Business meeting to markup an original bill entitled, "Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026", and an original bill entitled, "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026".

2025-07-24

Summary

This Appropriations Committee meeting convened to consider and advance two significant fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills: the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies legislation and the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) bill[ 00:28:07-00:28:09 ]

. Both bills were presented as products of strong bipartisan collaboration and received broad support from committee members, despite ongoing political challenges and a challenging fiscal environment[ 00:28:49-00:29:01 ] [ 00:30:26 ] . The committee ultimately voted to favorably report both bills for consideration by the full Senate[ 00:35:59 ] .

Themes

Bipartisan Collaboration and the Appropriations Process

The meeting emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation in crafting these appropriations bills[ 00:30:26 ]

. Chair Collins highlighted that 89 senators submitted over 8,500 requests, demonstrating broad member input and the committee's ability to produce legislative products with support from both sides of the aisle. Vice Chair Murray noted that the bills represented "serious bipartisan compromises" that rejected harmful cuts proposed by the previous administration and House Republicans, preventing a potential government shutdown. Several members, including Senator Murkowski and Senator Merkley, acknowledged that while the bills were not "perfect" for any single member, they represented a significant achievement in finding middle ground and building trust.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill

This bill provides resources for managing public lands, promoting conservation, and fostering economic development through energy programs[ 00:29:46-00:29:56 ]

. Key investments include protecting national parks, supporting tribal programs across all 50 states, ensuring clean air and water, and equipping federal firefighters to suppress wildfires[ 00:29:56-00:30:01 ] . It also funds efforts against invasive species and protects national park systems, which generate substantial economic impact[ 00:30:03-00:30:21 ] . A debated amendment by Senator Heinrich, aimed at mandating minimum staffing levels for the Park Service and Forest Service, was ultimately not agreed to due to concerns about fixing staffing to a specific historical date.

Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) Bill

The T-HUD bill prioritizes modernizing the nation's air traffic control system, including hiring 2,500 additional controllers and 91 safety inspectors, and investing in upgrades for equipment and infrastructure. It also addresses critical transportation and infrastructure needs, from highways and bridges to railways and ports. A major focus is on the housing crisis, providing funding for rental assistance programs for 4.6 million families, tackling homelessness (especially for youth, veterans, and domestic violence victims), and spurring affordable housing creation through programs like HOME and CDBG. Senator Moran specifically highlighted the bill's commitment to aviation safety following a tragic mid-air collision, which led to a $2 million study for the D.C. airport airspace.

Rescissions and Congressional Authority

A significant portion of the T-HUD bill discussion centered on Senator Merkley's amendment to safeguard the committee's authority over rescissions. The amendment sought to prevent the executive branch from unilaterally deferring or rescinding funding from the FY26 T-HUD bill, arguing that such actions should originate from the Appropriations Committee on a bipartisan basis. Vice Chair Murray and Senator Gillibrand strongly supported the amendment, emphasizing the importance of protecting the "power of the purse" and the bipartisan work of Congress from partisan actions by the administration[ 01:27:27-01:27:37 ]

. Chair Collins and Senator Hyde-Smith opposed the amendment primarily on jurisdictional grounds, stating that rescission policy falls under the Budget Committee's purview, though Collins affirmed her commitment to increased collaboration with the administration on rescissions[ 01:20:20 ] [ 01:28:48-01:28:53 ] [ 01:28:55-01:29:11 ] . The amendment was ultimately rejected[ 01:39:33 ] .

Tone of the Meeting

The overall tone of the meeting was highly collaborative and respectful, with frequent commendations for bipartisan efforts and staff dedication[ 00:30:26 ]

. While acknowledging a "challenging fiscal environment" and political divisions, there was a hopeful sentiment that the committee's bipartisan work could continue to overcome these obstacles and set a positive example[ 01:40:23-01:40:32 ] . However, the discussion on rescissions introduced a firm and assertive undertone, as members expressed strong concern and a defensive posture regarding the committee's constitutional "power of the purse" against perceived executive overreach[ 01:27:27-01:27:37 ] .