Updated August 27, 2025: Added additional broad directives from the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Senate report
In a departure from typical appropriations practice, some fiscal year (FY) 2026 bills moving through Congress are being accompanied by committee reports with stern language and pointed directives regarding how funds appropriated in the bills get spent. Most of these directives are in Senate committee reports. They typically carry the force of law. The overall sentiment is well-summarized in the Senate’s Interior-Environment committee report: “The Committee is disappointed with the utter lack of regard for complying with Congressional intent on spending funds as appropriated.”
Whether these directives survive the entire appropriations process is anyone’s guess, but they signal an effort to rein in some of the administration’s budget actions and inactions.