House CJS Appropriations Proposal Sustains Key Substance Use and Justice Programs in FY2026
- Addiction Policy Forum
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
On July 11, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill, which includes funding levels for key federal programs addressing substance use and the opioid epidemic. The proposal reflects continued bipartisan support for community-based prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, with modest increases to select programs.
CARA and COSSUP Programs
The bill increases funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) by $2 million, raising its total from $418 million in FY2025 to $420 million in FY2026. CARA supports a wide array of initiatives, including alternatives to incarceration, medications for addiction treatment (MAT), overdose prevention, and first responder training. The program is central in expanding access to evidence-based practices at the state and local level.
The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) is maintained at its current funding level of $189 million. COSSUP provides competitive grants to state, local, and tribal governments to develop coordinated responses to substance use, including support for drug courts, deflection programs, behavioral health services, and reentry supports for individuals with substance use disorders. The program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and is a critical tool in addressing both opioid and stimulant-related harms.
Second Chance Act and Reentry Programs
The bill allocates $106 million to the Second Chance Act (SCA) grant program, a decrease of $11 million from the FY2025 enacted level. SCA supports critical reentry services such as housing, employment, education, and family reunification for individuals returning to the community after incarceration. The funding reduction comes despite ongoing bipartisan support for SCA’s role in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration.
Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts, and Veterans Treatment Courts
The House bill maintains level funding of $89 million for drug courts, mental health courts, and veterans treatment courts in FY2026. These courts provide supervised treatment and recovery services as an alternative to incarceration for individuals with substance use or behavioral health disorders. Research has consistently shown that such court-based interventions reduce recidivism and improve long-term recovery outcomes, particularly when paired with wraparound support services. Continued funding underscores Congressional recognition of these courts’ value within the broader justice system.
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) is also level-funded at $40 million for FY2026. JMHCP facilitates collaboration between the criminal justice and mental health systems, supporting diversion programs, mental health courts, and crisis response initiatives. The program is designed to reduce incarceration rates among individuals with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders, while improving public health and safety outcomes.
Next Steps
The House CJS bill will now proceed to full committee markup and eventual floor consideration. Once passed by the House, it must be reconciled with a corresponding Senate proposal before final appropriations levels are enacted. Stakeholders across the substance use prevention and treatment fields are closely monitoring the process to ensure sustained investment in these life-saving programs.
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