Overview of FY2027 Appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS)

Contents

• Overview of CJS
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Science Offices and Agencies
• Related Agencies
• FY2026 Enacted Appropriations
• FY2027 Administration's Request
• Advance Appropriations

Summary

This report describes actions to provide FY2027 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. The annual CJS appropriations act provides funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce, which includes bureaus and offices such as the Census Bureau, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which includes agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Science Foundation; and several related agencies such as the Legal Services Corporation and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

On January 23, 2026, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-74) was signed into law by President Trump. The act provided a total of $82.619 billion for CJS departments and agencies, which included $11.132 billion for the Department of Commerce; $37.079 billion for the Department of Justice; $33.196 billion for the science agencies; and $1.212 billion for the related agencies.

The Administration requests a total of $75.159 billion for CJS for FY2027, which is $7.460 billion (-9.0%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation. The Administration's request for CJS includes $9.748 billion for the Department of Commerce, which is $1.385 (-12.4%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation; $41.887 billion for the Department of Justice, which is $4.807 billion (+13.0%) more than the FY2026 regular appropriation; $22.800 billion for the science agencies, which is $10.396 billion (-31.3%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation; and $725 million for the related agencies, which is $487 million (-40.2%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation.

This report describes actions to provide FY2027 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. This report also provides information on FY2026 appropriations for CJS. (Enacted funding for CJS for FY2017–FY2026 is provided in Table A-1.) The dollar amounts in this report reflect only new appropriations made available for each fiscal year; therefore, the amounts do not include any rescissions of unobligated or deobligated balances that may be counted as offsets to newly enacted appropriations, nor do they include any scorekeeping adjustments (e.g., the budgetary effects of provisions limiting the availability of the balance in the Crime Victims Fund). In this report, percentage changes are calculated using whole (not rounded) numbers, meaning that in some instances there may be small differences between the actual percentage change and the percentage change that would be calculated by using the rounded amounts discussed in the report. In some instances, amounts in this report differ from amounts for the same account in previous editions of Congressional Research Service CJS appropriations reports because past reports did not reflect supplemental budget requests or because there were differences in how legislative proposals are scored by the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office.

Overview of CJS

The annual CJS appropriations act provides funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Justice, select science agencies, and several related agencies. Appropriations for the Department of Commerce include funding for bureaus and offices such as the Census Bureau, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Appropriations for DOJ provide funding for agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Prisons; the U.S. Marshals; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with funding for a variety of public safety-related grant programs for state, local, and tribal governments. The vast majority of funding for the science agencies goes to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation.¹ The annual appropriation for the related agencies includes funding for agencies such as the Legal Services Corporation and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

U.S. Department of Commerce

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to "create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities."² The department "works to drive U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthen domestic industry, and spur the growth of quality jobs in all communities across the country."³ It has wide-ranging responsibilities including trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, monitoring the environment, forecasting weather, managing marine resources, and statistical research and analysis. The department pursues and implements policies that affect trade and economic development by working to open new markets for U.S. goods and services and promoting pro-growth business policies. It also invests in research and development to foster innovation.

The agencies within the Department of Commerce, and their responsibilities, include the following:

• Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is a federal statistical agency that promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-effective manner;
• Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) works to ensure an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promote continued U.S. leadership in strategic technologies by maintaining and strengthening adaptable, efficient, and effective export controls and treaty compliance systems, along with active leadership and involvement in international export control regimes;
• Census Bureau is a federal statistical agency that collects data and disseminates information about the U.S. economy, society, and institutions, which fosters economic growth, advances scientific understanding, and facilitates informed decisions;
• Economic Development Administration (EDA) promotes innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy;
• International Trade Administration (ITA) seeks to strengthen the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, promote trade and investment, and ensure fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements;
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) promotes the growth and competitiveness of minority owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research;
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life;
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, fisheries management, coastal restoration, and support of marine commerce;
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) advises the President on communications and information policy; and
• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) fosters innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth domestically and abroad by providing high-quality and timely examination of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property (IP) policy, and delivering IP information and education worldwide.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

DOJ's mission is to "uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights."⁴ DOJ also provides legal advice and opinions, upon request, to the President and executive branch department heads.

The major DOJ offices and agencies and their functions are as follows:

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) enforces federal law related to the manufacture, importation, and distribution of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives;
• Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) aims to advance the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources;
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigates federal drug law violations; coordinates its efforts with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; develops and maintains drug intelligence systems; regulates the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of legitimate controlled substances; and conducts joint intelligence-gathering activities with foreign governments;
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates violations of federal criminal law; helps protect the United States against terrorism and hostile intelligence efforts; provides assistance to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; and shares jurisdiction with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation of federal drug violations;
• Federal Prison System (Bureau of Prisons; BOP) houses offenders sentenced to a term of incarceration for a federal crime and provides for the operation and maintenance of the federal prison system;
• Office of the United States Attorneys (USAO) prosecutes violations of federal criminal laws, represents the federal government in civil actions, and initiates proceedings for the collection of fines, penalties, and forfeitures owed to the United States;
• Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
• Office of Justice Programs (OJP) manages and coordinates the activities of the Bureau of Justice Assistance; Bureau of Justice Statistics; National Institute of Justice; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; and Office for Victims of Crime; and
• United States Marshals Service (USMS) provides security for the federal judiciary, protects witnesses, executes warrants and court orders, manages seized assets, detains and transports alleged and convicted offenders, and apprehends fugitives.

Science Offices and Agencies

The science offices and agencies support research and development and related activities across a wide variety of federal missions, including national competitiveness, space exploration, and fundamental discovery.

• Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) provides the President and others within the Executive Office of the President with advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require the attention of the federal government.⁵ The OSTP director also manages the National Science and Technology Council,⁶ which coordinates science and technology policy across the executive branch of the federal government, and co-chairs the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology,⁷ a council of external advisors that provides advice to the President on matters related to science and technology policy.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) supports basic research and education in the nonmedical sciences and engineering. The foundation was established as an independent federal agency "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes."⁸ The NSF is a primary source of federal support for U.S. university-based research in the nonmedical sciences and engineering. It is also responsible for significant shares of the federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education program portfolio and federal STEM student aid and support.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created to conduct civilian space and aeronautics activities.⁹ It has five mission directorates. The Space Operations Mission Directorate and the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate are responsible for human spaceflight activities. The Science Mission Directorate manages robotic science missions, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Mars rover Curiosity, and satellites for Earth science research. The Space Technology Mission Directorate develops new technologies for use in future space missions, such as advanced propulsion and laser communications. The Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate conducts research and development on aircraft and aviation systems. In addition, NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (formerly the Office of Education) manages education programs for schoolchildren, college and university students, and the general public.

Related Agencies

The annual CJS appropriations act includes funding for several related agencies:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information;
• International Trade Commission investigates the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on domestic industries and conducts global safeguard investigations, adjudicates cases involving imports that allegedly infringe intellectual property rights, and serves as a resource for trade data and other trade policy-related information;
• Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a federally funded nonprofit corporation that provides financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans;
• Marine Mammal Commission works for the conservation of marine mammals by providing science-based oversight of domestic and international policies and actions of federal agencies with a mandate to address human effects on marine mammals and their ecosystems;
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries;
• State Justice Institute is a federally funded nonprofit corporation that awards grants to improve the quality of justice in state courts and foster innovative, efficient solutions to common issues faced by all courts; and
• U.S. Commission on Civil Rights informs the development of national civil rights policy and enhances enforcement of federal civil rights laws.

FY2026 Enacted Appropriations

On January 23, 2026, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-74) was signed into law by President Trump. The act provided a total of $82.619 billion for CJS departments and agencies, which is $185 million (+0.2%) more than the FY2025 regular appropriation for CJS.¹⁰ The act included the following:

• $11.132 billion for the Department of Commerce, which is $744 million (+7.2%) more than the FY2025 regular appropriation;
• $37.079 billion for the Department of Justice, which is $178 million (+0.5%) more than the FY2025 regular appropriation;
• $33.196 billion for the science agencies, which is $712 million (-2.1%) less than the FY2025 regular appropriation; and
• $1.212 billion for the related agencies, which is $26 million (-2.1%) less than the FY2025 regular appropriation.

In addition to the amounts provided by P.L. 119-74, there is also $1.391 billion in advance appropriations provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, P.L. 117-58) and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (P.L. 117-159) that were available to CJS agencies for FY2026 (see Table 2).

FY2027 Administration's Request

The Administration requests a total of $75.159 billion for CJS for FY2027, which is $7.460 billion (-9.0%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation. The Administration's request for CJS includes the following:

• $9.748 billion for the Department of Commerce, which is $1.385 (-12.4%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation;
• $41.887 billion for the Department of Justice, which is $4.807 billion (+13.0%) more than the FY2026 regular appropriation;
• $22.800 billion for the science agencies, which is $10.396 billion (-31.3%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation; and
• $725 million for the related agencies, which is $487 million (-40.2%) less than the FY2026 regular appropriation.

The Administration's FY2027 budget requests funding for most Commerce accounts at a level below their FY2026 enacted levels, with a few exceptions. The Administration request increased funding for the Census Bureau's Periodic Censuses and Programs account (+$551 million, +47.0%); BIS (+$215 million, +91.5%); departmental management funding for the Commerce Department (+$120 million, +128.2%); NOAA's Procurement, Acquisitions, and Construction account (+$70 million, +4.4%); and the Economic and Statistical Analysis account (+$2 million, +1.3%). While the Administration requests funding for EDA and MBDA, the amounts requested are for conducting an orderly shutdown of both agency's operations: the Administration proposes shuttering both agencies in their FY2027 budget. In addition, the Administration did not request funding for NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership for FY2027. The Administration also proposes moving the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from the Department of Labor to the Department of Commerce, and the FY2027 budget request for Commerce includes $600 million for BLS.

The Administration proposes increasing funding for many of DOJ's accounts for FY2027. The Administration also proposes moving the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to DOJ. The Administration did not request funding for the Community Relations Service (CRS) because, according to the Administration, CRS's functions have been integrated into the Executive Office for the U.S. Attorneys. The Administration did not request funding for interagency law enforcement assistance; funding for this purpose was included in the requests for DOJ's law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Attorneys, and the Criminal and National Security Divisions. The Administration proposes reduced funding for the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance account (-$781 million, -32.6%), the Community Oriented Policing Services account (-$497 million, -62.1%), BOP's Buildings and Facilities account (-$101 million, -36.2%), OVW (-$81 million, -13.1%), the Juvenile Justice Programs account (-$65 million, -17.3%), and the Office of the Inspector General (-$41 million, -29.8%). Under the Administration's budget, the cap on the Crime Victims Fund would decrease by $50 million (-2.6%).

The Administration's budget request would decrease funding for NASA relative to the FY2026 enacted level (-$5.609 billion, -23.0%). The Administration requests less funding for all of NASA's accounts compared to their FY2026 enacted levels, with the exception of the Exploration account (+$731 million, +9.4%). The Administration's budget proposes eliminating funding for the STEM Engagement account.

The Administration requests $4.787 billion (-54.7%) less for NSF for FY2027 compared to the FY2026 enacted level. The Administration requests less for nearly all of NSF's accounts compared to their FY2026 enacted levels, and it proposes eliminating funding for the STEM Education account. The Administration proposed a $5 million (+$1.3%) increase for NSF's Agency Operations and Award Management account.

The Administration proposes reducing funding for several of the related agencies, though there are proposed increases for some others. The Administration requests funding for the Legal Services Corporation and the Marine Mammal Commission in its FY2027 budget, but the funding is for an orderly closure of both agencies. Two other related agencies—the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the State Justice Institute—would receive less funding under the Administration's budget request. The Administration's FY2027 budget proposes increased funding for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the International Trade Commission, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The authorization for transfers from the Trade Enforcement Fund expire at the end of FY2026, so the Administration requested funding for operations supported by these transfers under the U.S. Trade Representative Salaries and Expenses account.

Advance Appropriations

As shown in Table 2, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, P.L. 117-58) provided advance appropriations for FY2026 for one NTIA program and two NOAA accounts.¹¹ The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (P.L. 117-159) also provided advance appropriations for FY2026 for DOJ grant programs under the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance and Community Oriented Policing Services accounts.

Appendix. Historical Funding for CJS

Footnotes