Congress Appropriates LoC FY26 Funding, Has Yet to Act on IMLS

On November 12, Congress passed a “minibus”—distinct from omnibus—package to fund the operations of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for fiscal year 2026, as well as other legislative branch agencies including the Library of Congress and U.S. Copyright Office.

In the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill for FY26, Library of Congress funding remained at $852.2 million, equivalent to FY25 appropriations. Of that amount, the Library itself is allotted $592.4 million; the Copyright Office is promised $57.5 million for its operations; and the remainder is split between the Congressional Research Service ($136.1 million) and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled ($66.1 million). 

Prior proposals from the Republican-led House recommended reducing LoC funding by more than 10%, so the minibus brings a modicum of positive news. A spokesperson for LoC declined to comment on appropriations.

Advocacy organization EveryLibrary praised the outcome, while noting that a budget has yet to be secured for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Archives. John Chrastka, EveryLibrary executive director, emphasized that “this is a critical time for library advocates to engage with members of Congress, as well as state legislatures and governors, regarding the federal-state funding framework that supports library services nationwide.”