The Senate Committee on Appropriations has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. The act, which passed with a vote of 27-1, aims to address infrastructure revitalization, aviation safety improvements, and housing challenges in the United States.
The bill allocates $400 million for defense funding and $99.8 billion for nondefense purposes. "It is critical that we make significant investments to modernize our air traffic control systems and improve our airports, roads, railways, bridges, and ports," stated Senator Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee. She emphasized the importance of ensuring safe and affordable housing across communities.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Chair of the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, highlighted the bipartisan effort behind the bill. “We’ve worked to achieve a strong bipartisan product that maximizes finite resources,” she said. The bill addresses various programs such as highway safety and homelessness prevention while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Key allocations include $26.5 billion for the Department of Transportation's discretionary budget authority and $73.3 billion for rental assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Independent agencies receive $423.7 million collectively.
