House Set to Discuss Fiscal 26 Transportation Funding Proposal

The House Appropriations Committee is gearing up for its fiscal year 2026 discussions shortly.

The committee plans to first address an appropriations bill on June 10 aimed at supporting military and Veterans Affairs initiatives before moving on to other agency-specific funding proposals.

A subcommittee discussion regarding the fiscal year 2026 budget for Transportation, Housing and Urban development, along with related agencies, is set for July 14. The full committee will review this bill on July 17, which focuses on financing operations at the Department of Transportation.

Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Appropriations Committee who oversees scheduling, praised recent transportation budget requests from the Trump administration. Earlier this month he remarked that “as we move forward with fiscal year 2026 planning, investing wisely in our transportation infrastructure remains crucial. Secretary Duffy’s team has diligently scrutinized past funding decisions to ensure taxpayer money is spent effectively.”

Cole added that “this subcommittee will continue these efforts as we prepare for the [fiscal year 2026] bill by ensuring support goes towards infrastructure improvements while critically assessing any wasteful or redundant programs.”

However, many Democrats remain critical of President Trump’s policies.Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.),ranking member of the appropriations Committee expressed her concerns about current budget strategies.

“We need a government that advocates for middle-class families and those in need,” she emphasized. “The vision put forth by President Trump seems more aligned with billionaires and large corporations.”

The Senate’s Appropriations panel is also expected to tackle fiscal year 2026 legislation prior to their August break since most federal funding authority runs out by October first.

The White House recently submitted a concise request asking Congress to approve nearly $27 billion for DOT’s discretionary budget in fiscal year ’26 while suggesting cuts to expensive technologies impacting consumers negatively—this includes proposing a $6 billion cancellation of a nationwide electric vehicle charging initiative.

additionally, they are requesting around $600 million aimed at improving supply chain efficiency at ports along with over $700 million more allocated towards an essential infrastructure grants program. Critically important boosts are also proposed for air traffic control operations under FAA oversight as part of this request.

“At this pivotal moment in time,we require an unprecedented budget—one that halts our decline while prioritizing American citizens and providing significant backing to our military and homeland security efforts,” said Russ Vought from OMB earlier this month without specifying when they would unveil a detailed version beyond their initial brief proposal.

Duffy reiterated before lawmakers on May14th that “we do not take additional funds from hardworking taxpayers lightly during times when government inefficiency has become rampant.” He assured them these funds would be strategically allocated toward urgent projects designed to benefit future generations long-term.”