SENATE APPROVES FY2026 TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS BILL; HYDE-SMITH LED CRAFTING AS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR

SENATE APPROVES FY2026 TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS BILL; HYDE-SMITH LED CRAFTING AS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR

Passage is Key Step Toward Sending President Trump a Bill that Benefits Nation & Mississippi

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised Senate passage of a FY2026 transportation and housing appropriations bill she worked to develop as chair of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee.

Senate approval of the FY2026 THUD Appropriations Bill (71-29) clears it to be returned to the House of Representatives as part of a five-bill package (HR.7148) for final passage. From there, it would be sent to President Trump to be signed into law.

"It's important to have Senate passage of this bill to fund important national needs instead of relying on another continuing resolution that would lock in funding levels and policies from the previous Administration. Within our budget allocation, this Transportation, HUD Appropriations Bill adjusts resources to meet the challenges we face today to ensure better air traffic safety, improve transportation infrastructure, build up our communities, and care for those most in need," Hyde-Smith said. "A lot of hard work has gone into this bill, which has strong bipartisan support. I now look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law as soon as possible."

"I've also worked to see that our bill supports surface, airport, and rail transportation projects in Mississippi, with the same attention paid to programs related to housing, workforce development, and local economic growth," Hyde-Smith added.

The bill fully supports the Trump administration's request for $4 billion in funding to modernize the nation's air traffic system and to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers. It also continues funding for the Essential Air Service that supports several regional airports in Mississippi.

The bill continues funding for the Community Development Block Grant program, which helps state and local governments promote economic development and job creation. It also emphasizes HUD Self-Sufficiency Programs to improve financial literacy, increase access to job training and educational opportunities, and help families and individuals transition from relying on HUD or other welfare assistance.

Hyde-Smith indicated that Mississippi communities should also benefit from continued funding for priority programs, including the BUILD grants program, the competitive rural bridge repair and rehabilitation program under which Mississippi is eligible to receive up to $55 million, the Port Infrastructure Development Program, Small Shipyards grants, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grants, grants for commercial motor vehicle parking projects, the Tribal Transportation program, and the National Scenic Byways Program.

The following are examples of projects Hyde-Smith worked to secure in the Senate THUD measure:

Transportation
• I-55/I-69 Widening, DeSoto County - $2,000,000
• Lake Okhissa Access Improvements - $2,000,000
• MS 19 Widening, Neshoba County - $2,000,000
• Natchez Canal Street Bridge Replacement - $2,000,000
• Brookhaven Lincoln County Airport Fixed Base Operator Facility - $2,500,000
• Hinds Community College Aviation Instruction Expansion (JVW) - $1,993,000
• City of Gulfport Dedeaux Road Widening - $1,500,000
• Meridian Regional Airport Construction - $1,000,000
• Greene County Regional Airport Development - $500,000

Housing and Urban Development
• Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, Inc., Family Justice Center Expansion, Biloxi - $5,000,000
• Forrest County Agricultural High School Career and Technical Education Expansion - $5,000,000
• Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center - $3,000,000
• Vicksburg Floodwall Improvements - $3,000,000
• Mississippi Food Network Storage Capacity Enhancements - $3,000,000
• Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation - $2,000,000
• East Central Community College Veteran Center Building - $800,000
• Mississippi's Toughest Kids Facility Improvements, Copiah County - $775,000
• Town of Cary Fire Station Improvements - $600,000

With the passage of HR.7148, the Senate will have approved 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, a stark departure from the refusal of former Democratic leaders to bring annual appropriations bills to the Senate floor in the previous Congresses.

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