Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Bill

House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch

2025-06-23

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee convened to mark up the fiscal year 2026 legislative branch appropriations bill, which proposes a significant decrease in funding compared to the previous year and the official request, leading to strong objections from minority members regarding specific cuts and policy riders.[ 00:15:28-00:16:04 ] While initial statements thanked staff and members, the discussion quickly revealed deep partisan divisions over the bill's contents, particularly concerning government oversight and institutional integrity.[ 00:15:34 ] [ 00:26:44 ]

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Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

The bill introduces a $5 billion budget for the legislative branch, representing a 5.3% reduction from the fiscal year 2025 enacted House level and $1.3 billion less than the fiscal year 2026 request.[ 00:15:55-00:16:01 ] The majority emphasized the bill's commitment to responsible funding decreases and leading by example, aiming to fulfill Article I responsibilities and safeguard taxpayer dollars through targeted investments.[ 00:16:04-00:16:10 ] However, minority members expressed strong disapproval, citing the bill's drastic cuts and policy riders as problematic.

Funding Cuts to Oversight Agencies and Institutions

A major point of contention was the proposed 48% (nearly 50%) cut to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and a 10% cut to the Library of Congress. Minority members argued that defunding the GAO, which is responsible for identifying waste, fraud, and abuse and conducting investigations into the executive branch's use of funds, undermines government accountability and efficiency. They suggested these cuts were a "knee-jerk reaction" to the GAO's ongoing investigations into the White House potentially impounding congressionally appropriated funds, and warned of significant job losses and foregone cost savings. Critics asserted that these cuts would weaken Congress's oversight capabilities and empower an "imperial presidency."

Member and Capitol Security Measures

The tragic events in Minnesota were highlighted, with both sides condemning political violence and emphasizing the need for enhanced security for members of Congress and the Capitol complex.[ 00:16:10-00:16:37 ] The bill includes increased funding for the House Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police, doubling the annual amount requested for mutual aid disbursements, and continues the increased members' representative allowance for security away from the Capitol.[ 00:16:38-00:16:47 ] However, minority members expressed concern that the bill does not include the full Capitol Police request for mutual aid reimbursement or sufficient additional resources for cybersecurity and member security, despite the recent threat. The delay in installing a plaque honoring law enforcement personnel for their service on January 6th was also cited as an affront to law enforcement.

Policy Riders and Workforce Diversity

Minority members also criticized the inclusion of "unnecessary and divisive riders" that they claim dismantle minority rights and create a "license to discriminate against LGBTQ plus people." Concerns were raised about provisions blocking diversity programs, barring DACA recipients from legislative branch employment, and offering fewer protections for new mothers, all of which are believed to hinder the recruitment and retention of diverse and talented staff. The bill's failure to provide a cost-of-living adjustment for members for the 16th consecutive year, along with flat funding for the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA) and cuts to House maintenance, was described as "political cowardice" and detrimental to attracting a diverse workforce. Issues regarding senior staff salary ceilings and the neglect of proposed benefit programs for House staff were also highlighted.

Meeting Tone

The meeting began with professional courtesies, including acknowledgements of staff contributions and an unexpected birthday wish.[ 00:15:34 ] [ 00:17:48 ]

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[ 00:26:44 ]

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 However, the tone quickly became contentious and deeply partisan as minority members voiced strong opposition to the bill's proposed cuts and riders. Speakers expressed "astonishment," "frustration," and "sadness" over specific provisions, accusing the majority of ill intent, political cowardice, and undermining congressional authority. The discussion reflected significant ideological divisions, with passionate appeals for institutional integrity and accusations of empowering the executive branch at the expense of Congress. The final vote to report the bill favorably passed along party lines, with six ayes and four nos.[ 00:35:25 ]

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Participants

Transcript

The subcommittee on the legislative branch will come to order.
Welcome to the subcommittee markup of fiscal year 2026 legislative branch appropriations bill and welcome Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and Ranking Member Espaillat.  I'll now recognize myself for my opening statement.  I'm pleased to introduce fiscal year 2026 legislative branch appropriations bill for the subcommittee's consideration.   I'd like to begin by thanking our subcommittee members and attendants for their input and support throughout the hearing season and during the formulation of this bill we present for consideration this evening.  I'd like to specifically thank Ranking Member Espaillat for his contributions and valuable insights.  The bill provides $5 billion   a 5.3 percent decrease from fiscal year 2025 enacted House level.  As a legislative branch, we believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and make responsible funding decreases where appropriate.  I want to take a moment to recognize the tragic events that took place in Minnesota since Congress was last in session.  Political violence has no place in our country.  And I continue to pray for the victims and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.   As appropriators on the subcommittee on the legislative branch, we have a unique responsibility to provide for the safety and security for members of Congress and the United States Capitol complex, the heart of democracy in the world.  The bill under consideration today includes increased funding for House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police, including double the annual amount requested for mutual aid disbursements.   It also continues to carry the increase in members' representative allowance that began in 2017 for the purpose of providing member security when they are away from the capital complex.   It is my understanding that the House Sergeant at Arms is developing a number of proposals regarding additional security measures for member consideration.  In the days ahead, we look forward to reviewing and discussing these proposals with our colleagues to determine the most appropriate path forward.
As you're all aware, this subcommittee   Mark, is the first step in the bill's journey, and we look forward to continuing the discussion on security measures, particularly when we go to the conference with the Senate, where we'll be able to address these concerns in the united fashion.   Again, I'd like to thank all members for their thoughtful contributions to the Legislative Branch Subcommittee bill and report.  I'd also like to wish Mr. Lolota from New York a very happy birthday.  We appreciate him for being willing to spend his birthday with us.  You don't believe me, do you?  We know there is somewhere else he would rather be.   Finally, I want to thank the subcommittee staff on both sides, from the majority, Laura Raleigh and April Lyman, and from the minority, Faye Cobb.  Thank you for your many hours of work resulting in this product and for your efforts to include as many member priorities as possible.  Now I'll go back to, and I'll now recognize Ranking Member Espaillat for his opening remarks.
Thank you.  Thank you, Chairman Balladeo, and to all the members on both sides.   Thank you for the work that we do together.  I would also like to thank the subcommittee staff for their great work on both sides of the aisle.  As you noted, the bill before us today, excluding the Senate items, contains $5 billion, which is $272 million, or 5% less.   than the fiscal year 2025 enacted levels and $1.3 billion below the fiscal year 2026 request.  The bill continues to contain unnecessary and divisive writers.  As written, these provisions continue   the Republicans' obsession with dismantling the rights of every minority group in America.  In addition, the bill reduces the funding for the Government Accountability Office by a whopping 48%.  The party who has prioritized waste, fraud, and abuse has cut the GAO, the government's premier auditor and watchdog, by almost 50%.   According to Republicans, these cuts are necessary to curtail the agency's self-directed liberal initiatives.  I disagree.  GAO is responsible for researching and making recommendations on how to improve agency fairness and efficiency.  It has been responsible for identifying waste and abuse within agency.  Last year alone, it found $162 billion in improper payments.   It works on IT and infrastructure related projects and investments.  Stopping this would result in inefficiency and increased security risk across the board.  This reduction is a knee-jerk reaction.   to the GAO's nearly 40 open investigations into whether the White House is illegally withholding money Congress previously appropriated.
The majority's decision to cut funding is ill intended.  With this cut,   2,200 jobs will be lost.

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