Congressional Budget Update

With both chambers returning to Washington, D.C., this week, timelines are becoming clearer as Congress attempts to draft and move a reconciliation package as quickly as possible. The first set of markups in the House, including Armed Services, Education & Workforce, and Homeland Security, are set to begin this week. The House Committee on Energy & Commerce, which has been instructed to find $880 billion in savings from a budget that includes Medicaid, is tentatively slated to hold the markup for its portion of the reconciliation package on May 7.  

Additionally, the Administration reportedly is planning on delivering its first budget to Congress in mid-May, though this could change. Press reports indicate that President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget will propose very deep cuts in domestic and international programs, including potentially eliminating funding for Head Start. The appropriations process to develop the bills for FY 2026 (starting 10/1/25) has not begun, and the path forward is complicated by the Administration’s actions to block or rescind funding. The goal is to avoid another second “full year continuing resolution” that will effectively keep a spending freeze in place for domestic and other appropriated programs. We are working very closely with our National Council partners to engage lawmakers and stay informed on the various federal matters in process.  More information will be shared with Ohio Council members as it becomes available.