September 12, 2025
Congress has returned from its August recess, and lawmakers now face a tight timeline to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2026, which begins on October 1.
To avoid a lapse in funding, Congress must either pass all 12 appropriations bills (unlikely before October 1) or approve a continuing resolution (CR), a temporary measure that extends current finding levels. With timing running short, a CR is increasingly likely.
Despite some movement in both chambers, lawmakers have not yet reached agreement on a long-term funding approach, and they seem divided over how to move forward.
The White House has proposed a four-month CR that would extend funding through January 2026. This approach would push major negotiations into the new year. However, many lawmakers, particularly appropriators from both parties, are advocating for a shorter extension, closer to 45 days. This is to maintain momentum and avoid delaying passing all 12 appropriations bills to ensure the federal government is operating under a new budget rather than temporary CR extensions. Still other members are pushing for a CR that would last through the entire fiscal year. While this would avert a shutdown, it would freeze funding at fiscal year 2025 levels.
As negotiations continue, the path forward remains uncertain. In the coming weeks ahead, Congress will decide not only how to keep the government open, but also how to fund federal programs, including those that support law enforcement.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill Advances
While the larger funding debate continues, the House Appropriations Committee did advance the fiscal year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill on September 10 by a vote of 34–28. Significantly, this bill sets funding levels for the Department of Justice, among other agencies. Several items listed in the CJS Appropriations bill impact policing:
DOJ Funding
The House passed version of the CJS bill includes $39.3 billion. Below are the FY25 enacted funding levels, followed by the House’s recommended funding levels for FY26 programs:
| Agency/Program | FY 2025 Funding Level | House Passed FY 2026 Funding Level |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | $10.76 billion | $10.13 billion |
| Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) | $550.5 million | $2.81 billion |
| Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) | $1.69 billion | $1.21 billion |
| Marshals Service | 1.73 billion | $1.72 billion |
State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs
The House also passed funding levels for state and local law enforcement grant programs including:
| Agency/Program | FY 2025 Funding Level | House Passed FY 2026 Funding Level |
| Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) |
$548.1 million |
$654.1 million |
| COPS Hiring Program | $257 million | $256 million |
| Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) Program | $720.3 million | $403 million |
| VALOR Initiative | $13 million | $13 million |
| Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) | $20 million | $20 million |
| Justice Reinvestment Initiative | $35 million | $19 million |
| Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) program and Supporting and Treating Officers In Crisis Act (STOIC) | $10 million | $10 million |
| Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program | $30 million | $30 million |
| Office on Violence Against Women (OVAW): | $739.5 million | $640.5 million |
The next step for the CJS bill is consideration by the full House of Representatives and, if passed, approval by the Senate.
Recent Executive Order’s
Executive Order: Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail
On August 25, President Trump issued the Executive Order Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans that is aimed at curbing cashless bail policies in jurisdictions where they are believed to endanger public safety. The order directs the Department of Justice to identify states and local jurisdictions that substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety, including offenses involving violent, sexual, or indecent acts, or burglary, looting, or vandalism, and report them to the president. Federal agencies are instructed to review and potentially suspend funding to these jurisdictions, including grants and contracts, as permitted by law. The order emphasizes that federal resources should not support policies that allow dangerous individuals to be released pretrial.
To read the Executive Order, please click here.
IACP Supports the STOIC Act to Support Officer Mental Health
Representative Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) introduced a bipartisan bill, Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act this week. The STOIC Act reauthorizes the use of COPS grant funding for law enforcement mental health resources through 2029. The legislation will allow federal grants to continue supporting suicide prevention programs, family support services, and other critical mental health resources for officers. IACP supports the bill and recognizes the urgent need to provide officers with the tools and care necessary to address mental well-being.
If you’re interested in learning more about the STOIC Act, please click here to read a copy of the bill.
Congressional Calendar
Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing | Sept 16, 9:00 a.m.
FBI Oversight
Location: 216 Hart Bldg. | Link to Watch
House Subcommittee on Homeland Security Hearing | Sept 16, 2:00 p.m.
Threat of Agroterrorism
Location: 310 Cannon Bldg. | Link to Watch
House Subcommittee on Judiciary Hearing | Sept 16, 2:00 p.m.
Malicious Drone Use in America
Location: 2141 Rayburn Bldg. | Link to Watch
House Subcommittee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing | Sept 16, 2:00 p.m.
DoD Background Check System
Location: HVC-210, U.S. Capitol | Link to Watch
Senate Subcommittee on Judiciary Hearing | Sept 16, 2:30 p.m.
Harm of AI Chatbots
Location: 226 Dirksen Bldg. | Link to Watch
House Judiciary Committee Hearing | Sept 17, 10:00 a.m.
FBI Oversight
Location: 2141 Rayburn Bldg. | Link to Watch
Past legislative Updates
- Federal Funding Outlook Following the End of the Government Shutdown
- U.S. Government Shutdown Continues
- IACP Launches Federal Legislative Tracker and Provides Government Shutdown Updates
- Federal Budget Outlook Ahead of September Update
- Congress Returns: FY 26 Funding on Deck
- August Recess Update
