House Passes Womack's FY26 Appropriations Bill to Strengthen Transportation and Housing Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 22, 2026… The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation is led by House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3).

Included in the THUD bill is $97.6 million to fund eleven community projects in Arkansas's Third Congressional District.

The legislation is part of a three-bill spending package that provides full-year funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies.

A spending bill to fund the Department of Homeland and related agencies was also passed separately in the House today-marking the House-passage of all twelve Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills.

Chairman Womack said, "I am extremely proud of the passage of today's funding bills. The House has now completed our Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations work, providing updated and right-sized funding levels for the remainder of the fiscal year-something Congress has not achieved in far too long. It may have taken us longer than it should have, but late is still far better than continuing to operate the federal government on outdated spending levels from two years ago.

Chairman Womack continued, "My Transportation, Housing and Urban Development division reflects a deliberate shift away from bloated bureaucracy and refocuses taxpayer dollars on priorities that matter to the American people-safety, mobility, economic growth, and housing affordability. Among its many provisions, we delivered a long-overdue infusion of resources to modernize our national airspace and strengthen our air traffic control system. We also provided states with the funding they need to build safer, more reliable roads and bridges while addressing long-standing safety challenges, including truck parking. At the same time, we preserved housing assistance for the most vulnerable while promoting affordability through flexible, locally driven programs that allow communities to expand housing supply without federal micromanagement. For the Third District of Arkansas, I secured more than $97 million for eleven community projects-ranging from the construction of the Springdale Northern Bypass, which will support regional economic growth, to critical funding for the City of Mulberry's Community Food Pantry, ensuring families have access to the food they need.

Chairman Womack concluded, "Today's package also strategically increases funding for our defense apparatus, strengthening national security and ensuring we are ready and able to respond to emerging threats and win the next conflict. I urge the Senate to act swiftly, and I remind my colleagues that we must maintain this momentum and accelerate our pace this year so we can deliver Fiscal Year 2027 funding on time and build on the progress we've made."

THUD bill highlights

Invests in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley by providing:

• $59 million for the construction of the Springdale Northern Bypass.
• $3 million for Highway 112 improvements.
• $3 million for the construction of future Interstate 49.
• $1.75 million for Benton County water system improvements.
• $1.25 million to Benton County for NEBCO fire station improvements.
• $4.4 million for water system improvements in Crawford County.
• $6.5 million for bridge repairs in Farmington.
• $3 million for water system improvements in Fort Smith.
• $3 million for water system improvements in Huntsville.
• $500,000 for the city of Mulberry's Community Food Pantry.
• $12.2 million for water system improvements in Tontitown.

Invests in transportation safety and rebuilds America by:

• Increasing funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by $1.220 billion over FY25 enacted levels, which will keep our skies safe and help build a world-class air traffic control system.
• Providing the FAA with resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers and replace FAA's aged telecommunication infrastructure.
• Redirecting $2.3 billion in wasteful Democratic priorities from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) to instead invest in safety and improve the movement of freight and the traveling public.
• Protecting America's truckers by providing $200 million for increased truck parking on our highways.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:

• Upholding America First priorities by guaranteeing that the U.S. has the most modern, safe, and efficient transportation system in the world.
• Empowering HUD to refocus housing assistance to promote self-sufficiency while maintaining support for America's most vulnerable-including the elderly and disabled.
• Reinforcing English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers.
• Terminating $928 million from the now-canceled California high speed rail project.
• Rebuilding America by investing $64.323 billion in highway infrastructure.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Promoting defense readiness capabilities by funding the Small Shipyard Grants program, the Cable Security Program, the Maritime Security Program, and the Tanker Security Program.
• Supporting the next generation of mariners at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academies.
• Supporting America's vehicle and aircraft manufacturers to ensure global leadership and to counter China's malign influence.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:

• Eliminating or redirecting $5.694 billion through program eliminations and rescissions, as compared to a continuing resolution that would repeat Democrat priorities.
• Cutting HUD staff by 24 percent, consistent with reductions in force implemented by Secretary Turner, saving $334 million in salaries and expenses compared to the FY25 enacted level.

Defense bill highlights

Provides for the Common Defense and those who serve in our military by:

• Supporting our troops, including a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers starting January 1, 2026.
• Providing all necessary funding for the F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) training mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
• Delivering increased resources for the National Guard's State Partnership Program which enhances our military presence in strategic areas around the globe.
• Providing robust funding for critical munitions made in Arkansas.
• Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft and aircraft for the Air National Guard.
• Investing additional funding in critical research and development programs conducted in Northwest Arkansas.
• Supporting our allies and partners, including Israel and Taiwan, by providing substantial funding for joint exercises, training, and development programs.

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) bill highlights

Strengthens the education and health of Americans by:

• Protecting the right to life by maintaining the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer funding for abortion.
• Increasing funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help make electric bills more affordable for vulnerable households.
• Prioritizing investments in primary care for rural health, community health centers, and the health care workforce to combat the chronic disease epidemic.
• Supporting apprenticeship programs and technical education, as well as community colleges, assisting more skilled workers in joining the workforce.
• Providing funding to ensure America remains the leader in biomedical research, countering China's growing influence in basic science.
• Enhancing program integrity efforts to protect Social Security and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health care programs.
• Increasing funding for the Social Security Administration to improve frontline customer service for America's seniors.

Homeland bill highlights

Bolsters public safety, homeland preparedness, U.S. national security, and border protections by:

• Expanding resources to detect and disrupt the flow of deadly drugs, including fentanyl, that threaten communities.
• Supporting partnerships with state and local law enforcement that enhance immigration enforcement and homeland defense to improve operational capacity.
• Protecting vulnerable children through stronger investigations into exploitation, human trafficking, and forced labor.
• Enhancing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery with additional grant support for firefighters and first responders.
• Countering China's influence by expanding the Coast Guard's operational footprint in the Indo-Pacific.
• Supporting Coast Guard servicemembers by funding their military pay raise.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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