September 4, 2026

Congress Extends Government Funding Through December 

Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 11, 2026, avoiding a shutdown and extending current funding levels for most programs. The temporary measure delays final decisions on federal appropriations, including funding for agencies and grant programs that support law enforcement.  

Congress is also expected to postpone action on several major legislative priorities until after the election, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and legislation addressing digital asset regulation. As lawmakers return later this fall, they will face a crowded year-end agenda that could have implications for public safety funding, technology, and national security policy discussions.  

FY 2026 Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is accepting applications for the FY 2026 Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Program, which supports efforts to protect the safety and security of federal judges and their families by preventing the public release of sensitive personal information. Funding may be used to create or expand redaction and removal programs, enhance privacy protections, improve policies and protocols, modify databases and registries, and establish confidential opt-out systems. 

Eligible applicants include state, local, special district, and tribal governments that operate databases containing covered information. Awards of up to $200,000 are available for program implementation and up to $500,000 for program enhancement. 

Application deadlines are October 15, 2026, for Grants.gov submissions and October 22, 2026, for JustGrants applications. 

There are several other grant funding opportunities available through BJA that can be found  at  BJA Current Funding Opportunities. 

DOJ Reestablishes Global Advisory Committee; Criminal Intelligence Coordination Efforts Renewed 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced the reestablishment of the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative Advisory Committee (Global Advisory Committee or GAC), restoring a key component of the national justice information-sharing framework. The reestablished committee will provide recommendations to DOJ leadership on justice information sharing, criminal intelligence policy, and related public safety initiatives.  

This action is also significant for the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council (CICC), which operates within the  GAC framework and serves as a forum for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies on intelligence and information-sharing issues.  

The IACP played a central role in the development of both organizations. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the IACP convened the first National Intelligence Summit, which helped establish the foundation for the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan and the creation of the CICC.  

Over the past two decades, the GAC and CICC have helped develop intelligence-sharing standards, privacy guidance, training resources, and information-sharing practices used by law enforcement agencies nationwide.  

Congressional Calendar Update 

On September 3, 2026, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that House of Representative will recess the week of September 14th and will not return until after the midyear elections in November.  The Senate is scheduled to recess the week of October 5 and will also not return until after the midterm elections. 

Past Legislative Updates