Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Aderholt
Introduced
Summary
Major federal funding for Labor, HHS, and Education programs. This bill sets precise dollar amounts and program rules across job training, Medicaid and Medicare, NIH research, child care, national service, and a wide set of policy riders and prohibitions.
Show full summary
- Families and children: Provides major support for families by funding Medicaid state payments ($508.1 billion) and boosting child care with $8.7 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant. It also funds child-support enforcement, foster-care permanency, and energy-assistance programs.
- Workers and job training: Directs about $2.6 billion to the Employment and Training Administration with $285 million to expand registered apprenticeships and roughly $1.8 billion for state adult and dislocated-worker grants. Job Corps operations, Job Corps property rules, and UI administration grants are funded and constrained by salary caps and transfer rules.
- Health, research, and seniors: Backs biomedical research with ARPA-H at $945 million and large NIH institute allocations. Medicare and Medicaid financing lines include $593.8 billion for the Hospital Insurance and Supplemental Medical Insurance trust funds and targeted CMS program-management resources.
This bill also attaches many policy conditions and prohibitions covering immigration-related labor rules, Title X and abortion restrictions, DEI limits, national-security procurement limits, and rescissions of certain prior balances.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
55 provisions identified: 24 benefits, 14 costs, 17 mixed.
Big Medicaid funding for 2026
If enacted, Medicaid would receive about $508.1 billion that stays available until spent. Extra sums after May 31, 2026 would also remain available. Another $316.5 billion would be set aside for the first quarter of 2027.
Medicare funding and fraud prevention
If enacted, about $593.8 billion would go to Medicare trust funds for 2026, with more if needed for certain payments. Another $941 million would fight Medicare fraud through September 30, 2027, including at least $35 million for Senior Medicare Patrol.
More funding for unemployment offices
If enacted, states would get about $2.88 billion to run unemployment insurance. Wagner‑Peyser services and veterans’ employment would also receive set amounts. If projected insured unemployment rises above 3,075,000, an extra $28.6 million would be added for every 100,000 increase (prorated). Some funds would be available into 2027.
More job training and apprenticeships
If enacted, this bill would provide about $2.59 billion for workforce programs. It would fund adult and dislocated worker services and national programs, including registered apprenticeships. It would also let outlying areas file one consolidated WIOA grant to simplify access. Up to $450,000 in excess Labor Department equipment could be given to apprenticeship programs.
Funding for NIH and ARPA-H research
If enacted, NIH institutes would receive FY2026 funding with set‑asides, project caps, and NRSA allocations. ARPA‑H would receive $945 million available through September 30, 2028 for advanced health research.
Student loan relief rules paused
If enacted, the Education Department could not use these funds to carry out certain recent borrower‑relief and repayment rules. That could keep older rules in place and limit some discharge or repayment options.
Pull back unused health program funds
If enacted, the bill would cancel $12.835 billion from the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund. It would also rescind $183 million of unused ARPA balances and take back $1.613 billion from the Nonrecurring Expenses Fund by September 30, 2026. Up to $30 million of remaining balances could be moved to HHS cybersecurity.
Abortion funding mostly barred, with exceptions
If enacted, this bill would bar using these funds for abortions or for health plans that cover abortion. It would allow funding in cases of rape, incest, or when a doctor certifies the pregnant person’s life is at risk. States and private groups could still use non‑federal funds, and providers would be protected from some federal funding penalties if they do not provide or refer for abortions.
More funding for domestic violence services
If enacted, $240 million would support domestic violence prevention and services. Of that, $12 million would be used for programs under section 309. This would help shelters and support services for survivors.
More help with child care and heat
If enacted, $8.746 billion would go to child care help for low‑income families. At least 6% would go to Tribes, and up to 0.5% could cover federal admin costs. The bill would also provide $4.035 billion for low‑income home energy help. States that would receive less than 97% of their 2025 share would be raised to that level.
Support for foster care and adoption
If enacted, $6.843 billion would support foster care and related services in 2026, with $3.8 billion for the first quarter of 2027. The bill would also provide $75 million for state adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments, usable through September 30, 2027.
More money for Head Start services
If enacted, Head Start would receive about $12.27 billion. There would be set‑asides for Tribal college partnerships and for the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. Some funds would support research and administration, and certain supplemental funds would not raise future base grants.
More training, apprenticeships, and Job Corps
If enacted, this would add money for worker training and on‑the‑job learning. It would fund a $325.9 million reserve to help workers after layoffs, with set‑asides for Appalachia, Lower Mississippi, and community colleges. It would provide $285 million to expand registered apprenticeships from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Job Corps would get about $880.1 million for operations, construction, and other costs, with time limits on how long the funds are available. Trade Adjustment Assistance payments, training, and state costs would get $50.3 million for 2026.
Community grants can finance small-business loans
If enacted, $810.4 million would fund Community Services Block Grant payments and $35.4 million would fund section 680 activities. States could raise the CSBG income threshold to 200% of poverty for services funded in this bill and FY2025. Funds could finance construction, rehabilitation, and loans or investments in private businesses, with clear rules for ownership of intangible assets and program income.
Advances to keep unemployment checks flowing
If enacted, the Treasury could advance money to unemployment‑related trust funds as needed. These advances would be available through September 30, 2027. This would help states keep unemployment and related benefits going during cash shortfalls.
Social Services Block Grant for states
If enacted, $1.7 billion would go to states under the Social Services Block Grant in 2026. The bill would set the applicable percent for certain state programs under title XX‑A at 10%.
Pay caps on workforce program funds
If enacted, Job Corps money could not pay anyone above the Executive Level II rate. Employment and Training grants also could not be used to pay salaries or bonuses above that rate. Vendors are exempt, and states could set a lower cap for subrecipients.
Funds blocked for climate orders
If enacted, agencies could not use these funds to carry out several climate and clean energy executive orders. This would restrict climate‑related actions under this bill’s funding.
NIH overhead capped at 30 percent
If enacted, NIH grants from this bill to certain taxed colleges could not pay more than 30% for facilities and administration. Affected schools would recover less overhead from these awards.
No funds for syringe buys or sites
If enacted, these funds could not buy sterile needles or syringes for illegal drug injection. Other program work could continue if public‑health risk findings are made and local law allows it. No funds could run supervised consumption sites that allow use of Schedule I drugs.
Ban on DEI programs and trainings
If enacted, funds in this bill could not support DEI offices, training, or programs. It would also ban trainings that teach certain listed race or sex concepts. It would block funds for three named DEI‑related executive orders.
College funds tied to antisemitism rules
If enacted, colleges would need to ban antisemitic conduct in student and staff conduct policies to receive these funds. Schools that do not take administrative action for antisemitic acts using campus facilities could be blocked from funding.
Cut to some workforce funds
This bill would cancel $712 million in workforce funding that was made available on October 1, 2025. If passed, fewer dollars could be available for some state and local workforce services.
Breast screening uses pre-2009 advice
If enacted, until January 1, 2028, any law using “current” USPSTF breast screening recommendations would follow the version issued before 2009. This could change which screening services plans must cover during this period.
New rules for Title X clinics
If enacted, Title X applicants would need to encourage family participation for minors and counsel on resisting coercion. Providers would still have to follow state child‑abuse reporting laws. The bill would bar using these funds to require abortion referrals, and it would restrict funding for certain large family planning providers unless they certify they do not perform or fund abortions beyond narrow exceptions.
AmeriCorps: new match rules, veteran award
If enacted, new AmeriCorps grantees would need at least a 24% non‑federal match for their first three years. After that, normal rules and waiver options apply. One use of the AmeriCorps education award would be limited to veterans.
Overtime exemption for disaster adjusters
If enacted, for two years after a major disaster, some claims adjusters would be exempt from overtime rules. To qualify, they must earn at least $591 per week (or a higher set minimum), have required licenses, and do listed claims duties. This could lower overtime pay for some workers but help scale disaster response.
Limits on foreign labs and PRC ties
If enacted, these funds could not support gain‑of‑function research or certain foreign labs, including those tied to listed governments or designated adversaries. Colleges that partner in STEM with entities controlled by the Chinese government would lose eligibility for this bill’s funds.
New right to sue over funding rules
If enacted, the U.S. Attorney General, state attorneys general, and harmed people could sue over certain federal funding‑condition violations. Lawsuits could seek orders, money damages, and attorneys’ fees, and could name federal agencies or funding recipients.
PBGC admin cap and data-breach help
If enacted, PBGC admin spending would be capped at $494,264,000 for FY2026. If terminated participants exceed 100,000, PBGC could get $9.2 million more per additional 20,000 through September 30, 2030. Extra funds could cover credit‑monitoring costs over $250,000, capped at $100 per affected person, after approval steps.
Blocks several HHS and Medicare rules
If enacted, this bill would stop HHS and CMS from using these funds to carry out several listed rules and models. The list includes vaccine requirements, nondiscrimination and placement rules, minimum staffing standards for nursing homes, short‑term insurance rules, and a prior authorization model in traditional Medicare.
Farm guestworker wages frozen two years
If enacted, the H‑2A wage rate would be frozen at the January 31, 2023 level for two years. The bill would also block enforcement of certain H‑2A wage and worker‑protection rules. Employers could face fewer rule costs, while workers could see slower wage growth.
Limits on Job Corps closures and sites
If enacted, funds could not be used to end the Labor–Agriculture agreement. Most Civilian Conservation Centers could not close unless health and safety require it and capacity stays. The Secretary could sell or repurpose certain Job Corps properties, with sale proceeds used for specific Job Corps projects.
Pause on employee/contractor rule enforcement
If enacted, the Labor Department could not use these funds to run or enforce the 2024 rule on who is an employee or contractor. Employers might see fewer changes, while some workers could lose protections tied to employee status.
Tighter reprogramming; small Labor transfers
If enacted, agencies would face limits and advance notice before moving funds to change programs. The Labor Department could still shift up to 1% between programs (no more than a 3% increase to any one) with notice. The Secretary could also move up to 0.5% of ETA and certain Job Corps funds for program integrity and technical help.
No China-owned office tech for agencies
For FY2026, federal agencies would not be able to use this bill’s funds to buy certain office tech. That includes computers, printers, and interoperable video meeting services. The ban would apply if the maker, bidder, or its parent or subsidiary has any ownership by the People’s Republic of China. Purchases through third-party contractors would also be covered. This could narrow suppliers and raise costs for agencies and some vendors.
More ERISA enforcement support at Labor
If enacted, EBSA would receive $181.1 million, including up to $3 million through September 30, 2027 for expert witnesses. This would support enforcement of worker benefit laws and litigation.
Funding for federal workers’ comp office
If enacted, about $107.8 million would support the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. An added $2.18 million from a Special Fund would also be available. This would help run federal workers’ comp programs and process claims.
Parents could opt kids out of drills
If enacted, schools using these funds could not run student‑involved active shooter drills for kids under 16 unless parents can opt them out first. The opt‑out must be offered before the drill.
More time to use research funds
If enacted, research and evaluation funds for ACF, the Chief Evaluation Office, and some BLS work could be obligated through September 30, 2030. Offices could use one Treasury account and reuse unspent funds in the same or next year for the same purpose.
Protect beliefs on marriage from penalties
If enacted, these funds could not be used to take certain federal actions against someone for acting or speaking based on a sincere belief that marriage is one man and one woman. Covered actions include denying grants, contracts, licenses, tax benefits, or access to federal property.
Security officers for Labor leaders
If enacted, the Labor Department could employ law‑enforcement officers to protect the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and others when needed. Officers could carry firearms, investigate threats, and coordinate with local police under set guidelines.
More disclosure on grants and messaging
If enacted, agencies would notify Congress at least 3 business days before announcing most new competitive grants. Agencies’ ads, emails, and posts would have to say they were paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Grantees would have to disclose how much of each project is paid with federal and non‑government funds in public materials.
No buys from child forced labor
If enacted, these funds could not be used to buy goods or services made with forced or indentured child labor in listed industries and countries. The list follows the Department of Labor’s existing designations.
Contracts blocked if vets report missing
If enacted, federal contracts could not be awarded or renewed for companies that failed to file the required veterans employment report. This encourages reporting and supports oversight of veteran hiring.
Small set-aside for Labor evaluations
If enacted, the Labor Department could reserve up to 0.75% from listed accounts for program evaluations. The Chief Evaluation Officer must send a plan to Congress 15 days before any transfer. Funds would be available through September 30, 2027.
BARDA may sign multi-year contracts
If enacted, BARDA could use contracts lasting more than one year and up to ten years for certain research and countermeasures. Full funding or first‑year funds plus termination costs would be needed, and contracts must include a termination clause.
SS credits blocked after fraud convictions
If enacted, Social Security would not process work‑credit claims based on work done under someone else’s SSN when that work led to a conviction under specific fraud provisions. This would apply only to those conviction cases.
No funds to promote Schedule I legalization
If enacted, funds could not be used to promote legalizing Schedule I drugs. This would not bar normal government‑to‑Congress communications. It would not apply where strong medical evidence exists or federally sponsored trials are underway.
Small funds for agency receptions
If enacted, small amounts from agency salaries‑and‑expenses funds could pay for official receptions. Labor could use up to $28,000, Education up to $20,000, and two small boards up to $5,000 each.
No funding for abortion info or embryo research
If enacted, funds could not be used to provide abortion information or help people get abortions. Funds also could not support creating human embryos for research or research that destroys or seriously harms embryos.
Library funding tied to internet filters
If enacted, libraries covered by the law would need to submit Children’s Internet Protection Act certifications to receive LSTA funds. Libraries that do not certify would not get this money.
No lobbying or propaganda with these funds
If enacted, these funds could not be used to lobby for or against laws or regulations. Grantees and contractors could not be paid to influence policy, with limited exceptions. Normal executive‑legislative communications are allowed.
No national ID for patients yet
If enacted, agencies could not use these funds to adopt a national unique health identifier for individuals. This would not block identifiers used when someone acts as an employer or as a health care provider. Congress would need to pass a separate law first.
More flexibility for H-2B seafood hiring
If enacted, seafood employers with an approved H‑2B petition could bring workers in during a 120‑day window. Entries after day 90 would require a new local job search and offers to qualified U.S. applicants. The bill would also change wage rules and accept private wage surveys unless the data are not solid.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Aderholt
AL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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