Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill

2025-09-09

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Summary

This meeting of the Appropriations Committee convened to mark up the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriation measure for fiscal year 2026, marking a long day due to numerous proposed amendments [ 00:37:06-00:37:18 ] . Chairman Ed Case emphasized the intention to complete all work on the bill today, despite anticipated recesses for floor votes [ 00:37:16 ] . The measure proved to be of critical importance to Americans, impacting public health and education across the nation [ 00:58:39 ]

Themes

Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill and Spending Priorities

The majority presented the bill as balancing responsible fiscal stewardship with maintaining key investments in biomedical research, schools, and public health . They emphasized building on the President's efforts to rein in out-of-control spending and a refreshing change in direction from the previous administration . The bill was stated to reflect a strong commitment to fiscal accountability while ensuring critical services are carried out effectively . Conversely, the minority strongly opposed the bill, citing proposed cuts of $24 billion, or more than 10%, for education, healthcare, and labor programs [ 00:57:57 ]

. They argued the bill would be disastrous for American families, worsening the cost of living crisis, and dismantling healthcare and public education systems [ 00:58:13 ] . Some members described the bill as "penny wise and pound foolish," leading to opposition due to its severe cuts [ 01:04:38 ] .

Education Funding and Policies

The majority highlighted that the bill increases support for school choice and maintains funding for Pell Grants and investments in early childhood education programs like TRIO and GEAR UP . However, the minority raised significant concerns about the bill's impact on education, noting a $12 billion (15%) cut to the Department of Education . These cuts reportedly include $4.7 billion from Title I, which could lead to the removal of 72,000 teachers from low-income classrooms . Additionally, funding for English language acquisition, teacher training programs, federal work-study for 222,000 students, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants was eliminated or severely cut . An amendment to restore Title I funds, aiming to protect 72,000 teaching positions, was proposed by the minority, but was opposed due to lack of offset and breaching allocation limits [ 03:40:56 ]

Health and Human Services Funding and Policies

The bill includes increased support for biodefense and rural hospitals, and maintains robust funding for biomedical research . It also codifies President Trump's efforts to terminate DEI policies, eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood, protects women's sports, and prohibits federal funding for gender-affirming care for children . The long-standing Hyde Amendment is maintained, ensuring taxpayer funds are not used for abortion [ 01:09:13 ]

. In contrast, the minority criticized the bill for eliminating $1 billion in HIV-AIDS prevention funding at the CDC and cutting $500 million from the Ryan White program . Funding for Title X family planning and teen pregnancy prevention programs was also eliminated . Concerns were raised about the politicization of vaccine policy under RFK Jr., including the firing of CDC scientific advisors and the potential for restrictions on vaccine access and coverage [ 02:24:27-02:24:40 ] . Amendments to protect childhood vaccines and maintain no-cost coverage were offered by the minority but were opposed for potentially increasing costs and hindering scientific process flexibility [ 02:24:11-02:24:16 ] [ 02:25:25-02:25:49 ] [ 02:40:16-02:40:33 ] .

Impact of Trump Administration Policies and Actions

The administration's actions were heavily scrutinized by the minority, particularly regarding the Department of Education's attempted elimination, OMB's freezing of billions in education funds, and HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine ideology . The politicization of science and NIH grants, as well as the alleged illegal impoundment of funds, were highlighted as undermining congressional authority and endangering public health . Cuts to the Department of Labor (30%) and Job Corps (50%) were presented as abandoning the working class and destroying job training programs . The renaming of workforce Pell Grants to "Trump Grants" was criticized as Orwellian and an attempt to rebrand programs after an administration that has not prioritized education .

Concerns for Vulnerable Populations

The bill drew criticism for harming vulnerable groups. The minority voiced strong opposition to cuts affecting seniors, such as the elimination of funding for Meals on Wheels, and questioned policies related to Social Security overpayments [ 05:23:18 ]

[ 06:23:18 ] . Amendments were proposed to restore Meals on Wheels funding and cap Social Security overpayment clawbacks at 10%, with the latter being accepted [ 05:23:18 ] . The elimination of the Women's Bureau was seen as an attempt to roll back women's workplace gains [ 08:13:02 ] . Cuts to SAMHSA programs affecting homelessness and addiction treatment were lamented, especially given the ongoing overdose crisis [ 07:40:34-07:40:36 ] .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a formal, albeit highly contentious, tone throughout the markup. While Chairman Ed Case called for courtesy and kindness among members, emphasizing robust yet cordial discussions, the debate was sharply partisan [ 00:37:19 ] . Majority members consistently emphasized fiscal responsibility and adherence to administrative priorities in their decisions to oppose amendments, often citing the lack of offsets or exceeding allocation limits [ 03:40:54 ]

[ 05:06:49 ] . Minority members, while acknowledging the call for civility, expressed deep frustration and exasperation with the proposed cuts and administration policies, using strong language like "disastrous," "malicious," "vindictive," and "reckless" [ 00:56:21-00:56:27 ] [ 00:58:13 ] . Despite the significant disagreements on most amendments, there were moments of bipartisan consensus, such as the manager's amendment and the acceptance of two amendments regarding Social Security services and medical education programs [ 06:19:37 ] .