Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Secure Over $4 Million for Maryland Initiatives Boosting Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md.) have secured $4,014,000 in direct federal funding for four community-led projects throughout Maryland within the fiscal year 2026 FSGG appropriations bill - which was enacted into law as part of a 5-bill government funding package passed by Congress and signed into law in February. These projects - submitted and secured by the Senators - will support small business growth and workforce training across Maryland.

"Federal dollars can make a big impact when we invest them directly in projects that support our communities' needs. That's why we fought to deliver these federal funds to local partners who will work to empower Maryland entrepreneurs from a range of backgrounds to grow their businesses and succeed. We worked hard to secure investments in this legislation to spur greater opportunity and shared prosperity in our state," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"Small businesses make up 99.5% of all businesses in Maryland - so it is critical we continue to invest in them, cut red tape, and make the opportunity for starting a business accessible for even more Marylanders. Senator Van Hollen and I partnered in securing over $4 million in federal funding for four community-led projects in the fiscal year 2026 FSGG appropriations bill. These projects will bolster small businesses, provide training opportunities, and lift up Marylanders - especially veterans," said Senator Alsobrooks.

The Senators worked to secure these funds and provisions prior to their passage, but ultimately voted against the larger package they were included within - stemming from concerns over insufficient safeguards to protect federal workers against the Trump's attacks and to prevent the Administration from misusing Congressionally approved taxpayer dollars, among other factors.

Highlights for Maryland in the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government Funding Bill

Congressionally Directed Spending

Project Name: Expanding the Family Child Care Pipeline
Applicant: Maryland Family Network
Project Description: Funds will be used to provide targeted support for individuals aspiring to open licensed family childcare programs, including training, coaching, and additional support services, to help lessen the decline in family childcare providers.
Project Location: Baltimore City
Amount Included: $770,000

Project Name: FSC First Level Up Program
Applicant: Prince George's Financial Services Corporation dba FSC First
Project Description: Funds will be used to provide technical assistance to small and minority-owned businesses to support their growth by improving access to capital, training opportunities, and mentoring-helping them "level up" and succeed.
Project Location: Prince George's County`
Amount Included: $244,000

Project Name: Kingdom Cares Economic Empowerment and Innovation Center
Applicant: Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation
Project Description: Funds will be used to provide technical assistance to small businesses, fostering their growth from inception to launch and scalability. The program will also support mentorship opportunities, connecting new entrepreneurs and established local small businesses.
Project Location: Prince George's County
Amount Included: $1,000,000

Project Name: Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
Applicant: Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation
Project Description: Funds will be used to expand curriculum and trainings for small businesses owned by veterans-including those who have been service-disabled-through the Veteran Institute for Procurement, which assists veterans in accessing federal procurement opportunities.
Project Location: Montgomery County
Amount Included: $2,000,000

Additional priorities secured by the Senators in the FY26 Financial Services and General Government funding bill include:

Department of the Treasury: The bill provides $1.87 billion for the Department of the Treasury (excluding the IRS) to combat illegal anti-money laundering, regulate our banks, and safeguard the financial system against abuse by illicit actors.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: The bill provides $324 million for the CDFI Fund, protecting current funding levels for the Fund and rejecting the 59% cut (-$190.9 million) sought by President Trump, as well as the 15% cut (-$47.4 million) proposed by House Republicans. This funding helps expand economic opportunity for underserved communities and supports the development of child care centers, affordable housing units, health care facilities, and small businesses in every part of the country. The bill also includes new measures to ensure the Fund is adequately staffed to fulfill its statutorily-required duties.

Small Business Administration (SBA): The bill provides $1.25 billion for SBA- rejecting President Trump's proposal to slash funding that helps America's small businesses by over 40%. The bill includes $330 million for SBA's Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDP), a $13.2 million increase over fiscal year 2025. This includes $150 million for Small Business Development Centers, a $10 million increase above fiscal year 2025, and $21.4 million for Veterans Outreach, a $2.9 million increase above fiscal year 2025. This funding will support small businesses across America and connect them with vital resources.

Federal Defenders: The bill provides $1.766 billion for Federal Defenders, a nearly 22%, or $315 million, increase above fiscal year 2025. This critical new funding will reimburse Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys who make up 40% of the overall federal defender workforce. These attorneys play a vital role in upholding the Sixth Amendment's guarantee to counsel in criminal proceedings. In July 2025, Federal Defenders funding lapsed, and panel attorneys were not reimbursed until this past November after Democrats secured a provision in the continuing resolution to provide funding. Fully funding defender services will help ensure defendants across the country will be represented by paid, effective counsel-protecting their Sixth Amendment rights.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP): The bill provides $456.5 million for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to combat the opioid and substance use disorder crises, stop drug trafficking, and address addiction.

Election Security Grants: The bill provides $45 million-a $30 million increase over fiscal year 2025-rejecting President Trump's efforts to zero out funding for the grants. Election Security Grants for states and U.S. territories improve the administration of federal elections, upgrade voting equipment, make security enhancements, and protect Americans' right to have their vote counted in free and fair elections.

District of Columbia (D.C.): The bill provides $877.9 million to D.C. and rejects over a dozen new House Republican riders that would have restricted D.C. residents' access to reproductive care, weakened local gun safety laws, and overridden local policies. For the first time in over 25 years, the bill increases the amount available for D.C. students to use toward tuition assistance to keep pace with the high cost of college. Finally, the bill protects D.C.'s ability to spend its own money and prevents the reckless-and pointless-cuts caused by House Republicans' full-year continuing resolution in fiscal year 2025.

General Services Administration (GSA): The bill provides $165.7 million for GSA construction projects at federal facilities across the country.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The bill provides $11.2 billion for the IRS, $1.4 billion above President Trump's budget request. This includes $5 billion for Enforcement ($2 billion above the level in House Republicans' bill), $3 billion for Taxpayer Services, and $3.2 billion for Operations Support. The bill also includes expanded transfer authority for the IRS to tap existing funds to support enforcement, taxpayer services, and operations support.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The bill rejects OMB Director Vought's request for a $17 million (13%) increase in funding for OMB while seeking extreme cuts to- or the outright elimination of-programs families nationwide rely on.