Rule for HR 6938 – FY 2026 2nd Minibus

Yesterday, the House Rules Committee completed their work on the rule for consideration of HR 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. That rule, H Res 977, addresses the consideration of three bills, but sections 3 thru 6 apply directly to the spending bill.

Section 4 of the rule provides for an unusual voting process for the bill. After the limited debate on the bill, the House will conduct two procedural votes. The first will determine if Division A (CJS spending provisions) will be retained in HR 6938. The second will determine if Divisions B and C will be retained. As long as at least one division is retained, the House will then vote upon passage. This process would seem to indicate that there is significant opposition (at least in the Republican Caucus) to the CJS portion of bill. This gives those opposing that Division a chance to formally voice their opposition. I doubt that there will be sufficient votes to remove Division A from the bill.

The House took up H Res 977 yesterday. After the pro forma debate the recorded debate was conducted. The Republican leadership needed to do some on-the-floor arm twisting on an extended vote to get passage on a straight party-line vote of 214 to 212.

Debate on the bill and votes are scheduled for this afternoon.