Womack Votes to Pass Amended Full-Year Spending Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 3, 2026… Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. The package includes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act-legislation led by House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3).

The package also provides full-year funding for the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, State, Treasury, and related agencies for the remainder of FY 2026, and extends current funding levels for the Department of Homeland Security through February 13, 2026.

Chairman Womack said, "Supporting this package is the clear and responsible choice. The House has already passed five of the six bills it contains, including my Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which provides right-sized funding for critical infrastructure development and commonsense priorities."

Chairman Womack continued, "As I've said before, Congress has an obligation to deliver updated, full-year funding for the federal government. We're eleven-twelfths of the way there for this fiscal year. I support the ongoing and careful negotiations on the remaining Department of Homeland Security funding bill and remind my colleagues that the appropriations process is inherently bipartisan. It requires bipartisan cooperation to pass these bills and ensure they deliver the meaningful impacts our constituents expect and deserve."

Chairman Womack's floor remarks are available HERE.

THUD bill highlights

Invests in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley by providing:

• $59 million for the construction of the Springdale Northern Bypass.
• $3 million for Highway 112 improvements.
• $3 million for the construction of future Interstate 49.
• $1.75 million for Benton County water system improvements.
• $1.25 million to Benton County for NEBCO fire station improvements.
• $4.4 million for water system improvements in Crawford County.
• $6.5 million for bridge repairs in Farmington.
• $3 million for water system improvements in Fort Smith.
• $3 million for water system improvements in Huntsville.
• $500,000 for the city of Mulberry's Community Food Pantry.
• $12.2 million for water system improvements in Tontitown.

Invests in transportation safety and rebuilds America by:

• Increasing funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by $1.220 billion over FY25 enacted levels, which will keep our skies safe and help build a world-class air traffic control system.
• Providing the FAA with resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers and replace FAA's aged telecommunication infrastructure.
• Redirecting $2.3 billion in wasteful Democratic priorities from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) to instead invest in safety and improve the movement of freight and the traveling public.
• Protecting America's truckers by providing $200 million for increased truck parking on our highways.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:

• Upholding America First priorities by guaranteeing that the U.S. has the most modern, safe, and efficient transportation system in the world.
• Empowering HUD to refocus housing assistance to promote self-sufficiency while maintaining support for America's most vulnerable-including the elderly and disabled.
• Reinforcing English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers.
• Terminating $928 million from the now-canceled California high speed rail project.
• Rebuilding America by investing $64.323 billion in highway infrastructure.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Promoting defense readiness capabilities by funding the Small Shipyard Grants program, the Cable Security Program, the Maritime Security Program, and the Tanker Security Program.
• Supporting the next generation of mariners at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academies.
• Supporting America's vehicle and aircraft manufacturers to ensure global leadership and to counter China's malign influence.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:

• Eliminating or redirecting $5.694 billion through program eliminations and rescissions, as compared to a continuing resolution that would repeat Democrat priorities.
• Cutting HUD staff by 24 percent, consistent with reductions in force implemented by Secretary Turner, saving $334 million in salaries and expenses compared to the FY25 enacted level.

Defense bill highlights

Provides for the Common Defense and those who serve in our military by:

• Supporting our troops, including a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers starting January 1, 2026.
• Providing all necessary funding for the F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) training mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
• Delivering increased resources for the National Guard's State Partnership Program which enhances our military presence in strategic areas around the globe.
• Providing robust funding for critical munitions made in Arkansas.
• Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft and aircraft for the Air National Guard.
• Investing additional funding in critical research and development programs conducted in Northwest Arkansas.
• Supporting our allies and partners, including Israel and Taiwan, by providing substantial funding for joint exercises, training, and development programs.

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) bill highlights

Strengthens the education and health of Americans by:

• Protecting the right to life by maintaining the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer funding for abortion.
• Increasing funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help make electric bills more affordable for vulnerable households.
• Prioritizing investments in primary care for rural health, community health centers, and the health care workforce to combat the chronic disease epidemic.
• Supporting apprenticeship programs and technical education, as well as community colleges, assisting more skilled workers in joining the workforce.
• Providing funding to ensure America remains the leader in biomedical research, countering China's growing influence in basic science.
• Enhancing program integrity efforts to protect Social Security and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health care programs.
• Increasing funding for the Social Security Administration to improve frontline customer service for America's seniors.

National Security Department of State bill highlights

Bolsters U.S. national security by:

• Allocating substantial funding for the Foreign Military Financing Program to support our allies, such as Israel and Taiwan, against foreign adversaries.
• Delivering strong funding for the International Military Education and Training Program to enhance military alliances and international cooperation.

Financial Services and General Government bill highlights

Protects taxpayer dollars and promotes economic growth by:

• Cutting IRS enforcement funding to rein in a supercharged agency targeting hardworking Americans and, instead, focuses resources on customer service to support a more streamlined tax season.
• Providing funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which lends to small businesses, affordable housing developers, and similar endeavors.
• Funding the Small Business Administration, supporting entrepreneurship and small business development.

Protects our judicial system by:

• Directing funding toward court security to ensure judges, their families, and employees are protected.
• Prioritizing resources to strengthen the Federal Judiciary's cybersecurity.

Strengthens American elections by:

• Allocating funding for the Election Security Grant Program to assist states in improving election technology and security.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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