Senate Appropriations Committee

Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett will testify on Capitol Hill next week before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees regarding the Supreme Court's budget request. The court seeks a $14 million security increase for fiscal 2027, with the House proposing a $207 million funding level. Lawmakers aim to focus on operational expenses rather than pending cases.

A bill authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian would allow the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and general law cities to use 'best value' contracting for large construction projects. The measure, AB 1786, cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee and is advancing toward the Senate floor.

Senator Susan Collins chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, playing a critical role in funding the U.S. military and addressing national defense needs amid technological advancements and partisan challenges.

Sens. Susan Collins and Patty Murray, previously collaborative bipartisan partners on Senate Appropriations Committee funding bills, are now publicly feuding over spending measures. Collins faces criticism for aligning with a record military budget request, while Murray is accused of delaying negotiations ahead of the November elections. The conflict risks delaying funding decisions until after the elections.

The Trump administration requested $87.6 billion in emergency funding to cover the cost of the war in Iran and other expenses. The proposal lacks broad Democratic support, complicating its potential passage into law.

President Trump's $87.6 billion Iran war funding request faces skepticism from both parties in Congress. Democrats like Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Jack Reed criticize the proposal, while some Democrats remain open to parts of it. Republicans also express concerns, including Rep. Chip Roy opposing ethanol provisions and Sen. Susan Collins planning a hearing due to discrepancies in the request.

The White House requested $87.6 billion from Congress to cover costs related to the U.S. war against Iran, economic aid for farmers, and the Ebola response. The request faces political challenges as lawmakers from both parties have criticized the war and expressed uncertainty about funding.

Sen. Mitch McConnell will not vote this week as he continues his recovery. His absence will cancel planned Senate Appropriations Committee markups. McConnell was hospitalized earlier this month and missed last week's votes, with the Senate starting a two-week recess later this week.

Sen. Susan Collins discusses her childhood work in potato fields in Caribou, Maine, as foundational to her political career and work ethic. She faces Democratic nominee Graham Platner, who has faced scandals, and emphasizes her record of results over his 'angry rhetoric.'

Sen. Susan Collins emphasizes her work ethic developed through childhood potato farming in Maine as she campaigns against challenger Graham Platner, who faces scandals. Collins highlights her Senate achievements, including securing $1.5 billion for Maine, while criticizing Platner's 'angry rhetoric.'

The government funding process is stalled in the Senate as lawmakers struggle to resolve partisan disagreements over defense and domestic spending. Senate Appropriations Committee leaders Susan Collins and Patty Murray are involved in the deadlock.

Republicans passed a party-line budget reconciliation bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies through 2029, but lawmakers from both parties warn this action does not reduce the risk of a government shutdown. The Sept. 30 funding deadline and partisan disagreements over military and nondefense spending totals continue to threaten a funding lapse.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee, explaining the Trump administration's rationale for the February 28 bombing attack on Iran, citing concerns over Iran's military buildup of drones and missiles. He emphasized the administration's priority to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program by addressing the risk of overwhelming U.S. defenses.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins accused Democrats of refusing to negotiate government funding bills ahead of a September shutdown deadline, leading to stalled markups. Democrats, led by Patty Murray, dispute Collins' claims, arguing Republicans insist on excessive defense spending and block amendments to counter Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund.'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the State Department’s fiscal 2027 budget request and the Middle East turmoil. The hearing follows his questioning in the House by Democrats regarding the Iran war and stalled negotiations.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the primary border wall will be completed by June 2027, with a secondary wall expected by summer 2028. He stated contracts for the project will be finalized by the end of the month and emphasized progress on construction.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the primary border wall from the Pacific to the Gulf of America will be completed by June 2027, with the secondary wall expected by summer 2028. He emphasized progress in contracts and the need for the secondary wall due to cartel activities.

A Senate Appropriations Committee hearing was disrupted by a heated exchange between Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin over allegations of a 'pattern' of abuse in immigration enforcement. Van Hollen cited recent DHS-involved shootings and pressed for evidence sharing with state authorities, while Mullin denied a pattern exists. Sen. Chris Murphy also criticized DHS spending and compliance with court orders.

A Senate Appropriations Committee hearing was disrupted by a heated exchange between Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin over allegations of a 'pattern' of abuse in DHS immigration enforcement. Van Hollen cited recent DHS-involved shootings and demanded evidence sharing with Minnesota authorities, while Mullin denied a pattern exists, arguing three incidents out of 1900 daily are not significant. Sen. Chris Murphy also criticized DHS spending and court violations.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins postponed committee action on government funding bills as Democrats prepare amendments targeting the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,' which has drawn opposition from congressional Republicans. The delay follows discussions about blocking Trump administration policies and disagreements over funding levels for agencies including the Justice Department and FBI.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on President Trump’s fiscal 2027 budget request as GOP lawmakers seek to advance a reconciliation bill to fund DHS. Senate Republicans face a roadblock over criticism of the Justice Department’s nearly $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund.'

Sen. Chris Murphy stated that ending the war with Iran will be his main focus when questioning Secretary of State Marco Rubio before the Senate Appropriations Committee. The discussion is scheduled to occur this week.

State Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, consistently opposed his party during the 2026 legislative session, aligning with Democrats on issues like budget debates and gerrymandered congressional maps. His independent actions led to the loss of his Senate Appropriations Committee chair role, which he attributed to questioning party leadership.

A Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the NIH's fiscal year 2027 budget focused on immediate concerns including a leadership vacuum at the infectious disease institute, slow funding pace, and Trump administration policy impacts. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and five institute directors faced questions about these pressing issues rather than the proposed budget itself.

Jeffery Taubenberger, who has been serving as acting head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since April 2025, has stepped down according to Sen. Tammy Baldwin. The exact timing and reasons for his departure remain unclear, with the Department of Health and Human Services declining to comment on his status.

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee on President Trump's 2027 budget proposal, which includes a $5 billion cut to the agency and elimination of five of its 27 institutes. While these drastic proposals are unlikely to pass given lawmakers' previous rejection of even steeper 2026 cuts, the biomedical research community remains under significant stress.

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday regarding President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request. The White House is proposing a $5 billion reduction in NIH funding, which includes cuts to grant and research programs.

Florida hospitals received significant Medicaid funding in a timely manner. The article mentions an upcoming NIH budget testimony by director Jay Bhattacharya before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate Republicans are expected to remove funding for President Trump's East Wing ballroom renovation and additional Secret Service security from their party-line immigration bill due to insufficient GOP support. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins prefers to limit funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Democrats plan to shift their amendment focus to Trump's $1.8 billion fund for political allies.

Senator Tammy Baldwin discusses the ongoing fight between President Donald Trump and Congress over control of federal spending, and the success of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline has led to a notable reduction in youth suicide. Baldwin highlights the need for guardrails to ensure proper spending of taxpayer dollars.

The Justice Department's new $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' created from Trump's lawsuit settlement is drawing concerns from both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced tough questioning about how the fund would operate, who would receive compensation, and whether Jan. 6 rioters could qualify for payouts. Senate Republican leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune, expressed discomfort with the fund and questioned its purpose.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is testifying before a Senate Appropriations Committee on President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request, which includes $26.6 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Transportation Department. The hearing comes amid airline price hikes due to jet fuel shortage. Duffy is expected to face questions on this issue.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Senator Chris Van Hollen of lying during a hearing about the Justice Department's fiscal year 2027 budget and the Anti-Weaponization Fund. The fund has been criticized as a 'slush fund' for Trump's allies, particularly those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Van Hollen raised concerns that the money would go to individuals indicted and charged for their involvement in the riots.

Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee about a settlement between President Trump and the Justice Department, which includes a $1.7 billion fund. The fund is designated as an 'anti-weaponization fund'.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Justice Department will not recommend a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficking co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein serving a 20-year sentence. However, the final decision rests with President Donald Trump, whose position on her potential clemency remains unclear. Blanche also apologized for the DOJ's failure to properly redact victims' identities in the released Epstein files.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee on President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request, seeking $40.8 billion for the Department of Justice. The budget request represents a 13 percent increase from 2026 levels. Todd Blanche took over after former Secretary Pam Bondi was ousted.

The FBI has requested $7 million for a digital watermarking solution to track leaks and monitor its own employees, embedding unique forensic markers in documents to identify sources of unauthorized disclosures. The budget request also describes a User Activity Monitoring (UAM) program requesting $11.4 million to shift from reactive leak detection to proactive insider risk identification. These surveillance programs were revealed in the FY 2027 FBI Budget Request to Congress and acknowledged publicly under a section titled 'Transparency of Government and Promoting Public Trust.'

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, might be voted out of office, potentially harming the state's finances. She is the only New England Republican in Congress. This situation could have long-term effects on Maine's economy.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner is testifying before a Senate Appropriations Committee on President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request, seeking $73.5 billion for HUD to tackle homelessness and affordability concerns. The Trump administration's budget request focuses on addressing key urban development issues. Lawmakers are pressed to review the proposal.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request, which seeks to cut EPA funding by 52 percent. The proposed budget authority for the EPA is $4.2 billion. The hearing follows President Trump's previous actions regarding the EPA.