Representative Ed Case Votes Against FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Measure

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) has voted against the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations measure, citing its weakening of Congress's oversight powers. The bill provides $5 billion to fund the U.S. House of Representatives, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Library of Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Capitol Police. Case criticized the Republican majority's proposal to cut the GAO's budget by almost 50% and expressed concerns about the prohibition on the GAO bringing civil actions against the executive branch for failing to comply with the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations measure provides $5 billion, a decrease of $272 million or 5 percent below the FY 2025 enacted level.
  • The bill supports the U.S. House of Representatives, the CBO, the GAO, the Library of Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Capitol Police.
  • Representative Ed Case voted against the bill due to its weakening of Congress's oversight powers, including a proposed cut to the GAO's budget by almost 50%.
  • The bill prohibits the GAO from bringing civil actions against the executive branch for failing to comply with the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
  • Case secured funding for key programs and provisions, including $20.6 million for intern salaries, support for an amendment allowing DACA recipients to work in the U.S. Congress, and $1.9 million for the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.
  • The measure's provisions weakening Congress's oversight powers include a significant reduction in funding for the GAO and the prohibition on civil actions against the executive branch.
  • The bill has moved on to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Statistics:

  • Proposed FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations measure: $5 billion
  • Decrease from FY 2025 enacted level: $272 million or 5 percent
  • Reduction in funding for the GAO: $396.5 million or 48.8 percent below fiscal year 2025
  • Prohibition on civil actions against the executive branch: 40+ open investigations by the GAO into potential withholding of funds
  • Funding secured for intern salaries: $20.6 million
  • Funding secured for the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services: $1.9 million
  • Reduction in funding for the Library of Congress: $84.6 million or 10 percent below fiscal year 2025

Sources:

  • [1] Congressman Ed Case (Hawai'i -- District 1) (Washington, DC) -- U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee
  • [2] U.S. House of Representatives -- A summary of the bill is available here
  • [3] Case's speech (available here)
  • [4] Government Accountability Office (GAO)
  • [5] Library of Congress
  • [6] Architect of the Capitol
  • [7] Capitol Police
  • [8] Congressional Budget Office (CBO)