Rutherford Statement on the Final Four FY26 Appropriations Bills Passage

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05), member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the House passage of theFiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act:

"With the passage of these final appropriations bills, Congress will deliver core tenets of American strength to the American people, including combat-ready forces, a secure border, effective education and health systems, and modern transportation. That's why I was proud to vote for, and pass, the final four full-year funding bills in the House today.

"These bills will cut billions of dollars in wasteful spending, delivering real savings for Americans. It also brings a lot of great wins to our area, including funding to support road and airport infrastructure in Northeast Florida."

Included in this legislation are Rutherford's priorities to:

• Restore American military superiority

• Increase pay by 3.8% for all servicemembers

• Reduce Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves to improve quality of life for servicemembers and their families

• Support our military installations in Northeast Florida

• Provide funding for the procurement of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft made in St. Augustine

• Defund DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs, Critical Race Theory, and abortion-related travel within the Department of War

• Counter adversaries like China by strengthening American air, land, and maritime security

• Prevent terrorists, criminals, and illegals from crossing our border

• Stop fentanyl and transnational crime by strengthening DHS counter-drug, human trafficking, and child exploitation enforcement

• Safeguard American taxpayer dollars by cutting waste and reducing federal bureaucracy

• Protect the right to life by prohibiting taxpayer funding for abortion on demand

• Modernize American transportation infrastructure and air traffic control

• Improve transportation safety and mobility nationwide by investing in highways, ports, and airways

• Boost FEMA disaster relief and firefighter grants to keep communities safe and resilient

• Safeguard Social Security by enhancing frontline customer service and program integrity

• Protect American job creators

• Combat homelessness, preserve affordable housing, and address health and safety risks

• Prioritize funding for rural health to help Americans access critical care

• Support President Trump's America First agenda

Learn more here.