LaLota Secures Big Wins for Suffolk County, Troop Pay Raise in FY26 Funding Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota (R–Suffolk County), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the House advanced a bipartisan and bicameral Fiscal Year 2026 funding package that strengthens national security, reins in federal bureaucracy, and delivers targeted investments for Long Island families, workers, and small businesses. The package has since been signed into law by President Trump.

The legislation funds core government functions across Financial Services and General Government, Defense, Labor–Health and Human Services–Education, Transportation and Housing, Department of State, and critical authorizing extensions, while prioritizing fiscal discipline, public safety, and economic growth.

“This package delivers real, tangible results for Suffolk County, includes five Community Project Funding initiatives totaling more than $15.35 million, invests in critical infrastructure like road repaving and transportation safety, and delivers a 3.8 percent pay raise for our servicemembers — a meaningful raise for the many military families who call Long Island home,” said LaLota. ”The legislation makes major investments in our local industrial base, supporting defense manufacturers, advanced research, and good-paying jobs across Long Island. From strengthening missile defense and shipbuilding to funding innovation at companies and universities in our district, these dollars keep Long Island at the center of America’s national security and defense supply chain.”

He added that the health extenders included in the package deliver critical stability for Suffolk County’s healthcare system.

“In addition to these local projects, this package extends key healthcare programs and includes my Save Our Safety Net Hospitals Act, preventing cuts that would have hit safety-net hospitals serving high numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients across Suffolk County. By preserving these protections, the legislation helps hospitals manage uncompensated care, maintain essential services, and continue providing reliable access to care for Long Island families, without creating new mandatory spending or expanding federal bureaucracy. That’s how you deliver real results back home while governing responsibly.”

BACKGROUND:

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives advanced a comprehensive Fiscal Year 2026 funding package that includes the Financial Services and General Government, Defense, Labor–Health and Human Services–Education, Transportation and Housing, and State Department appropriations bills, as well as related authorizing extensions. Together, these measures deliver significant funding and policy wins for New York’s First Congressional District while strengthening national security, supporting working families, and cutting wasteful federal bureaucracy.

Strengthening Financial Oversight, Public Safety, and Small Business Funding

• $26.5 billion in discretionary funding for Financial Services and General Government agencies, while cutting $140 million from non-defense discretionary spending compared to FY25 enacted levels;

• $13.063 billion for the Department of the Treasury, including funding for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to counter illicit finance and protect the U.S. financial system;

• $21 million for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to scrutinize foreign investment and protect national security;

• $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund to expand access to capital and technical assistance in underserved communities;

• $1 billion for the Small Business Administration, including entrepreneurial development, loans, and disaster loan programs supporting Long Island small businesses;

• $299 million for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) to combat fentanyl and synthetic narcotics impacting Long Island communities; and

• $9.69 billion for the Federal Judiciary to support court operations, security enhancements, and cybersecurity.

Historic Investment in National Defense and Support for Servicemembers

• $839.2 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Defense to maintain American military superiority;

• A 3.8 percent pay raise for all servicemembers, effective January 1, 2026;

• $27.2 billion for shipbuilding, including Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines critical to deterrence;

• $6.4 billion for munitions production to strengthen supply chains and readiness;

• $4.5 billion for hypersonic weapons testing and infrastructure;

• $13.4 billion for missile defense and space-based protection programs; and

• $1.1 billion for counter-drug programs to disrupt international trafficking networks.

Major Defense, Research, and Manufacturing Wins for Long Island

• Funding to support Long Island defense manufacturers and research institutions that sustain good-paying jobs and strengthen the defense industrial base, including programs that benefit advanced manufacturing, aerospace, maritime systems, and defense technology development across the region.

• More than $35 million for SUNY Stony Brook University to support energy security, advanced drone technologies, and battlefield innovation; and

• $17 million for America’s VetDogs to support Veterans and wounded warriors through service dog programs.

Strengthening Healthcare Access and Workforce Readiness

• Approximately $221 billion in discretionary funding for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education programs while reducing federal bureaucracy;

• $49 billion for the National Institutes of Health to sustain American leadership in biomedical research;

• $1.9 billion for Community Health Centers to expand access to primary care;

• $7.4 billion for mental health and substance use treatment, including opioid response and first responder training;

• Includes Rep. LaLota’s Save Our Safety Net Hospitals Act, which modernizes the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment methodology, protecting safety-net hospitals serving low-income and uninsured patient populations from critical DSH payment cuts, while also allowing greater flexibility for states to utilize these funds.

• Extension of mandatory funding for Community Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps;

• $285 million for apprenticeship expansion and skilled-trades workforce development; and

• Maintenance of the maximum Pell Grant at $6,335.

Investments in Transportation Safety and Infrastructure

• $102.883 billion in discretionary funding for Transportation and Housing programs focused on safety, mobility, and infrastructure modernization;

• $22.209 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize air traffic control infrastructure and hire 2,500 air traffic controllers;

• $64.323 billion for the Federal Highway Administration;

• $16.523 billion for the Federal Transit Administration;

• $1.577 billion for Amtrak’s National Network, including $850 million for the Northeast Corridor;

• $700 million for the Gateway Project; and

• Targeted FAA investments to modernize aging, outage-prone air traffic control facilities in the New York region.

Direct Community Project Funding Wins for Suffolk County

• Five additional Community Project Funding initiatives totaling more than $15.35 million, including:

• $5,000,000 for the Town of Smithtown Townwide Road Repaving Project

• $5,000,000 for the Harbor Road / Town of Brookhaven Townwide Road Repaving Projects

• $3,500,000 for the Town of Huntington Townwide Road Repaving Project

• $1,500,000 for the York Hall Historic Preservation Project

• $350,000 for Suffolk County’s Riverhead Brownfield Remediation Project

Other Critical Priorities

• Fully funds the World Trade Center Health Program, providing billions to ensure continued medical monitoring and treatment for 9/11 responders and survivors, including those living on Long Island and across the country;

• Provides funding for the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and recognition of its heroes; and

• Extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until September 30, 2026, protecting Long Island homeowners and businesses from costly flood risks.

Rep. LaLota serves on the House Appropriations Committee and has consistently fought to ensure Suffolk County receives robust federal investment while advancing policies that strengthen national security, promote American competitiveness, and protect constitutional freedoms. These funding bills represent the culmination of extensive work with local officials, research institutions, and stakeholders across Long Island to identify and secure critical resources for the region.

As the only Republican from the Northeast on the Appropriations Committee, Congressman LaLota worked closely with Committee leadership and bipartisan colleagues to advance federal investments supporting national defense, transportation and housing infrastructure, healthcare and workforce programs, financial services oversight, and international engagement. These efforts maximized support for Long Island’s research institutions, environmental programs, public safety initiatives, and community infrastructure projects. The Congressman’s focus on securing transformational investments in scientific research and critical infrastructure strengthens Long Island’s position as a hub for innovation while delivering tangible benefits to families and communities across Suffolk County.