FY26 Appropriations Update | Proposed FEMA Workforce Reductions
Congress is back in session and has four weeks to complete work on the remaining 9 appropriations bills in order to avoid a government shutdown on January 31. The Senate spent several weeks trying to secure approval for a 5 bill “minibus” appropriations package before leaving for the holidays but the bill was held up first three key conservative Senators and then blocked by two Democratic Senators who opposed eliminating funding for the National Center for Atmospheric Research. In the House, Appropriations Committee leaders were concerned that they would be unable to find support for a 5 bill package, so they have moved to smaller 3 bill packages. The first 3 bill package was released yesterday and includes the Commerce-Justice-State, Energy and Water Development, and Interior-Environment bills.
The Interior appropriations important to tourism communities and include:
Funds the National Park Service at $3.27 billion, which is essentially the same level at FY25 and requires NPS to hire, rehire and retain sufficient park staff to perform the agency’s mission to protect natural and cultural resources and ensure visitor enjoyment and safety. The bill also provides $205 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, including specified funding of $23.75 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and $62.15 million for State Historic Preservation Offices.
Funds that Forest Service at $6.13 billion for the Forest Service, which provides sufficient funds to sustain appropriate staffing levels. Also included are $6 million for the Legacy Roads and Trails program to prioritize fish passage improvements and repurposing unnecessary roads as trails.
Funds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at $1.65 billion.
Funds the National Endowment for the Arts at $207 million, rejecting a proposal from the Trump Administration to eliminate the agency.
Funds the National Endowment for the Humanities at $207 million, rejecting a proposal from the Trump Administration to eliminate the agency.
$11.2 million for National and Scenic Historic Trails.
Fully funds the Land & Water Conservation Fund at $900 million for land acquisition and to fund state recreation programs, rejecting efforts to divert funding to maintenance projects.
Provides $31 million for the National Heritage Areas program, the funding level the Alliance of National Heritage Areas had advocated for, and preserves funding levels for all existing National Heritage Areas. The bill also ensures that recently authorized National Heritage Areas will receive the full amount for management planning.
The report language for the bills has not yet been released, so their may be additional provisions that impact tourism communities in the bill.
Both The Washington Post and CNN are reporting on efforts by the Trump Administration to dramatically downsize FEMA’s disaster response workforce.