Press Releases
Lawler Advances Final FY26 Appropriations Package, Delivers Pay Raises for Troops, Public Safety, and Major Investments for NY-17
Washington, D.C. ,
January 22, 2026
Washington, D.C. – 1/22/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, a bipartisan funding package that includes the final four appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026: Defense; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, as well as additional Health Extender provisions. The legislation strengthens national security, supports American workers and families, protects vulnerable communities, and delivers significant investments directly to the Hudson Valley. “Finishing the appropriations process matters. It brings stability, it gives agencies the certainty they need to operate effectively, and it shows that Congress can still function when we focus on results. That’s what I’ve pushed for every step of the way, and that’s why I supported this final appropriations package,” said Congressman Lawler. “This package includes a well-earned pay raise for our servicemembers, investments in public safety and infrastructure, and improvements to the World Trade Center Health Program for 9/11 responders and survivors, and protections for local safety-net hospitals, and extending AGOA and HOPE/HELP to support economic growth and global stability. I’m proud to support this last effort to fully fund the government for 2026,” concluded Congressman Lawler. Key provisions of this package include: Delivering for the Hudson Valley: The bill includes Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Lawler and additional New York projects, including:
Implements Patient-First Healthcare policies: The Health Extenders portion raises the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cap for safety net hospitals with significant Medicaid and Medicare dual eligible patients; eliminates previously authorized DSH cuts for two years; provides Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests; improves the formula for funding the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP); authorizes mental health providers to provide certain evaluations under the WTCHP; and authorizes the FDA to direct companies to study combinations of pediatric cancer drugs and therapies. Supporting Our Troops and National Security: The Defense portion provides $839.2 billion to maintain America’s military strength and readiness, including a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers; investments to strengthen U.S. defense manufacturing capacity through a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network; additional resources to support servicemembers and their families. Securing the Homeland and Protecting Communities: The Homeland Security portion provides $64.4 billion to protect the homeland and strengthen border security, disaster response, and public safety. It also includes $300 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide security for churches, synagogues, and other faith-based and community institutions; $684 million for AFG and SAFER grants to recruit, train, and equip firefighters; and funding to strengthen air, land, and maritime border security infrastructure. Investing in Health Care, Seniors, and Workforce Skills: The Labor-Health and Human Services-Education portion provides $221 billion to prioritize core health and education needs, including increased funding for the Social Security Administration to improve customer service for seniors; $1.9 billion for community health centers, supporting care in underserved communities; a $20 million increase for LIHEAP to help families afford home energy costs; $12.4 billion for Head Start, supporting school readiness for low-income children; and continued support for career and technical education and community colleges. Building Safer Transportation and Supporting Housing: The Transportation-Housing and Urban Development portion provides $102.9 billion to prioritize safety and improve essential services, including a $1.588 billion increase for the FAA to modernize air traffic control; resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers; and $2.427 billion for Amtrak, supporting reliable passenger rail service, especially in the Northeast. Reauthorizes critical trade programs to stimulate the economy: The package includes reauthorizations of two preferential trade programs - HOPE/HELP for Haiti and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). HOPE/HELP strengthens and stabilizes economic development in Haiti and provides a necessary boost to industries during the political crises. AGOA is the foundation of our relationship with so many African countries and helps to counter the malign influence of China and Russia. The package now heads to the Senate for consideration. The full list of appropriations investments can be found HERE. Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs. ### |