Appropriations panel advances FY2026 legislative-branch bill after heated debate over GAO, Library cuts and security funding

The House Appropriations Committee’s markup of the fiscal 2026 legislative-branch appropriations bill ended with the panel voting to report the measure to the House after extensive debate over cuts to the Government Accountability Office, reductions to the Library of Congress, and member security funding.

Chairman Valadao opened the session by saying the committee planned to complete the legislative-branch work that day: “It’s my intention to complete all work on the legislative branch appropriations bill today,” he said. The bill as presented to the committee set a discretionary House allocation of $5,000,000,000, a roughly 5% reduction from the enacted FY2025 House level, and the chair noted the measure reflects “tough choices.”

The markup quickly turned contentious as Democrats pressed the panel to restore funding to the Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress and demanded clearer provisions to protect members and staff after recent political violence. Ranking member Espaillat called for more resources for member security and criticized riders in the bill that he said “annihilate diversity programs” and undermine LGBTQ rights. Several Democratic members described the GAO cuts as a direct threat to Congress’s oversight role and cited GAO’s high return on investment in audits and recoveries.

The bill includes stepped-up security provisions for the Capitol complex and continued an increase to the members’ representative allowance that was put in place after 2017 for member security away from the Capitol. Chairman Valadao called attention to funding requested by the U.S. Capitol Police for mutual aid reimbursements, noting the department requested $5,000,000 per year for five years; the report and bill provided $10,000,000 for FY2026, double the annual rate requested in the report.

Several high-profile amendments were debated and put to recorded votes. A bipartisan manager’s amendment offered by Chairman Valadao that included technical edits and language agreed to by both sides was adopted by voice vote. Other floor amendments generated division:

- An amendment by the gentlelady from Connecticut to remove language the sponsor described as a “poison pill” that would limit GAO’s ability to bring enforcement actions was defeated in a recorded vote, 28–34. The sponsor said her amendment preserved Congress’s ability to enforce appropriations and the Impoundment Control Act.

- A restoration amendment to increase GAO funding and roll back deep cuts — offered by Representative Hoyer — passed on a recorded vote, 32–29. Supporters argued the GAO’s nonpartisan audits save taxpayers far more than its operating budget; opponents said the subcommittee’s bill must control the scope of GAO’s work.

- A separate amendment to allow recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to be eligible for employment in the legislative branch, offered by Representative Aguilar, passed on a recorded vote, 32–29. Supporters said the change lets congressional offices hire qualified lawful-status applicants who are already working and paying taxes.

- An amendment requiring installation of a January 6 memorial plaque honoring law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol was debated at length and failed on a recorded vote, 28–34. Several members who had been present on January 6 urged adoption; opponents cited logistical and naming concerns raised by law enforcement agencies and House leadership talks.

- A proposal from Representative Torres to rescind $400 million reportedly tied to conversion or retrofit work on an aircraft and transfer that money to the GAO failed in a recorded vote, 26–34.

- An amendment extending the 2023 federal PUMP Act protections for nursing mothers to legislative-branch employees, offered by Representative Underwood, was debated. Committee text and the accompanying report note lactation suites are available across the Capitol complex; the amendment was defeated in a recorded vote, 28–33.

After the roll-call votes on amendments, the committee voted to favorably report the FY2026 legislative-branch appropriations bill to the full House; the motion carried, 34–28. The committee also adopted an updated interim 302(b) subcommittee allocation to include the legislative-branch bill by the same margin, 34–28.

Members left the markup with sharply divided views. Democrats described the bill as underfunding Congress’s core tools — GAO, the Library of Congress and Congressional Research Service — and said the cuts would undercut oversight, transparency and services to constituents. Republicans and the bill’s managers said reductions reflect fiscal restraint and that the bill preserves key priorities including member security and core operations of the legislative branch. The committee document and debate show members agreed to continue discussions with leadership about security and other contested issues as the bill moves to the floor.

Votes at a glance - Manager’s amendment (technical/cybersecurity language) — adopted (voice vote). - Amendment to strike a “poison pill” limiting GAO enforcement actions — failed, 28–34 (recorded vote). - Hoyer amendment to restore GAO funding — adopted, 32–29 (recorded vote). - Aguilar amendment to allow DACA recipients to work in the legislative branch — adopted, 32–29 (recorded vote). - Amendment to require installation of a January 6 plaque honoring law enforcement — failed, 28–34 (recorded vote). - Torres amendment to rescind $400M reportedly tied to aircraft retrofit and transfer to GAO — failed, 26–34 (recorded vote). - Underwood amendment to extend federal PUMP Act protections to legislative-branch employees — failed, 28–33 (recorded vote). - Final motion to favorably report the FY2026 legislative-branch appropriations bill to the House — adopted, 34–28 (recorded vote). - Interim 302(b) subcommittee allocation updated to include the legislative-branch bill — adopted, 34–28 (recorded vote).

What’s next The bill is scheduled for action on the House floor after the Appropriations Committee completes remaining subcommittee allocations for the other fiscal-2026 appropriations bills and leadership resolves outstanding differences. Members said they intended to keep working on security and other contested items before final passage.