FY26 Appropriations Update

Senate leadership is considering merging four or five FY 2026 appropriations bills into a minibus package, which would encompass Commerce-Justice-Science, Defense, Labor-Health and Human Services (Labor-HHS), Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and possibly Interior. Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) plans to bring this package to the floor soon, potentially this week, but more likely next week.

On the other hand, House appropriators prefer advancing a smaller minibus that omits the two largest outstanding funding bills: Defense and Labor-HHS. A smaller package might have a smoother passage in the House. Such a package could secure Democratic support if it excludes the Labor-HHS bill, which contains several conservative provisions. Additionally, it might appeal to some far-right members who generally resist voting for a large spending package right before a holiday.