Díaz-Balart Delivers Key Small Business and Rural Access Wins in FY26 FSGG Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) highlighted key funding priorities and policy provisions secured following House passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriationsbill last week, which strengthen support for small businesses and protect rural communities.

"As Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to deliver concrete results that support small businesses and protect vulnerable communities. This bill reflects a serious, responsible approach to governance, including supporting economic opportunity and improving accountability," saidDíaz-Balart.

The FY26 FSGG bill reflects Díaz-Balart's continued commitment to advancing fiscal responsibility, supporting local communities across Miami-Dade and Collier Counties, and defending U.S. national security interests at home and abroad.

Supporting Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

The bill includes significant investments to expand access to capital, technical assistance, and economic opportunity for small businesses and underserved communities, including:

• $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund to support lending and investment in small businesses and local communities
• $10 million to expand CDFI investments benefiting individuals with disabilities
• $140 million for the Small Business Administration's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), providing counseling, training, and support to entrepreneurs and small business owners

Protecting Mail Delivery and Access in Rural Communities

Recognizing the impact of postal service disruptions on rural and vulnerable populations, the bill includes new report language requiring the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to improve transparency and accountability regarding temporary post office suspensions.

This provision is especially important for communities such as Everglades City and Chokoloskee, where temporary post office closures directly affected veterans and seniors who rely on the USPS for the delivery of critical medication, as well as individuals who have lost important documents such as U.S. passports and money orders.

The report language requires USPS to:

• Clearly outline the criteria used to determine temporary suspensions
• Provide a list of temporarily suspended post offices, including the reason for each suspension
• Detail the length of each suspension
• Develop an action plan to improve communication with affected communities, local leaders, state officials, and federal officials

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