Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8845
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Economics and Public Finance
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 567.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-01T23:41:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation appropriates funds for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2027 (ending September 30, 2027). It funds operations, programs, and activities across trade promotion, law enforcement, scientific research, space exploration, and related agencies while including policy restrictions and rescissions.
Key Provisions
- Title I (Department of Commerce): Provides $440 million for the International Trade Administration (with $16.4 million for China trade enforcement); $450 million for the Bureau of Industry and Security; $256.5 million for Economic Development Administration programs; $13.5 million for the Minority Business Development Agency; $1.2 billion for Census periodic programs; $5.16 billion for the Patent and Trademark Office (offset by fees); $1 billion for NIST scientific research; $4 billion for NOAA operations; and $1.79 billion for NOAA construction. Includes transfers, fee retention, and community project funding.
- Title II (Department of Justice): Allocates $135 million for Justice operations; $800 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review; $1.015 billion for general legal activities; $2.75 billion for U.S. Attorneys; $1.74 billion for U.S. Marshals; $11.36 billion for the FBI; $2.82 billion for DEA; $1.3 billion for ATF; $8.23 billion for Federal prisons; $725 million for Violence Against Women programs; $2.16 billion for state and local law enforcement assistance; and $325 million for juvenile justice. Includes First Step Act funding and opioid programs.
- Title III (Science): Funds $7.97 million for the Office of Science and Technology Policy; $6 billion for NASA science; $850 million for aeronautics; $913 million for space technology; $8.93 billion for exploration; $4.4 billion for space operations; $3.1 billion for safety and mission services; and $6.44 billion for NSF research.
- Title IV (Related Agencies): Provides $11.7 million for the Commission on Civil Rights; $379.5 million for EEOC; $134 million for the International Trade Commission; $268 million for Legal Services Corporation; and smaller amounts for other entities.
- Title V (General Provisions): Includes transfer authorities (up to 5-10% between accounts), rescissions totaling over $461 million from prior funds, and numerous restrictions (e.g., no funds for certain gun regulations, DEI initiatives, abortion-related activities, or specific China-related research). Requires quarterly reports, spending plans, and certifications. Prohibits use of funds for certain policies on immigration, speech, and federal employee benefits.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces or extends policy riders prohibiting funding for specific activities, such as enforcing certain ATF rules on firearms, funding DEI programs, investigating parents at school boards, or using funds for red flag laws and gun buybacks.
- Modifies funding structures with new or adjusted provisos for transfers, fee offsets, and program eligibility (e.g., expanded restrictions on National Firearms Act enforcement for certain items).
- Repeals or alters prior limitations in areas like Cuban trade claims and sets new thresholds for reporting and oversight.
- Rescinds unobligated balances from prior years, altering available resources for ongoing programs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Sets operational budgets that may require agencies like FBI, DEA, NASA, and NOAA to adjust staffing, research priorities, and enforcement activities. Rescissions and restrictions could reduce flexibility in law enforcement and science programs.
- Citizens: Affects access to services such as patent protection, economic development grants, victim assistance, and scientific research outcomes. Policy riders may limit certain federal investigations or programs related to guns, abortion, and immigration.
- International Relations: Influences trade enforcement (especially with China), export controls, and space cooperation; restrictions on certain activities could affect diplomatic or commercial ties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (Commerce, DOJ components, NASA, NSF, EEOC).
- State and local governments (via law enforcement grants and victim programs).
- Businesses (trade promotion, patents, economic development).
- Law enforcement and corrections personnel.
- Researchers, universities, and scientific communities.
- Victims of crime and violence.
- International trade partners and foreign governments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Includes numerous policy riders addressing social and regulatory issues (guns, abortion, DEI, speech, immigration), which may face legal challenges on grounds of exceeding appropriations authority or conflicting with existing statutes.
- Rescissions and transfer limits require congressional notification, reinforcing legislative oversight.
- Provisions on firearms, marijuana, and religious/moral beliefs could raise constitutional questions under the Second Amendment, First Amendment, or federalism principles.
- Quarterly reporting and certification requirements enhance transparency but increase administrative burdens.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 567.
- 2026-05-15: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-652, by Mr. Rogers (KY).
- 2026-05-15: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-652, by Mr. Rogers (KY).
Bill Versions
- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 — issued 2026-05-15 — PDF (150 pages)