Congressman Ed Case Votes Against FY 2026 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill

Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii's 1st congressional district voted against the FY 2026 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill due to severe funding cuts to small business programs and agencies that protect the public. The bill's proposed discretionary funding level is $23.2 billion, $2.9 billion below the current FY 2025 enacted level. Case expressed concern over the funding reductions to programs that aid entrepreneurs, provide mentorship training, and expand trade opportunities. He also criticized the bill for slashing funding to agencies that protect the public, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.

Key Takeaways:

• Rep. Ed Case voted against the FY 2026 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill due to funding cuts to small business programs and agencies that protect the public.
• The bill's proposed discretionary funding level is $23.2 billion, $2.9 billion below the current FY 2025 enacted level.
• Case criticized the bill for slashing funding to programs that aid entrepreneurs, provide mentorship training, and expand trade opportunities.
• He also opposed the funding reductions to agencies that protect the public, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Rep. Case supported the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and urged full funding for the CDFI Fund.
• He offered an amendment to review current budget execution by the executive branch and provide recommendations on how to modernize and improve these frameworks.
• Case secured funding for various federal programs and services important for the State of Hawaii, including CDFIs, Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program, Native American Outreach Program, and Small Business Development Centers.

Statistics:

• $23.2 billion: Proposed discretionary funding level for the FY 2026 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill.
• $2.9 billion: Potential reduction in funding below the current FY 2025 enacted level.
• 134,000: Number of small businesses in Hawaii that would be impacted by funding cuts to programs that aid entrepreneurs.
• $47 million: Amount slashed from the current year appropriation for the CDFI Fund.
• $35 million: Funding approved for CDFIs.
• $35 million: Funding approved for the Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program.
• $5.3 million: Funding approved for the Native American Outreach Program.
• $150 million: Funding approved for Small Business Development Centers.
• $41 million: Funding approved for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program.
• $27 million: Funding approved for the Women's Business Centers Program.
• $11 million: Funding approved for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program.
• $10 million: Funding approved for the State Trade Expansion Program.
• $7 million: Funding approved for the Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs.
• $3 million: Funding approved for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program.
• $110 million: Funding approved for the Drug-Free Communities Program.
• $300 million: Funding approved for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program.
• $1.6 billion: Funding approved for Defender Services.

Sources:

• Rep. Ed Case, office of Hawaii Rep. Ed Case
• U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations
• Government Accountability Office (GAO)
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)
• Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program
• Native American Outreach Program
• Small Business Development Centers
• Microloan Technical Assistance Program
• Women's Business Centers Program
• Regional Innovation Clusters Program
• State Trade Expansion Program
• Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs
• Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program
• Drug-Free Communities Program
• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program
• Defender Services