Funding Bill Moves Forward in Senate

On Wednesday, Senator Katie Britt from Alabama, who serves on the Senate Budget Committee, participated in the advancement of the 2026 Expenditures Committee concerning Labor, Health and Welfare, Education, and Related Institutions. This bill will be up for consideration in the full Senate before making its way to the House of Representatives.

Britt successfully secured over $28.63 million for Alabama’s medical facilities, hospitals, and universities as part of congressional spending initiatives.

“I believe the medical and academic sectors in Alabama have a solid advocate in me,” Britt remarked. “These investments in research, local hospitals, mental health, childcare, and education are sure to bolster our communities for years to come, creating opportunities for people to thrive and pursue their American dreams.”

Here’s a summary of the funding included in the bill:

• $3 million allocated for the City of Enterprise Healthcare Bureau to purchase and set up surgical robots aimed at enhancing patient care.
• $300,000 designated for the Coosa County Emergency Management Association for ambulance procurement.
• $2.5 million for surgical robot acquisitions by the Kalman Regional Medical Center.
• Faulkner University received funding for mobile care clinics, totaling $1.3 million to improve healthcare access.
• $500,000 for Monroe County Hospital for mammography and CT scanning equipment.
• $2 million allocated to the Southern Institute for infrastructure and equipment.
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is set to receive $1.66 million to procure CT scanners for Blount Hospital.
• $102 million for nursing education equipment at the University of North Alabama.
• $2 million aimed at the Veterans Recovery Center for addiction treatment and patient care resources.
• $5.74 million allocated for the Alabama Community College System to support statewide workforce development training.
• Tuskegee University will benefit from $5.29 million, which includes scholarships for students.
• Montevaro University received $1 million for healthcare worker training equipment.
• $1.8 million for nursing education equipment at West Alabama University.

In her statement, Britt mentioned her backing of $48.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including more than $7.37 billion for the National Cancer Institute. She also expressed support for sustained language prohibiting indirect cost rates and ensuring timely NIH distributions.

Additionally, Britt emphasized her commitment to key healthcare and education programs, pushing for $8.8 billion for CCDBG’s Parenting and Development Block Grants, $12.4 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, and $315 million for preschool development block grants. She also highlighted a new requirement for the Department of Education to diversify funds within certain deadlines, including $90 million for K-12 educator development.

Within the bill, Britt advocated for ongoing and increased funding for various programs: $2.193 billion for the National Institute of Mental Health, $534.6 million for the 9-8-8 Lifeline, and $73.4 million for NIH improvements. Her efforts also include $66.3 million for rural hospital flexibility grants, $14 million for rural residency programs, and $333.5 million for nursing workforce development.

The FY26 LHHS budgetary Act advanced with a bipartisan vote of 26-3, preserving legacy riders like the Hyde amendment and Title X, while ensuring funds from the Family Planning Fund are not used for abortion. The bill also features a $100 million increase in funding for the Social Security Administration to assist older adults in receiving their benefits.