Strong Applauds Final Passage of Three Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Bills
WASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Dale Strong, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, applauds the passage of three annual funding bills and Republican efforts to return to regular order.
“Before Democrats forced a six-week government shutdown, House Appropriators were making real progress toward responsibly funding the government through regular order. I’m thankful we can now get back to that work,” said Congressman Strong.
In addition to reopening the government by extending government funding through January 30, 2026, the package also provided consideration of three full-year Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Related Agencies
Legislative Branch
“We are doing what Democrats in Washington haven’t in years: full-year appropriations bills that bring fiscal responsibility and transparency to the American people by going line-by-line and ensuring spending matches Americans’ priorities and values,” said Strong. “It’s time to deliver on the remaining nine appropriations bills.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THREE APPROPRIATION BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW:
Agriculture:
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, funds programs that protect our nation’s food supply, support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, and ensure Americans in need have access to nutrition programs.
Strong was able to secure more than $6.2 million in Community Project Funding for two crucial rural development projects in AL-05.
Strengthens American farmers and ranchers by:
Prioritizing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to protect American agriculture from emerging diseases, such as New World Screwworm, chronic wasting disease, and avian influenza.
Providing critical investments in agriculture research, rural communities, and animal and plant health programs.
Champions American values and national security by:
Maintaining ‘Buy American’ provisions that maximize the federal government’s use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
Addressing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the tracking system of foreign-owned land, including purchases made by China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs:
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 funds programs and activities that support our active-duty service members and veterans. This includes investments in military housing, disability compensation, healthcare, and educational benefits.
Strong secured several wins for North Alabama including to advance the U.S. Space Command Headquarters process on Redstone Arsenal and to evaluate the criteria used by the VA to determine cemetery placement to ensure that North Alabama is fairly represented.
Champions our veterans by:
Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.
Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
Supporting President Trump’s efforts to end veteran homelessness
Upholds Conservative Values by:
Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans by preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.
Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.
Legislative Branch:
As a member of the Legislative Branch subcommittee, Strong played a key role in shaping its policies. The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026, provides full-year funding for Congress, its agencies, and operations, and provides for the safety and security of Members of Congress, while continuing to hold funding at responsible fiscal levels.
Safeguards taxpayer dollars and supports national security by:
Requiring unspent amounts from Members’ Representational Allowances (MRA) to be used for debt and deficit reduction.
Increasing funding for the U.S. Capitol Police.
Maintaining a freeze on pay increases for Members of Congress.
Restricting incentive or award payments to contractors for work on contracts or programs behind schedule or over budget.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the House and Senate must pass an annual budget through the Appropriations process. Through Appropriations subcommittees, the 12 bills are drafted, marked up, voted on, and conferenced between chambers. This process is often referred to as ‘regular order’. Before Senate Democrats shut down the government, the House Appropriations Committee passed all 12 bills out of committee and three bills through the full House.