Peace Officers Research Association of California

Federal Advocacy

Justice Funding Takes Shape as Congress Advances FY26 Priorities

Congress Prepares for Vote on CJS Funding. Congress returned from the holiday recess the week of January 5, rested and ready to move forward with fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding bills. On the 5th, congressional appropriators released the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill as agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators. It is included as part of a three-bill package, along with the Energy and Water and Interior appropriations bills. This release came ahead of the January 31 deadline, when funding for Justice Department programs is set to expire.

Of note for law enforcement, the Department of Justice will see a slight overall funding increase under the final bill, rising to $37 billion. Key highlights include:

• COPS Programs – Funding will rise significantly from $417 million to $800 million.
• COPS Hiring – Maintained at approximately level funding ($253 million).
• State and Local Law Enforcement Grants (Office of Justice Programs) – Increase from $2 billion to $2.4 billion.
• Byrne JAG – $964 million (up from $499 million in FY25).
• COPS Anti-Meth and Anti-Heroin Task Force Programs – Despite the Administration’s proposal to eliminate these programs, both will continue, though at slightly reduced funding levels: $13.5 million for the Anti-Meth program and $34.5 million for the Anti-Heroin program.

HIRRE Prosecutors Act Reintroduced. On December 11, Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Don Bacon (R-NE-2) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors Act (HIRRE Prosecutors Act) of 2025. The bill, which PORAC has endorsed in previous years, would establish a competitive federal grant program, modeled after the COPS Hiring Program, to support investments in the hiring, training, and retention of prosecutors and staff.

A Senate companion measure (S.3438) was introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), underscoring strong bipartisan support for the initiative across both Chambers. PORAC President Brian Marvel’s statement in support of the legislation was featured in the House bill sponsors’ press release.