The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act with a vote of 217 to 214. The Senate previously approved the bill by a margin of 71 to 29. The legislation will now be sent to the President for signature.
This appropriations bill provides $194.9 billion in discretionary funding aimed at supporting health, education, and workforce programs across the country.
Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said: “This bill prioritizes funding to help make Americans healthier and supports lifesaving biomedical research, including through targeted funding for Alzheimer's, cancer, Lyme disease, Parkinson’s, ALS, diabetes, and rare disease research. It also provides significant resources for substance use prevention and treatment programs to help combat the scourge of fentanyl and other illicit narcotics plaguing our towns and cities. By promoting financial stability for working parents and strengthening our economy, this legislation also invests in education and increasing resources for affordable child care.”
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee added: “As the chairman of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I am proud to once again craft an effective bill that maintains provisions that are critical to the departments my subcommittee oversees. This bill reflects the many priorities that will help West Virginians from all corners of our state. I am pleased that the Senate has passed this legislation, and appreciate the fulfilled promise of bringing Appropriations bills to the floor under regular order.”
Key allocations in the bill include $48.7 billion for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health; $1.6 billion for State Opioid Response Grants; $1.9 billion for Substance Use Prevention grants; $145 million for rural opioid response efforts; more than $5.5 billion dedicated to mental health research and services; $3.7 billion allocated toward strategic preparedness through various agencies; as well as funds specifically directed toward rural health initiatives.
Education-related spending includes nearly $12.4 billion for Head Start programs; $18.4 billion in Title I Grants supporting local educational agencies; $15.2 billion in IDEA State Grants; along with investments in career training and apprenticeship programs.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is responsible for managing federal government operations funding through legislative measures such as this appropriations act (official website). The committee ensures accountability over public money management (official website) while conducting hearings on spending proposals (official website), drawing its authority from constitutional mandates (official website). Established in 1867 (official website), it continues its role in overseeing budgets related to a range of issues including trade and international affairs (official website).
The legislation also maintains existing policy riders such as conscience protections related to healthcare decisions.
