Legislative Update Archives

Legislative Update

Police Chief Magazine|Columns|Legislative Update

Government Funding Bills Advance as January 30 Deadline Nears

January 16, 2026

The IACP Legislative Update covers the major developments in Congress that could impact policing. This update provides an overview of the FY 2026 appropriations process, including recent action on multi-bill minibus packages and what remains outstanding as lawmakers work toward the January 30 funding deadline.

Legislative Update

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Counter-UAS Victory & Marijuana Rescheduling Executive Order: What It Means for Policing

December 19, 2025 The IACP Legislative Update covers the major developments in Congress that could impact policing. This update covers the FY 26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and explains...

Legislative Update

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NDAA Advances as Spending Talks Tighten

Congress returned from the Thanksgiving recess with a full agenda. The most likely major bill to advance this month is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA does not appropriate fund...

Legislative Update

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Federal Funding Outlook Following the End of the Government Shutdown

November 21, 2025 Congress ended the 43-day government shutdown by passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds federal agencies at FY 2025 levels through January 30, 2026. The package also includ...

Legislative Update

U.S. Government Shutdown Continues

November 7, 2025 Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, legislative activity on Capitol Hill has largely come to a halt. Most congressional hearings and markups have been postponed, and fede...

Legislative Update

IACP Launches Federal Legislative Tracker and Provides Government Shutdown Updates

October 10, 2025 The ongoing federal government shutdown is having a significant impact on the legislative process, delaying action on many issues impacting the policing profession. With Congress foc...

Legislative Update

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Federal Budget Outlook Ahead of September Update

September 26, 2025 Congress will return to Washington, D.C., on September 29 with just one day left to fund the federal government before the start of fiscal year 2026 on October 1. While the House p...

Legislative Update

Congress Returns: FY 26 Funding on Deck

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 avoi...

Legislative Update

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August Recess Update

August 08, 2025 Congress is taking its annual August recess and will return to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. While members of the House and Senate are back home in their districts,...

Legislative Update

Breakdown of the Reconciliation Bill and Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bills

July 25, 2025 In recent weeks, Congress and the Administration have taken significant action to shape federal funding and policy priorities affecting policing and public safety. On July 4, President ...

Legislative Update

Appropriations Process Underway

July 11, 2025 With President Trump’s signing of the FY 2025 budget reconciliation package—formally titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—Congress has shifted its focus to the FY 2026 approp...