ACC
06 Feb 2026
U.S. House of Representatives cleared a massive FY 2026 “minibus” appropriations bill that covers five agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Congress carved out the section that funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and granted a two-week extension to allow lawmakers time to reach an agreement on ICE reform.
The bill fully funds the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at authorized levels and includes an additional $577 million in supplemental spending for airports; $540 million of this is for congressionally designated projects (see the list here).
**A reminder that the deadline for FY 2026 AIP entitlement declaration is February 27, 2026.
The funding levels in the bill for the FAA include:
The bill includes:
-
$300 million from the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program
-
$68.7 million from the Airport Terminal Program (ATP)
-
$15 million for the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP).
-
$513 million for the Essential Air Service (ESA).
-
$15 million for the Small Community Air Service Development Program (ACASDP).
-
$40 million for FAA workforce development grants.
-
$95 million in additional funding over FY 2025 for air traffic controller (ATC) hiring and training.
Funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) remains in limbo as the DHS is under a 2-week extension. The bill provides $330 million for checkpoint security.
Please contact ACC President TJ Schulz with any questions or feedback.
