Final FY 2026 Spending Bills: Key Highlights Revealed
The U.S. Congress is progressing towards finalizing the fiscal year 2026 spending bills. Appropriators from both the House and Senate have introduced a four-bill “minibus” package. This initiative aims to manage federal expenditures before the current continuing resolution ends on January 30, 2026.
Highlights from the Spending Bills
- Defense and Security Funding: The package covers appropriations for key departments, including Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.
- Pay Raise for Air Traffic Controllers: A 3.8% salary increase for air traffic controllers is included, with a total budget of $1.58 billion allocated to the FAA for FY 2026. This funding will also support the hiring of 2,500 new controllers, addressing significant workforce shortages.
- Health and Human Services (HHS) Budget: The Department of Health and Human Services will receive $116.8 billion, reflecting a $210 million increase. This contrasts with previous proposals for deep cuts to HHS discretionary spending.
- Labor Department Budget: The Labor Department’s budget has been set at $13.7 billion, preserving essential functions of its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
- Education Department Funding: Congress secured $79 billion for the Education Department, ensuring its budget remains stable despite prior proposals for cuts.
- Social Security Administration Budget: The SSA will obtain $15 billion, marking an increase that will help improve public service delivery as the agency resumes hiring.
Workforce Adjustments and Budget Efficiency
The fiscal 2026 spending plan also emphasizes workforce efficiency. The Transportation Department and HUD are seeing reductions in their workforce. GOP members indicated that this move reflects a 29% decrease in federal bureaucracy within these departments.
Controversies and Rejections
Lawmakers have rejected attempts to impose significant cuts on several agencies, including HHS and SAMHSA. The proposed downsizing measures were not implemented, as Congress aims to maintain vital services in mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Furthermore, the budget decisions reflect a bipartisan effort to uphold federal programs against previous administrations’ proposed eliminations. The finalized spending package showcases Congress’s commitment to increased funding rather than drastic reductions.
As the deadline approaches for the continuing resolution, Congress is working diligently to finalize and pass these spending bills, aiming to improve federal workforce conditions and sustain critical services for its citizens.
