Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2026 Budget and Appropriations

Congress typically considers 12 distinct appropriations measures on an annual basis to fund federal programs and activities. Since FY2008, one of these measures has been the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill, which has included funding for U.S. diplomatic activities; cultural exchanges; development, security, and humanitarian assistance; and participation in multilateral organizations, among other international activities. For FY2026, the Trump Administration is requesting $31.52 billion in new budget authority for SFOPS accounts, while at the same time requesting the rescission and cancellation of $22.30 billion of prior-year SFOPS funding. The FY2026 request, not including rescissions, represents a 41.0% decrease from FY2025 total enacted SFOPS funding. When including the proposed rescissions and cancellations, the request represents a 79.3% decrease from FY2025 enacted funding. Consistent with previous budget requests and annual SFOPS appropriations measures, the budget request divides SFOPS into two main components: Department of State and Related Agency. These accounts, which traditionally have been provided in Title I of the SFOPS bill, primarily support Department of State diplomatic and security activities. The Trump Administration is proposing $12.32 billion in new budget authority for Title I accounts in FY2026, a 28.1% decrease from total FY2025 enacted levels. Foreign Operations and Related Programs. These accounts, which have typically been provided in Titles II-VI of the SFOPS bill, have funded most foreign assistance activities. The FY2026 request includes a total of $19.20 billion in new budget authority for these accounts, a 47.1% decrease from total FY2025 enacted levels. On July 23, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee approved its FY2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations measure, H.R. 4779 (comparable to prior years SFOPS bills, just with a different title). The bill would provide $49.97 billion in new budget authority for NSRP accounts, or a net of $46.41 billion when including rescissions of prior year budget authority. Not including rescissions, H.R. 4779 would represent a 6.5% decrease from FY2025 enacted levels and a 58.5% increase from the President’s request for FY2026. When including rescissions of prior year funding and the Administration’s proposed cancellation included in the FY2026 request, the House Appropriations Committee bill would represent a 4.3% increase from FY2025 total enacted funding and a 403.6% increase from the President’s FY2026 proposal. Congress enacted legislation on November 12, 2025, P.L. 119-37, that included a continuing resolution (CR) to fund SFOPS/NSRP-supported federal government agencies in FY2026 at FY2025 levels. The CR extended funding through the earlier of January 30, 2026, or the enactment of a full-year appropriation. Table A-1 provides an account-by-account comparison of the FY2026 request with FY2025 enacted funding levels. Table A-2 offers a similar comparison focused specifically on the International Affairs budget (Function 150). Both appendices will be updated to reflect congressional action. Figure A-1 depicts the typical International Affairs budget account structure. This report tracks SFOPS budget requests and appropriations, comparing funding levels for accounts and purposes. It does not provide extensive analysis of international affairs policy issues. For in-depth analysis and contextual information on international affairs issues, consult the wide range of CRS reports on specific subjects, such as human rights, diplomatic security, and U.S. participation in the United Nations. For more information on SFOPS accounts, see CRS Report R40482, Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts.