Technology

# National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 - Summary This comprehensive appropriations bill authorizes funding for U.S. diplomatic and national security programs for fiscal year 2026 with several notable funding allocations, restrictions, and policy directives. ## Key Funding Allocations - **$94 million** for global Internet freedom programs - **$160 million** for women's economic empowerment - **$40 million** for the Madeleine K. Albright Women's Leadership Program - **$200 million** for prevention of violence against women and girls - **$120 million** for women, peace, and security initiatives - **$737.6 million** for basic education (including secondary education) - **$216.8 million** for higher education - **$292.6 million** for biodiversity conservation - **$768 million** for food security and agricultural development - **$111 million** for activities to combat trafficking in persons - **$300 million** for the Countering Russian Influence Fund - **$1.7 billion** for the America First Opportunity Fund ## Major Restrictions and Prohibitions 1. **UN and International Organizations**: - Prohibits funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) - Prohibits funding for the UN Human Rights Council - Requires certification before funding UN entities - Withholds 25% of UN contributions if Taiwan isn't granted observer status 2. **Geopolitical Restrictions**: - Prohibits funding for the Russian Federation government - Prohibits funding for countries supporting Russian annexation of Crimea - Prohibits funding for countries recognizing independence of Russian-occupied Georgian territories 3. **Program Restrictions**: - Prohibits funding for drag queen workshops, performances, or documentaries - Prohibits funding for programs teaching concepts of systemic racism or sexism - Prohibits funding for transgender-related medical procedures for minors - Prohibits funding for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is endangered - Prohibits funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology or related research 4. **Gaza and West Bank Oversight**: - Requires certification of oversight policies to prevent funds from reaching Hamas - Mandates third-party monitoring of aid to Gaza - Requires regular reporting to Congress on aid usage - Prohibits admission and resettlement of foreign nationals from Gaza ## Other Significant Provisions - **Rescissions**: $4.3 billion in unobligated balances from previous appropriations are permanently rescinded - **Spending Requirements**: Mandates specific spend plans for various programs - **Anti-DEI Restrictions**: Prohibits funding for certain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives - **Human Rights**: Requires certification that all Department of State employees will receive anti-trafficking training - **Environmental**: Prohibits funding for climate change programs that violate Executive Order 14162 This bill represents a comprehensive approach to U.S. foreign assistance with significant restrictions on funding for certain countries, programs, and activities, while emphasizing oversight for funds provided to Gaza and West Bank.

HR 2564, the Protect Victims of Digital Exploitation and Manipulation Act of 2025, makes it a federal crime to create or distribute AI-generated intimate images of identifiable people without their consent. The bill specifically targets digital forgeries (like AI-altered images appearing authentic) depicting private body parts, sexual acts, or bodily fluids, affecting victims of non-consensual deepfakes. Key provisions include criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison for reckless distribution, while exempting law enforcement, medical use, and reporting unlawful content. It also limits liability for platforms that don’t recklessly distribute such content, defining "identifiable individual" as someone recognizable by face, features, or connected information. The law applies to U.S. citizens involved in the offense or as victims.

This bill reauthorizes federal grant programs supporting telehealth networks and resource centers through the Public Health Service Act. It provides $42.05 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these programs. The key provision is the specific, multi-year funding amount for existing telehealth infrastructure and support services. These grants directly support healthcare providers and community organizations that expand remote medical services. The bill makes no changes to program eligibility or structure, only extending funding authorization.

This bill amends Section 394 of Title 10, U.S. Code, to explicitly include "defense of critical infrastructure of the Department of Defense" within the authority for cyber operations. It directly affects Department of Defense (DoD) cyber operations personnel and the protection of DoD assets. The key change adds specific language to expand existing cyber operation authority and defines "critical infrastructure of the DoD" as assets so vital that a cyber attack against them would severely disrupt military missions. The bill does not change operational procedures but clarifies the scope of permissible cyber defense actions. This is a technical amendment focused on defining and expanding the legal basis for protecting DoD's essential cyber infrastructure.

HR 7280, the Veteran DATA Act, prohibits Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contractors from selling or misusing veterans' sensitive personal data. The bill requires all VA contracts to include clauses banning the monetization, sale, or misuse of covered information - such as health records and personally identifiable data - and mandates VA to issue compliance guidance within one year. It also requires the VA to submit a report to Congress detailing the new contract clauses, compliance guidance, and other implementation steps. This law directly affects veterans whose data is handled by VA contractors and aims to strengthen privacy protections for their personal information.

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a new department-wide policy and process to protect sensitive research and development projects from unauthorized access or disclosure during acquisitions. It directly affects DHS research programs by mandating specific security safeguards for their work. Key provisions include requiring DHS to develop this policy within one year, submit a GAO report on compliance with existing national security guidelines (NSPM-33), and provide a congressional briefing on implementing the new security framework. The bill focuses on establishing concrete security protocols for DHS research, not on funding or broader policy changes.

This joint resolution seeks to block a rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that would have prohibited creditors and credit reporting agencies from using medical debt in credit reports. The CFPB rule, published in January 2025, aimed to prevent medical information from affecting consumers' credit scores. If approved, this resolution would nullify the rule, meaning creditors and credit bureaus could continue using medical debt in credit decisions. The measure directly affects credit reporting practices and consumer credit evaluations.

HR 6267, the Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025, directs the Comptroller General to study challenges in adopting digital documentation across the aviation supply chain. The study will examine barriers for manufacturers, repair stations, airlines, and brokers in using digital tools like electronic FAA Form 8130-3, as well as the FAA’s transition from paper records and physical signatures to digital systems. It requires a report within one year of enactment, including recommendations to encourage digital adoption industry-wide and accelerate the FAA’s shift to digital documentation. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to identify pathways for modernizing supply chain verification to combat counterfeit parts. The Transportation Secretary must respond to recommendations within 120 days of the report’s submission.

This bill sets clear limits on class action lawsuits against credit reporting companies for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). For intentional failures to follow FCRA rules, it caps individual damages at $100,000 or 40% of total damages, and total class recovery at $500,000 or 1% of the company’s net worth. For negligent failures, it similarly limits total class recovery to $500,000, 1% of net worth, or 40% of actual damages. These changes directly affect credit bureaus (like Equifax or TransUnion) and creditors handling consumer credit data, preventing excessive damages in class actions. The bill harmonizes existing liability rules by adding specific, predictable financial limits to court awards.

This bill allocates $5 million annually (2026-2030) to states for collecting de-identified stillbirth data through existing health systems, including risk factor analysis. It also provides $1 million yearly to develop standardized guidelines for healthcare providers and public educational materials about stillbirths, requiring consultation with medical professionals, bereavement organizations, and affected families. The bill mandates that all data collection complies with privacy laws and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a public report on stillbirth guidelines within five years. It directly affects state health departments, healthcare providers, and families experiencing stillbirth by improving data quality and access to resources.