The House Appropriations Committee convened to deliberate on the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. Congressman David Valadao, who chairs the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, expressed satisfaction with the bill’s progression through the full committee markup.
“After months of hard work preparing the FY26 bill as Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I’m proud to see it advance out of full committee markup,” said Congressman Valadao. He emphasized that the bill aims to equip Congress with necessary resources while curbing unnecessary spending and prioritizing core values. “Most importantly, this legislation provides the necessary funding to support Capitol Police as they work to keep Members of Congress, visitors, and staff safe.”
Chairman Tom Cole highlighted the bill’s alignment with constituent interests. “Our greatest duty is to our constituents—and this bill reflects that,” he stated. The act focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring safety at the Capitol complex under Valadao’s leadership.
Valadao also acknowledged bipartisan cooperation in accommodating requests from both sides of the aisle. The proposed budget totals $5 billion—a 5.3 percent reduction from FY 2025—excluding Senate items traditionally not considered in House marks.
In light of recent political violence in Minnesota, Valadao underscored the importance of security for Congress members and staff. The bill maintains increased funding for Member security away from Capitol grounds and boosts allocations for both the House Sergeant at Arms and United States Capitol Police.
Additionally, Valadao mentioned a request by USCP for mutual aid reimbursements amounting to $10 million for FY26, doubling their annual proposal. Discussions on further security measures are anticipated as proposals are reviewed with colleagues.
Valadao concluded by expressing gratitude towards all contributors to the legislative process.
