House Passes Minibus with FY 2026 Interior Appropriations

1/9/2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.   –  On January 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three government spending bills including the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by a bipartisan vote of 397-28.  The three bills were passed as a “minibus” appropriations package that is now headed to the Senate.  Quick action is needed to prevent another Federal government shutdown impacting the U.S. Department of the Interior on January 30, 2026.

Under the leadership of House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (Chickasaw of Oklahoma), the bill represents a significant victory for Indian Affairs programs, prioritizing fiscal stability and budget certainty for healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure.  

The bill rejects nearly $1 billion in cuts to Indian Affairs programs that had been proposed by the Trump Administration.  Overall, the bill would provide $2.4 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).  

The bill also provides $5.3 billion in advance appropriations for Indian Health Service (IHS) for Fiscal Year 2027.  Securing these funds now ensures that Tribal healthcare systems, which serve 2.5 million people, can continue to operate through 2027 without the disruptions caused by government shutdowns or funding gaps.  In total, the bill provides $8.05 billion for IHS, including $42.32 million to fund staffing at new facilities.

As a part of BIA funding, the Committee prioritized Tribal law enforcement, providing $570.06 million for Public Safety and Justice programs, a $14.5 million increase above previous enacted levels.  Key provisions include:

• The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women program has been allocated $18.5 million, an increase of $2 million over the previous funding level; and

• $48 million for DNA-related and forensic activities, providing Tribes with the technical resources necessary for complex criminal investigations.

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is slated to receive $1.37 billion in approved funding, with $234.7 million specifically dedicated to school facilities to help provide students with safe, modern learning environments.  The bill also maintains funding for the Indian Guaranteed Loan Program ($13.3 million) and the Tribal Energy Loan Program ($6.3 million), empowering Tribes to continue pursuing energy independence and economic diversification.

The bill supports the stewardship of Tribal lands and heritage through:

• $23.75 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices;

• Over $310 million for Tribal forestry management; and

• $6.2 million in competitive grants for wildlife programs through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The budget certainty provided by the bill creates a unique opportunity for long-term contracting, infrastructure planning, and healthcare staffing. We recommend that Tribes begin reviewing their strategic plans now to ensure they are positioned to maximize these funding streams.

Skenandore Wilson LLP is dedicated to the representation of Tribal Nations, Tribal entities, and individual Tribal members throughout Indian Country.  Our mission is to support and advance the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of our Tribal clients.  To learn more about how we can assist you, contact us at info@skenandorewilson.com or 608-608-1210.