran: Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY20…
• Some Democrats praise the bill’s investments (e.g., NASA, NOAA, DOJ grants) even while raising concerns about specific disputes; Sen. Chris Van Hollen supported many provisions but opposed the final committee version over the FBI headquarters issue. [4]Office of Sen. Chris Van Hollen — Van Hollen statement on FY2026 CJS bill (comm…

Who’s Against It

• Democratic appropriators in the House argue the companion FY2026 CJS bill underfunds NSF, NASA science, and NIST, and contains “harmful” policy riders—criticisms that reflect likely debate points against similar provisions in the Senate bill. [5]House Appropriations Committee (Democrats) — House Appropriations Democrats: Ra…
• Civil-liberties and policy critics often target riders such as limits on DOJ-funded abortions (with exceptions), the long-standing bar on NASA bilateral cooperation with China, and bans on transferring Guantánamo detainees—each of which appears in this bill’s text. [1]Congress.gov — S.2354 — Text as Reported to Senate (07/17/2025)

What’s Next

As of July 17, 2025, S. 2354 was reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on the Senate calendar (Calendar No. 122). Next steps: a Senate floor vote, negotiations with the House (which is moving its own version), and then a final compromise for the President to sign. If timing slips, Congress may use a short-term funding bill to avoid gaps. [6]Congress.gov — S.2354 — All Info (Actions & Status)[3]Congress.gov — S.2354 — Actions