National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026
This bill, H.R. 4779, is the annual appropriations act for fiscal year 2026 covering National Security, the Department of State and Related Programs, and related accounts. It sets the total funding levels and programmatic authorizations for the Department of State, U.S. foreign assistance (through the President and related agencies), and international security programs. In addition to providing funding, the bill includes various policy directives and protections—such as oversight requirements, protections related to human rights and family planning, and conditions on international organization funding and peacekeeping activities—that shape how the money may be used and what reporting or compliance is required. The bill also funds related independent entities (e.g., Peace Corps, MCC, NED) and international broadcasting, as well as defense and security support to foreign governments and partners. The bill overall advances U.S. diplomacy, development, and security priorities for 2026, including broad support for global health, democracy programs, humanitarian assistance, and international security cooperation, while embedding specific restrictions and accountability measures (e.g., on abortion-related activities, UN peacekeeping governance, and reporting to Congress). It authorizes multiyear or extended availability where noted and sets time frames for certain funds to remain available.
Key Points
- 1Funding scope for the Department of State and related programs: For diplomatic programs, security, and overseas operations, the bill provides a total of about $8.97 billion for general diplomatic activities, with significant components including $3.76 billion for Worldwide Security Protection and $781 million pouvant remain available through 2027; it also includes funding for consular and border security and related passport backlogs, and authorizes ongoing availability for embassy-related maintenance and security needs.
- 2Global health and HIV/AIDS with safeguards on abortion-related activities: The bill appropriates about $3.62 billion for global health activities and $5.895 billion for HIV/AIDS programs (through 2030), directing funding to a broad set of health, immunization, nutrition, and disease control activities. It also directs support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (approximately $1.5 billion) and imposes strict limits on abortion-related activities, including prohibitions on using funds to pay for abortion as a method of family planning, prohibitions on lobbying for or against abortion, and requirements for voluntary family planning with many safeguards.
- 3Nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, and security assistance: The bill provides about $870 million for nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs, and about $1.897 billion for international narcotics control and law enforcement. It also funds foreign military financing (FMF) at roughly $6.78 billion, and allocates money for professional training, equipment, and capacity-building of foreign security forces, with conditions on use and procurement.
- 4Democracy, governance, and development funding: The bill appropriates roughly $315 million for the National Endowment for Democracy, and $930 million for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), plus support for the United States Institute of Peace ($18.5 million) and other democracy-related programs. It also includes funding for regional or country programs and for international democratic governance activities.
- 5Peacekeeping, UN and international organizations oversight: The bill provides funding for international peacekeeping activities (about $410 million) and requires 15 days’ advance notice to the Appropriations Committees before voting on new or expanded UN peacekeeping missions. It also places reporting requirements on funding arrearages and requires certification that UN missions have effective anti-trafficking, anti-sexual exploitation and human rights protections, with attention to vetting and accountability. It earmarks contributions to international organizations (about $310 million) with procedural safeguards, including regular notifications and oversight.