Congressman Fong Secures $39.5 Million for Critical Defense and Infrastructure Projects for the Central Valley, Votes to Advance Final FY2026 Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) secured $39.5 million in critical defense and infrastructure investments for the Central Valley by voting to advance the final four Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills, completing all 12 annual bills required to fund the federal government.

"I'm proud to deliver critical funding for California's 20th District that strengthens our communities, improves public safety, and supports national security," said Congressman Fong (CA-20). "From enhancing our emergency and public safety response for Kings County and improving key transportation corridors in the Central Valley region, to advancing defense and aerospace capabilities at Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake, and NAS Lemoore, these investments reflect a commitment to both our local families and our nation's military readiness."

The final FY2026 appropriations package includes the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148) and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7147). Together, these measures fund the federal government with a strong emphasis on strengthening America's defense posture, protecting the homeland, and investing in projects that improve public safety, transportation, and emergency response capabilities throughout the Central Valley.

Local Funding Secured by Congressman Fong in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026:

• Kings County
• $3,000,000 for the development of a new headquarters for the Kings County Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services, strengthening emergency response and coordination.
• Kern County / Bakersfield
• $3,000,000 for the Kern Council of Governments to advance the Centennial Corridor connector ramp linking southbound SR 99 to westbound SR 58, improving safety, mobility, and freight movement.

Local Funding Secured by Congressman Fong in theDefense Appropriations Act, 2026:

• Kern County
• $7,000,000 to recapitalize layered tanks at the Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Lab at Edwards Air Force Base, supporting critical rocket testing infrastructure.
• $5,000,000 to pilot AI-enabled software upgrades within the Department of War's Insider Threat Program, strengthening protections against internal and foreign security threats.
• $4,000,000 for the Naval Air Warfare Rapid Capabilities Office to support advanced work at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, ensuring continued progress in naval aviation and electronic warfare systems.
• $15,000,000 to enhance a reusable hypersonic test bed, expanding America's hypersonic testing capabilities.
• Naval Air Station Lemoore
• $2,500,000 to support testing of technology that reduces the risk of foreign object debris, improving aircraft safety and operational readiness.

On Background:

This builds upon the previous funding secured by Congressman Fong on prior FY2026 appropriations bills:

• City of Visalia - Groundwater Recharge Basin F Project
• $2,000,000 to expand stormwater capture, improve groundwater quality in the Kaweah Subbasin, and support a future 248-acre regional park.
• Tule River Tribe - Intake Structure and Pipeline Improvements
• $1,250,000 to replace aging water transmission infrastructure and ensure reliable, safe water access for the Tribe.
• City of Ridgecrest - Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement
• $1,000,000 to modernize a 70-year-old facility serving Ridgecrest and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
• Cerro Coso Community College - Cybersecurity Program
• $1,112,250 to establish a new cybersecurity education program supporting workforce development in Kern County.
• City of Lemoore - Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Water Meters
• $1,000,000 to improve water conservation, detect leaks, and protect groundwater resources vital to the community and Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• City of Tulare - Police Dispatch Expansion Project
• $579,150 to expand the Tulare Police Department's dispatch center, improving emergency response times and officer safety.
• Success Reservoir Enlargement Project
• $14,600,000 to finalize operational requirements for the expanded reservoir, improving flood protection and water reliability for Tulare County.
• The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the bill includes language allowing up to $15 million for NASA's Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonic (MACH) Program, following agency evaluation. The directive prioritizes flight testing and requires NASA to brief House and Senate appropriators within 60 days of enactment.

General Highlights of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026:

• Invests $102.9 billion to rebuild America's infrastructure and improve transportation safety.
• Invests more than $64 billion in highways and $4.6 billion in airport infrastructure, funds the hiring of 2,500 new air traffic controllers, and modernizes air traffic control systems.
• Terminates wasteful spending - including the now-canceled California high-speed rail project and failed electric vehicle charging programs.
• Reinforces Buy American requirements, bans the use of drones from hostile foreign nations, permanently prohibits federal mask mandates on public transit, and reduces staffing at DOT and HUD without compromising safety or core services.

General Highlights of the Defense Appropriations Act, 2026:

• Cuts more than $1.7 billion through efficiencies and favorable fuel savings to ensure a more effective and accountable Department of War.
• Delivers a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers, continues historic pay increases for junior enlisted troops, supports quality-of-life improvements for military families.
• Invests $839.2 billion to maintain America's military superiority, modernize the force, and take care of servicemembers and their families.
• Strengthens deterrence against adversaries like China by boosting production of critical munitions, investing in fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft, accelerating hypersonic weapons testing, modernizing the nuclear triad, and funding missile defense and space capabilities.

General Highlights of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026:

• Provides $64.4 billion to secure the homeland and protect American communities.
• Prioritizes border security and public safety by sustaining 22,000 Border Patrol agents, increasing resources to detain and deport criminal and removable aliens, expanding counter-drug efforts to stop deadly fentanyl, and strengthening partnerships with state and local law enforcement.
• Defunds programs that incentivized illegal immigration under the Biden Administration and cuts red tape.
• Bolsters disaster preparedness and supporting security for major national and international events.

General Highlights of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026:

• Provides $221 billion and refocuses taxpayer dollars on core priorities.
• Safeguards life by maintaining the Hyde Amendment, reins in bureaucracy by eliminating or reducing dozens of programs, rescinds Biden-era IRS funding aimed at auditing everyday Americans, and advances President Trump's Make America Healthy Again and Make America Skilled Again agendas.
• Strengthens rural health care, invests in mental health and substance abuse treatment, supports apprenticeships and career and technical education, and ensures America remains a global leader in biomedical research and biosecurity.