Building on President Trump’s Vision, FY26 Funding Strengthens America
Washington, D.C. – ICYMI: This week, President Trump delivered a historic State of the Union address, sharing the positive impact renewed leadership in the White House has had on our nation. Our Commander in Chief presented his vision for a strong America – a nation that has not yet reached its peak.
Touching on everything from public safety and energy to housing and economic growth, President Trump didn't just talk about Republican policy successes – he showed it with action and by sharing the real-life stories of the American people whose lives have been changed for the better thanks to our new path forward.
Real Americans are experiencing the benefits of lower inflation, thanks to President Trump's priority to eliminate wasteful and fraudulent spending.
Real Americans are safer in their communities, thanks to President Trump's restoration of security at our southern border and efforts to remove illegal immigrants.
Real Americans are looking forward to a brighter future, thanks to President Trump's investment in jobs and industrial growth on American soil.
Appropriators are working hand-in-glove with the Trump Administration to fund the programs and priorities that help ALL Americans – and ensure every taxpayer dollar is being spent wisely and efficiently.
Read Chairman Cole's statement following President Trump's address here.
"Together, we're building a nation where every child has the chance to reach higher and go further, where government answers to the people, not the powerful, and where the interests of hard-working American citizens are always our first and ultimate concern. That is the debt we owe to the heroes who came before us, and that is the promise we must keep to America for our 250th year."
President Donald J. Trump
President Trump's address centered around the themes of American excellence, hope, and gratitude. With the upcoming America 250 celebrations, millions of Americans are looking forward to honoring the rich history of our nation, the bold ideas that launched our republic, and the many ordinary people who have done extraordinary things for this nation we love.
Appropriators celebrate alongside the President and are working to ensure a safe and patriotic summer of remembrance and revelry for the American people. Our bipartisan, bicameral FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which passed the House earlier this year, provides resources to keep attendees safe at the America 250 celebrations, the FIFA World Cup, the LA 2028 Olympics, and more large-scale events happening around our nation.
"Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor, is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states, and in some places $1.99 a gallon. And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline... American oil production is up by more than 600,000 barrels a day, and we just received from our new friend and partner, Venezuela, more than 80 million barrels of oil. American natural gas production is at an all-time high, because I kept my promise to drill, baby, drill."
President Donald J. Trump
Four years of Biden Administration policies blocking American energy production and demonizing traditional energy sources resulted in drastic increases in prices at the pump.
President Trump has prioritized American energy production since he took the oath of office, working closely with Republicans in Congress to undo the harmful policies of the Biden Administration – and unleash U.S. energy.
Americans were thrilled to see the President of the United States say "drill, baby, drill" on the House floor – because they know that domestic energy dominance is key to lower prices and a more secure nation.
In the FY26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that President Trump signed into law last month, Appropriators invested in critical mineral extraction, nuclear development, and geothermal energy. These support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will provide reliable, affordable energy to the American people. In the FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, also signed into law last month, Appropriators increased funding for oil and gas development and prioritized domestic mining of critical materials to reduce our reliance on foreign countries.
"The Biden Administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country, but in 12 months, my administration has driven core inflation down to the lowest level in more than five years, and in the last three months of 2025, it was down to 1.7%. The stock market has set 53 all-time record highs since the election, boosting pensions, 401Ks, and retirement accounts for the millions and millions of Americans are all gaining. Everybody's up, way up."
President Donald J. Trump
The economy has been top-of-mind for millions of Americans as the nation recovers from the lingering impacts of Bidenflation. President Trump's efforts to cut wasteful spending and eliminate duplicative and fraudulent programs have given the economy a big lift. Americans are starting to feel relief from the last several years of pain.
Republicans understand the critical fact that when the government spends more, the American people have less. Appropriators have worked hard to provide hawkish oversight of federal spending, demanding accountability and transparency from federal agencies. That mission continues as we begin the FY27 funding process with robust oversight and meticulous attention to detail.
Across the twelve House-passed FY26 appropriations bills, spending was both reduced - when compared to a full-year continuing resolution - and reprioritized toward America First policies and priorities. We also ensured true savings – no gimmicks, no emergency spending, no shortcuts.
"Recently in Pennsylvania, I met Megan Hemhauser, a devoted mom who homeschools her children. Beautiful two children during the day, while waiting tables at night as her husband works overtime operating very heavy equipment. Megan is here this evening and she’s happy to tell you that she is so, so much richer because with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and our expanded child tax credit done again by Republicans, Megan and her husband will take home more than $5,000 extra just for the year, cutting her tax bill in more than half. Megan, please stand up. We’re fighting for you, Megan. Thank you, Megan. Thank you, Megan, we’re fighting for you Megan."
President Donald J. Trump
Thanks to President Trump and Republican leadership, historic tax relief is putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans. We are also transforming how families prepare for their children’s financial future. Under the new “Trump Accounts” pilot program, children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, are eligible for a $1,000 starter contribution from the Department of the Treasury – an early investment in opportunity and long-term financial security.
The Treasury Department’s ability to implement these initiatives is backed by the FY26 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, now law. This bill strengthens economic opportunity, supports small businesses and families, modernizes government operations, and protects taxpayers by refocusing IRS resources on customer service as Americans head into a historic tax filing season. Our investments equip departments to carry out their missions, support Americans, and advance prosperity.
"Today, our border is secure. Our spirit is restored... After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders, totally unvetted and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far. In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States. But we will always allow people to come in legally, people that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country. The flow of deadly fentanyl across our border is down by a record 56%."
President Donald J. Trump
After four years of open borders, Americans overwhelmingly supported President Trump's campaign promise to secure our border and deport the people here illegally.
Too many innocent Americans have been murdered. Too many have been assaulted. Too many criminal aliens have wreaked havoc on our streets and have smuggled astonishing amounts of deadly fentanyl across our borders and into communities across the nation.
Appropriators presented a bipartisan, bicameral negotiated bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, aid removal operations, continue construction of the wall, and support several other federal agencies under DHS that keep Americans safe – like FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA, and more. This deal included funding for body-worn cameras and enhanced training for law enforcement agents and officers, something both parties strongly support.
At the last minute, Senate Democrats backed out of the deal they negotiated and allowed funding to expire for DHS, forcing all DHS employees to work without pay for two weeks now.
"As we speak, Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It's all cut off. They have instituted another Democrat shutdown, the first one costing us two points on GDP, two points we lost on GDP, which probably made them quite happy actually. Now, they have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers. Tonight, I am demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the border security, homeland security, of the United States, and also for helping people clean up their snow. We have no money because of the Democrats, and it would be nice, we'd love to give you a hand at cleaning it up, but you gave no money. Nobody's getting paid. It's a shame... The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens."
President Donald J. Trump
A prolonged shutdown only hurts the American people. Democrats learned last fall that shutdown tactics will not achieve what they hope – in fact, they ended the 43-day shutdown without a single legislative win to show for it.
The longer this shutdown continues, the more pain the American people will feel.
Winter storms continue to ravage much of the country, but many of FEMA's operations are hampered. Our cybersecurity protections are weakened while CISA operates with just the bare bones of what they need. The Secret Service continues to protect our government officials without pay. The Coast Guard continues to intercept dangerous fentanyl and protect our ports of entry, all while they don't know when they'll receive their next paycheck. TSA operations at our airports are limited to the most essential functions.
These are real consequences. Democrats should listen to President Trump and end this shutdown as soon as possible.
"Starting last summer, I deployed our National Guard and federal law enforcement to restore law and order to our most dangerous cities, including Memphis, Tennessee – big success. New Orleans, Louisiana. A big success in our nation’s capital itself, Washington, D.C., where we have almost no crime anymore in Washington, D.C. How did that happen? In fact, crime in Washington is now at the lowest level ever recorded, and murders in D.C. this January were down close to 100% from a year ago. They don’t like to hear that."
President Donald J. Trump
The safety and security of our neighborhoods are paramount. After years of Democrats calling for defunding the police and advancing soft-on-crime policies, violence, crime, and drugs have devastated communities across the nation.
Republicans stand firmly with law enforcement and the families they protect. Our FY26 Defense Appropriations Act directly invests in the work of the National Guard. Our FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act also backs the blue by maintaining strong support for law enforcement and preserving robust funding for Byrne JAG formula grants and COPS Hiring grants that assist state and local law enforcement agencies. Strengthening federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships, supporting officer safety initiatives, and ensuring police departments have the tools they need to keep Americans safe are core to our work.
The fight against deadly drugs is also critically important. From the Homeland Security Appropriations Act’s investments in border security and interdiction, to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act’s support for the Drug Enforcement Administration to the Defense Appropriations Act’s counterdrug authorities, and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act’s funding for treatment and recovery - our FY26 appropriations measures deliver a coordinated, whole-of-government response to the fentanyl crisis.
"No one cares more about protecting America's youth than our wonderful First Lady... Over the past year, she has had an incredible impact championing AI legislation, advancing a landmark executive order on foster care, and helping secure $30 million to launch the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence initiative. It's a tremendous, really a tremendous, thing that happened and had a lot of bipartisan support... And students and educators in every state have joined the First Lady's efforts in the presidential AI challenge, keeping America's next generation position to succeed, and strongly succeed."
President Donald J. Trump
Empowering people and local communities through programs that support housing assistance for vulnerable Americans, economic development, and pathways to self-sufficiency were reflected throughout our legislation.
President Trump highlighted First Lady Melania Trump's Foster Youth to Independence program, which seeks to help foster children grow, achieve degrees, and succeed in their lives.
The First Lady's leadership has been instrumental. Appropriators on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee provided funding in their FY26 bill for this program, which was signed into law earlier this year.
"This will be a year to celebrate our country and the heroes who have kept it free. Men like Buddy Taggart. At age 17, Buddy volunteered to defend America in World War II, serving in the Pacific under the great general Douglas Macarthur. He fought bravely in the famous battle of Manila, worked so hard, he was badly wounded and almost killed by enemy machine guns in Luzon. And 81 years ago this month, he liberated the largest internment camp in the Philippines, one of the largest anywhere in the world. But he earned many honors, including a purple heart and a bronze star. Came home, started a family, and tonight he is in the gallery, looking forward to July 4, 2026, his 100th birthday. Buddy, you are a brave man and we salute you."
"There were many heroes on that January raid to capture Maduro... Chief Warrant Officer Five Eric Slover planned the mission and was the flight lead in the cockpit of the first helicopter, a big, beautiful, powerful helicopter, a massive Chinook carrying, as you can imagine, many, many American warfighters, wearing the dog tags his wife, Amy, had blessed with holy water before he left. She knew it was going to be a rough one. Eric steered the Chinook under the cover of night and descended swiftly upon Maduro's heavily protected military fortress... While preparing to land, enemy machine guns fired from every angle, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another. He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces... The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinge on Eric's ability to take the searing pain... Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious wounds, but I'm thrilled to say that he is here tonight with his wife, Amy. So we have a surprise, Eric and Amy, in recognition of Eric's actions above and beyond the call of duty, I would now like to ask General Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover with our nation's highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor."
"There is one last living legend to honor before we go. He is one more heroic American aviator, Navy fighter pilot Royce Williams served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, flying more than 220 missions. In the skies over Korea, in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime, a legendary dogfight, flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes. It was his first aerial combat of the war, and despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the takedown of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others, vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt. His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn't even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew. But tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before this evening. Royce, please stand up, and I will ask the First Lady of the United States to present Captain Royce Williams with his Congressional Medal of Honor."
President Donald J. Trump
President Trump honored several military heroes during his address.
He told stories of valor, of courage despite the odds, of men who refused to give up. These warriors represent the very best of the American spirit.
These reflections are added to the long and proud history of American military might. The men and women who fight for our freedoms deserve the best we have to offer them, which is what Appropriators have worked to provide.
The FY26 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, signed into law in November, champions our veterans by fully funding health programs and benefits. The bill combats veteran homelessness with crucial investments. Importantly, it modernizes veterans' health records, which will transform and streamline operations to get our veterans faster, higher-quality care.
"I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. And no nation should ever doubt America's resolve. We have the most powerful military on Earth. I rebuilt the military in my first term, we're going to continue to do so... We have to be strong, because hopefully we will seldom have to use this great power that we built together. It's really called peace through strength, and it's been very, very effective. So thanks to Republicans in Congress, we're investing that record number of dollars in the United States Armed Forces."
President Donald J. Trump
Investment in our national defense is of the utmost importance for Republicans.
President Trump is right – the safety of the planet relies on American strength. Bad actors around the world hoped to take advantage of a weakened America over the four years of the Biden Administration. American servicemembers were killed in Afghanistan. Thousands of lives have been lost in Ukraine. Unspeakable tragedies happened to innocents in Israel.
With President Trump, strength is back. He is ending wars around the globe and giving our military a reason to take pride in their nation and their work. With the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act recently signed into law, Appropriators are working closely with the Trump Administration to fund a future-proofed military that is prepared to tackle any challenge our adversaries throw at us.
Diplomacy plays a key role in our foreign policy strategy. Alongside the Trump Administration, Republican Appropriators are reviewing the way our government invests in programs that keep us safer at home and abroad.
With the FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, signed into law last month, Republicans are ensuring U.S. foreign policy resources are focused on core national security priorities, including deterrence, countering narcotics and human trafficking, confronting the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party, and combating terrorism. To that end, Appropriators also exercised oversight duties and this week delivered a requested report to the White House about deadly Christian persecution in Nigeria. Our work will continue to focus on defending lives, upholding religious liberty, and stopping terrorists.
"Because when the world needs courage, daring, vision, and inspiration, it still turns to America — and when God needs a nation to work His miracles, He knows exactly who to ask."
President Donald J. Trump
It was an inspirational speech that celebrated the very best of our nation. It was hopeful for our future and honest about the challenges we face. President Trump, a charismatic storyteller, shared a clear narrative of American exceptionalism and pride. We have a lot to be proud of – not the least of which is our gold medal hockey teams.
The State of Our Union is indeed strong, thanks to President Trump.
While the fanfare of the State of the Union Address fades once the President leaves the Capitol Building, the impact continues to resonate through Congress.
As always, Appropriators are strong partners with the Trump Administration as we work to make this nation stronger, safer, richer, healthier, and better for future generations.
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