Week of April 27, 2026 Recap and Look Ahead
Congress:
- FY 27 Appropriations: House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) released text for the Agriculture-FDA and National Security-State House Appropriations bills. The Committee approved the funding totals for six funding measures: Agriculture-FDA $26.3 billion, Commerce-Justice-Science $77.3 billion, Financial Services $25.3 billion, Legislative Branch $7.3 billion, National Security-State $47.3 billion, and Military Construction-VA $157 billion. House Appropriations subcommittees have thus far conducted markups of Military Construction-VA, National Security-State, and Agriculture-FDA bills, all of which advanced out of subcommittee. The full House Appropriations Committee has also marked-up the Military Construction-VA and Financial Services appropriations measures, with Military Construction-VA advancing unanimously and Financial Services approved by a 34-28 vote.
- FY 27 Earmarks: The House Agriculture-FDA bill includes earmarks for dozens of cities and countries. A table detailing Ag-FDA earmarks is available here.
- Reconciliation Update: The Senate adopted a budget resolution (S.Con.Res 33) allowing Republicans to use the reconciliation process to fund ICE and CBP for the next three-plus years. The measure now moves to the House, where House Republicans have expressed interest in reopening the budget resolution to include additional priorities.
- Surface Transportation Reauthorization: House Transportation Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen said he would support a fee on electric vehicles and hybrid cars to help fund the Highway Trust Fund. The surface transportation markup, originally scheduled for April 29, has been further delayed, with committee leaders targeting mid-May.
- House Coalition Pressures Leadership on Housing Bill: A bipartisan coalition of 76 House lawmakers wrote a letter to House leadership, urging them to reject the provision in the Senate-passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that limits the role of large institutional investors in the housing market. They argued that the provision would reduce rental options and potentially raise prices.
- House Holds WIOA Markup: The House Education and Workforce Committee held a markup on A Stronger Workforce for American Act of 2026 (H.R.8210), which reauthorizes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Democrats argued the bill would advance efforts to weaken the Education Department by moving Title II adult education programs to the Labor Department and would reduce workforce development discretionary spending by about 4 percent. The committee adopted Chair Walberg’s (R-MI) amendment by voice vote to make technical corrections and recognize apprenticeship degrees as an eligible use of workforce funds. The bill was reported out of committee on a party‑line vote, 19-14.
- House Republicans to Consider Legislation on Data Centers: House Energy and Commerce Republicans plan to hold an “AI and the Grid” legislative hearing next week. The hearing will reportedly consider legislation aimed at shielding consumers from electricity rate hikes tied to surging data center demand. The hearing announcement signals a shift toward a more active role for Congress—one that many lawmakers on both sides have been demanding.
- FirstNet Reauthorization Passes House: The House passed legislation (H.R.7386) on Monday, April 20 to reauthorize FirstNet, a wireless public safety network that provides first responders with dedicated wireless frequencies. The legislation would extend FirstNet’s authority through 2037 and enhance the Commerce Department’s control over the network.
- House Pulls Broadband Bill from Floor: House leadership pulled the American Broadband Deployment Act (H.R.2289) from floor consideration on Monday, April 20 after it became clear enough Republican members were not on board with the measure to guarantee passage.
- Farm Bill: House Agriculture Committee Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) are urging their Democratic colleagues to vote against the farm bill when it comes to the floor the week of April 27.
Trump Administration:
- HUD Abandons Appeal on CoC: On Monday, April 20, the Trump administration abandoned its appeal of a lower court order temporarily blocking attempts by HUD to reshape the Continuum of Care (CoC) homelessness program. HUD had proposed shifting CoC program funds from permanent housing to temporary housing with work or treatment requirements.
- DOT Plans to Overhaul Air Traffic Control System: DOT officials outlined the plan to overhaul and modernize the nation’s aging air traffic control system, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), by the end of President Trump’s term.
- Trump Administration Officials Depart: Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is leaving the administration for the private sector amid a DOL inspector general investigation into alleged misconduct, including relationships with security staff and misuse of department resources. Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting DOL secretary. Navy Secretary John Phelan is also leaving the Trump administration following reported tensions over shipbuilding, with Undersecretary Hung Cao assuming the role on an acting basis.
Grants:
- CRISI Grant: FRA announced the availability of over $2 billion to fund projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. Applications are due June 22, 2026.
- Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant: FRA announced the availability of over $1 billion to fund projects that build overpasses or underpasses so cars and trains never meet; upgrade safety technology at crossings; relocate tracks in order to close a grade crossing; and educate Americans on how to cross train tracks safely. Applications are due June 8, 2026.
- DOE Grants: The DOE issued letters last week notifying hundreds of Biden-era grant recipients that it intends to retain, rather than terminate, their projects. The letters follow a year-long review of DOE grant awards and provide long-awaited clarity for grantees.
The Week’s News: