Inside (the Beltway) Scoop

By: Ellen Kuo
Thursday, June 26, 2025
House Appropriators Continue Spending Bill Markups

House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole issued a revised schedule of markups for key fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bills as appropriators returned to Capitol Hill on Monday, June 23, to continue consideration of the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) was provided with $445 million short of FASEB’s recommendation of $500 million. The bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to prioritize funding for projects addressing plant and animal health, emerging pest and disease issues, food safety, plant and animal breeding, improved productivity, precision agriculture, biosecurity, and workforce development. In addition, the committee notes that projects that focus on researching enhanced rock weathering and biochar, assessing any environmental or health risks, and identifying ways to minimize the environmental impact of silicate rock mining, grinding, and transport are also eligible for AFRI awards.

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Related Agencies bill is the first of the FY 2026 spending bills scheduled to be considered on the House floor on June 25. Unless amended on the House floor, the VA Military and Prosthetic Research program would receive $943 million, far short of the $1.2 billion the Friends of the VA Medical Care and Health Research recommends to the Chair and Ranking members of the  House and Senate Appropriations committees. Currently, Rep. Lauren Boebert has an amendment for floor consideration that would increase the program by $2 million if adopted.

The FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies and Energy and Water Development spending bills are scheduled for subcommittee markup on July 7 and full committee on July 10. The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill is currently set for subcommittee review on July 21 and full committee consideration on July 24.  The likelihood of completing all markups and taking all twelve FY 2026 spending bills to the House floor is uncertain due to competing legislative issues, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill and the upcoming summer recess.