Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) has announced an agreement with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) on the remaining funding allocations for fiscal year 2026. This step is described as a key move in the ongoing appropriations process, aiming to provide more certainty as Congress works to pass full-year funding bills.
Cole stated, “This agreement provides a strong fiscal framework to complete FY26 and reflects our commitment to governing with clarity, effectiveness, and purpose. With fiscal responsibility guiding our work, we are advancing the appropriations process in a way that saves American taxpayer dollars. Our total funding allocation will be below the funding level projected in the continuing resolution for FY26, set to expire on January 30. This pathway forward aligns with President Trump’s clear direction to rein in runaway, beltway-driven spending. We will now begin expeditiously drafting the remaining nine full-year bills to ensure we are ready to complete our work in January.
“Our process will remain member-driven and transparent. Bills will be released with time for review, advanced in packages, and deliver on clear priorities for the American people. The nation deserves stability and a government that works for them. Completing the FY26 process through full-year appropriations will enact America First priorities, replace Biden-era policies, and eliminate the risk of yet another Democrat-manufactured shutdown in January.
“President Trump has already signed three full-year bills into law, demonstrating what responsible governance can deliver, and we intend to help him finish the job.”
The new agreement sets total spending below current projections outlined in the continuing resolution that expires soon. Full-year appropriations are being emphasized as necessary to advance Republican goals aligned with the current administration’s policies.
The House Committee on Appropriations is responsible for drafting twelve annual spending bills that allocate federal funds across government operations according to its official website. The committee also guides community project funding requests and influences policy by passing key legislation such as continuing resolutions.
Tom Cole serves as chairman of this committee and is noted as its 43rd chair since it was established on December 11, 1865 [source]. The committee plays a central role within the legislative branch of government [source].
This latest development continues efforts toward transparency and accountability in federal spending decisions by moving away from large omnibus bills toward a more deliberate process involving members at each stage.
