The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act with a vote of 217 to 214. The bill, which previously passed the Senate by a vote of 71 to 29, now moves to the President for signature.
The legislation allocates $50 billion in discretionary funding. It is designed to provide security assistance to key allies, counter international drug trafficking, and support global health initiatives.
Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, stated: “Recognizing America’s leadership in the world, this legislation invests in programs that play a critical role in our national security. This bill also provides funding to counter aggression from the People’s Republic of China and combat the flow of fentanyl, its precursor chemicals, and other synthetic drugs into the United States.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee plays a central role in managing federal government funding through legislation. It addresses issues such as trade and international affairs while promoting transparency in budgeting processes. The committee is responsible for overseeing federal expenditures as required by law and ensuring accountability in public spending (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/).
Established on March 6, 1867, the committee was formed to separate appropriations matters from tax-related issues and began its work by creating subcommittees focused on various appropriation topics (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/). Its authority is rooted in the U.S. Constitution, which mandates that funds can only be drawn from the treasury through appropriations made by law (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/).
The committee continues to influence federal spending decisions through oversight of budgets and programs across multiple areas including international affairs (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/).
