Congress Sneaks AI Policy into Spending Package as Standalone Bills Stall

Congress passed a comprehensive spending package last week. Tucked inside were provisions that could reshape how the federal government uses artificial intelligence. The fiscal year 2026 five-bill spending package, H.R. 7148, cleared the House 217-214 on February 3.The package spreads AI provisions across multiple appropriations bills. The bill allocates an additional $40 million for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, specifically for trilateral cooperation under AUKUS Pillar 2. The funding covers undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, AI and autonomy, advanced cyber, and hypersonic weapons.The Bureau of Labor Statistics received specific direction to evaluate AI's impact on the economy, including job loss, creation, and displacement. The Federal Communications Commission must brief Congress within 60 days on illegal AI-generated robocalls.The Treasury Department has 270 days to report on how AI and machine learning are incorporated into sanctions, anti-money laundering, and intelligence-gathering programs. The National Institutes of Health continues receiving $135 million for its Office of Data Science Strategy.The provisions reveal Congressional priorities: defense applications, economic impact assessment, and using AI to improve government operations. What is missing is equally telling. There are no binding safety requirements for AI systems, no transparency mandates for large language models, and no comprehensive framework comparable to the European Union's AI Act.