Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 5304
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-09-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 227.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T15:38:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

H.R. 5304, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, provides funding for the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), Education (ED), and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It allocates discretionary and mandatory funds for programs supporting workforce development, public health, education, social services, and related activities, while including rescissions of prior-year funds and restrictions on certain expenditures.

Key Provisions

The bill appropriates approximately $220 billion in discretionary funding across titles, with specific allocations including:

Title I: Department of Labor ($15.8 billion)
Funds workforce training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), including $2.59 billion for adult and dislocated worker programs, $786.9 million for national programs (e.g., apprenticeships, YouthBuild), and $880.1 million for Job Corps operations.
Supports unemployment insurance administration ($74.3 million plus trust fund transfers), veterans' employment ($342.3 million), and worker safety (e.g., $582.4 million for Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Includes rescissions, such as $712 million from prior WIOA funds, and general provisions limiting salary caps and transfers.

Title II: Department of Health and Human Services ($174.5 billion discretionary, plus mandatory funds)
Allocates $1.86 billion for primary health care, $1.37 billion for health workforce development (including $130 million for substance use disorder treatment), and $985.5 million for maternal and child health.
Provides $2.05 billion for Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs, $415.4 million for rural health, and $15.49 billion for NIH research across institutes (e.g., $7.27 billion for cancer).
Funds Medicaid ($508.1 billion plus advances), CMS program management ($3.47 billion), and child welfare ($6.84 billion for foster care).
Supports mental health ($2.67 billion) and substance abuse treatment ($3.93 billion), with $4.04 billion for low-income energy assistance.
Includes $3.27 billion for medical countermeasures and pandemic preparedness under the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
General provisions prohibit funding for abortions (except in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions), human embryo research, and certain executive orders (e.g., on climate or equity).

Title III: Department of Education ($82.3 billion)
Allocates $14.85 billion for education for disadvantaged students (Title I of ESEA), $1.63 billion for Impact Aid to federally affected schools, and $4.84 billion for school improvement.
Provides $15.49 billion for special education under IDEA, $4.65 billion for vocational rehabilitation, and $23.25 billion for Pell Grants (maximum award $6,335).
Funds higher education ($2.71 billion), including $240 million for Howard University and $20.15 million for HBCU capital financing.
Supports career and technical education ($1.48 billion) and research via the Institute of Education Sciences ($740.4 million).
General provisions restrict funding for certain Title IX interpretations, DEI initiatives, and non-competitive grants.

Title IV: Related Agencies ($1.2 billion)
Funds America First Corps (formerly CNCS) at $524.7 million for volunteer programs, $40 million for the National Service Trust, and $69.6 million for administration.
Provides for other entities like the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled ($13.1 million), National Labor Relations Board ($200 million), and Social Security Administration ($14.62 billion administrative limit, plus $49.45 billion for SSI).
Includes closure funding for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service ($7.4 million).

Title V: General Provisions
Authorizes transfers (up to 1% of discretionary funds), limits lobbying and propaganda, and rescinds $12.84 billion from the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund and $183 million from American Rescue Plan funds.
Prohibits funding for gun control advocacy, DEI training, Critical Race Theory concepts, antisemitic conduct on campuses, gain-of-function research, and partnerships with certain foreign entities (e.g., Chinese labs).
Amends laws, such as adding a civil action provision for violations of funding conditions on abortion referrals (new Section 245A of PHS Act).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

New Restrictions and Prohibitions: Introduces bans on funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Critical Race Theory-related concepts, COVID-19 mandates, and certain executive orders (e.g., on climate and racial equity). Prohibits funding for short-term health insurance rules, minimum staffing in long-term care, and prior authorization models in Medicare.
Amendments: Adds security detail authority for the DOL Secretary (amending the Act of March 4, 1913); extends Workforce Pell Grants as "Trump Grants" through 2028; creates a civil action for violations of abortion-related funding conditions (PHS Act Section 245A); amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to allow more flexible use of funds for business investments.
Rescissions and Flexibilities: Rescinds funds from prior laws (e.g., $1.61 billion from HHS Nonrecurring Expenses Fund, $197 million from ED Nonrecurring Expenses Fund); allows multi-year contracts for BARDA and extends certain grant periods.
H-2B and Labor Rules: Provides flexibilities for H-2B visas in seafood industry and prohibits enforcement of certain wage rules or independent contractor classifications.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Provides stable funding for core operations but imposes administrative burdens through new reporting, restrictions, and rescissions, potentially reducing flexibility for programs like Medicaid and education grants. Agencies like NIH and CDC may face limits on research topics (e.g., no fetal tissue or gain-of-function studies).
On Citizens: Benefits low-income families, workers, students, and vulnerable groups via programs like WIOA training, Medicaid expansion, Pell Grants, and SSI ($49.45 billion), but restrictions could limit access to services (e.g., no abortion referrals, reduced DEI in education/health). Rural and minority communities may see targeted boosts (e.g., $145 million for rural opioid response). Impacts international relations minimally, mainly through global health cuts and refugee limits.
Broader Effects: Could reduce federal support for certain social policies, affecting healthcare access and equity; rescissions free up $14+ billion but may strain prior initiatives like pandemic relief.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Government Agencies and Employees: DOL, HHS, ED, SSA, and related bodies (e.g., NIH, CDC, CMS) receive primary funding; staff may face salary caps and hiring limits.
States, Local Governments, and Tribes: Receive grants for education, health, and workforce programs; must comply with new restrictions (e.g., no DEI funding).
Citizens and Communities: Low-income workers, students, disabled individuals, veterans, rural residents, and families benefit from services like unemployment aid, special education, and child care; restrictions impact reproductive health and LGBTQ+ protections.
Educational and Healthcare Institutions: Schools, universities, hospitals, and nonprofits (e.g., HBCUs, FQHCs) get funding but face antisemitism prohibitions and Title IX limits.
Businesses and Workers: Employers in agriculture/seafood gain H-2B flexibilities; unions and labor groups affected by NLRB funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Introduces enforceable civil actions (e.g., for abortion funding violations) and amends laws to expand DOL security powers; prohibits enforcement of specific rules (e.g., on Title IX gender identity, H-2A wages), potentially leading to litigation.
Constitutional: Provisions on religious beliefs (e.g., no discrimination against traditional marriage views) and free speech (e.g., no gun control advocacy) invoke First Amendment protections; restrictions on DEI and Critical Race Theory raise equal protection concerns under the 14th Amendment.
Political: Reflects partisan priorities, limiting progressive policies (e.g., climate initiatives, equity programs) while boosting conservative ones (e.g., apprenticeships, rural health); rescissions target Biden-era funds, signaling fiscal restraint and policy reversals, which could influence midterm elections or court challenges.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4]

Recent Actions

2025-09-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 227.
2025-09-11: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-271, by Mr. Aderholt.
2025-09-11: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-271, by Mr. Aderholt.

Bill Versions

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (200 pages)