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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the consolidated appropriations package before the House today.  

With this legislation, we are a step closer to completing full-year appropriations that right-size our priorities with updated funding levels. 

As Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, I'd like to highlight the THUD division of this package. But, before I do, I'd like to thank Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim Clyburn for his partnership. 

The THUD division is a deliberate shift away from bloated bureaucracy and unfocused spending, and back toward the core responsibilities of the federal government.

This agreement supports the President's America First agenda by cutting waste, eliminating unnecessary and underperforming programs, and codifying reforms that significantly reduce the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy across THUD agencies. 

This bill refocuses taxpayer dollars on priorities that matter to the American people-safety, mobility, economic growth, and housing affordability.

We make aviation safety a top priority by providing $22.2 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, fully funding air traffic control operations, hiring 2,500 new controllers, and modernizing outdated facilities and equipment to ensure the safety and reliability of our national airspace system.

We invest more than $64 billion in highways, with the overwhelming majority sent directly to states by formula, because states-not Washington-are best positioned to deliver roads and bridges that improve safety, strengthen freight movement, and support local economies. This bill also addresses long-standing safety challenges, including truck parking and motor carrier enforcement.

At the same time, we preserve housing assistance for the most vulnerable while promoting affordability through flexible, locally driven programs that allow communities to expand housing supply without federal micromanagement. 

We protect seniors, people with disabilities, and families facing homelessness while ensuring these programs are managed responsibly.

Just as importantly, this bill exercises strong oversight by eliminating funding for failed and mismanaged projects like California high-speed rail, reducing transit programs, and right-sizing staffing levels at HUD and DOT-all without compromising safety or mission effectiveness.

Now while I'm extremely proud of the THUD division of this package, I'd be remiss if I didn't express my strong support for the other divisions of the package. 

In providing for the Common Defense, this legislation strategically increases funding to ensure our military continues to be the most lethal in the world. 

It provides full-year funding for the Department of Defense, ensuring our warfighters are fully equipped and ready for any conflict. It prioritizes funding for servicemember quality of life through a well-deserved pay raise. It supports programs like the F-35 FMS mission at Ebbing Air Force Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the E-7 Wedgetail-both of which ensure our military and allies have the capabilities they need to deter threats across the globe. 

This bill does what Congress should have been doing all along: prioritizing our national security and the men and women who defend it. 

This legislation also makes investments in biomedical research. Congress doesn't create cures or develop medical breakthroughs, but we can implement policies here in Washington that provide the resources needed to support our experts. 

Moreover, this agreement proves that fiscal discipline and commonsense investments are not mutually exclusive. It cuts what doesn't work, funds what does, and delivers real results for taxpayers.

And, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and relentless diligence in leading the charge to complete Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations. While some of my colleagues would be fine with, or even expressed support for, a full-year continuing resolution, I must disagree. Operating on outdated spending levels from two years ago is not a responsible way to govern. 

This legislation before us today is a direct reflection of the commitment and dedication of Chairman Cole and the entire House Appropriations Committee to fulfill Congress's Article I responsibility. 

I urge a yes vote on this legislation and I yield back.