Thursday, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) voted to pass a three-bill appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2026 that reins in wasteful spending, strengthens public safety, restores American energy dominance, and protects the nation’s public lands.
“This package delivers full-year funding, cuts Biden-era waste, and advances the America First mandate,” Rep. Yakym said. “These bills lower costs, strengthen public safety, restore energy dominance, protect public lands, and deliver real results for Hoosiers and Americans.”
Highlights from each section of the bill are below:
Commerce, Justice, Science
- Increases funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration by $63 million to end the scourge of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
- Levels the economic playing field for everyday Americans by increasing funding to the United States Trade Representative by 18% to hold other nations accountable for decades of unfair trade practices.
- Mandates that the Executive Office for Immigration Review increase immigration adjudications and hold immigration judges accountable.
- Reduces the costs of living for everyday Americans by fostering economic growth.
Energy and Water Development
- Provides $20 billion for the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile.
- Prohibits the sale of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the Chinese Communist Party.
- Includes one of the largest investments focused on mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction in decades, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- Eliminates the Biden-era Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
Interior and Environment
- Increases funding for law enforcement to protect the public on lands within National Wildlife Refuges and the Bureau of Land Management.
- Raises funding for offshore conventional energy development by $11.2 million at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
- Exempts farmers and livestock producers from burdensome greenhouse gas permitting and reporting requirements.
- Reduces funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by $320 million.
Illinois State Police to conduct ACE patrols in Lawrence County
Parkside Elementary cleanup update
Knox County to host public meeting on solar projects
Red Hill Unit #10 hires new principal and adopts new student technology policy
Ameren announces proposed electric rate changes
Early childhood education programs earn highest rating
Illinois state sales tax reduction for school supplies to begin for parents
Local man killed in a two vehicle accident
Celebrate 217 Concert Week with $26 grandstand tickets
New Office of Cybersecurity established in Indiana
FRESH begins across Illinois
Kratos completes $50 million state-of-the-art hypersonic systems payload integration facility in Indiana
FSSA to text HIP members about HIP work requirements
Lawrence County woman to be inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame
