Senate Panel Advances Government Funding Bills for Defense, Health, Education, and Labor

WASHINGTON—The Senate Appropriations Committee on July 31 voted to favorably report two bills to the full Senate that would fund the U.S. government’s defense, health promotion, education, and labor initiatives for the 2026 fiscal year.

On July 31, shortly before the Senate adjourned for its planned summer recess, which usually covers the whole month of August, the Appropriations Committee voted to send two of 12 appropriations bills to the full Senate for its consideration. The advancement of the bill from the committee, known as being “favorably reported,” is an important step before the bill can be debated, amended, and passed by the Senate, after which the whole process will occur in the House of Representatives.