House Republicans Appoint Majority Conferees for Fiscal 2026 Appropriations Bills

The House of Representatives has marked a significant shift in its legislative approach by passing a motion to move to conference with the Senate on the fiscal 2026 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts. This decision paves the way for a return to regular order in the appropriations process, a concept that has been largely absent since Fiscal Year 2019.

Key Takeaways:

• The House Appropriations Committee, led by Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), has appointed 14 Republican conferees to negotiate with the Senate on the fiscal 2026 appropriations bills.
• The appointed conferees include Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Subcommittee Chairmen Robert Aderholt (R-AL), John Carter (R-TX), Andy Harris (R-MD), and David Valadao (R-CA), among others.
• This marks the first time since Fiscal Year 2019 that regular appropriations bills have proceeded to a conference committee, demonstrating a renewed commitment to restoring regular order in the appropriations process.
• The appointed conferees represent a diverse range of subcommittees, including Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch.

Statistics:

• 14 Republican conferees have been appointed to negotiate with the Senate on the fiscal 2026 appropriations bills.
• The conferees include 1 Committee Chairman, 3 Subcommittee Chairmen, and 10 additional Representatives.
• This marks a significant shift in the legislative approach, with regular appropriations bills proceeding to a conference committee for the first time since Fiscal Year 2019.

Sources:

• House Appropriations Committee, Republicans: Press Release.