Aderholt Remarks On H.R. 7148, The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

Madam Speaker: I rise today in support of the final FY26 appropriations package, which completes the culmination of hard work and fulfills our commitment to the American people. 

As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I was honored to lead the effort to rein in spending and secure an America First future, while also ensuring these bills provide funding for critical projects that support jobs and growth in our districts. 

I would like to thank Chairman Cole, for his longstanding leadership on the Labor-HHS bill and express my appreciation for Ranking Member DeLauro, who tirelessly champions her priorities for this bill. The bill on the floor today balances the need for responsible fiscal stewardship while maintaining key investments in biomedical research, schools, and public health. Thanks to negotiations on a bicameral, bipartisan level, funding decisions have moved through a deliberate, member-driven process that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and timely consideration. 

Labor–HHS priorities support the American people by demanding greater accountability while focusing resources where they matter most, including priorities to "Make America Healthy Again" and "Make America Skilled Again." These measures are part of an agreement that keeps total FY26 spending below the level projected under the current continuing resolution, delivering real savings for American taxpayers. Enactment and passage of full-year appropriations is vital to implementing provisions that keep our nation strong, secure, and competitive. 

In addition to thanking Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro, I want to thank the committee staff on both sides of the aisle, for the majority: Kathryn Salmon, James Redstone, Emily Goff, Kirk Boyle, Jaime Varela, and for the minority: Stephen Steigleder, Philip Tizzani, Laurie Mignone, and Jackie Kilroy. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I urge my colleagues to support the underlying bill and I yield back.