Congress moves towards final foreign aid funding levels in FY26
On January 11, Congress released the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding levels for global health and education. The National Security, Department of State and Related Programs (NSRP, formerly known as SFOPS) bill is the result of negotiations between the House and Senate. It was passed by the House on January 14, and is likely to pass the Senate quickly.
While there are issues with the bill, you should be very proud that your advocacy mitigated harmful cuts. Throughout last year, many people expected that foreign aid funding would be slashed severely. The President’s budget request tried to zero out many lifesaving programs. But this bill is a clear sign that Congress understands the importance of global health funding, and is willing to defy the President’s budget.
Maternal and child health, nutrition, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance were flat-funded from last year (FY25). This is a powerful show of support for lifesaving programs around the world. Tuberculosis received a 4% cut of around $15 million. Unfortunately, basic education was cut significantly, with an additional decrease from the proposed FY26 House number. However, full funding for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) was maintained.
The Global Fund level was set to $1.25 billion, below FY25’s $1.65 billion and the House-proposed $1.5 billion. However, this matches the recent U.S. pledge of $4.6 billion over the next three years. The language reiterates that this is the first installment of that pledge. It also directs the State Department to fulfill last replenishment’s pledge, which has still not been spent. This is a critically important sentence. It shows that Congress will not allow the Administration to “double count” existing funds as part of the new pledge. Your advocacy has helped educate members of Congress on how that double counting is deceptive and harmful.
FY26 Global Health and Education Funding Levels
Overall, global health was cut by 6% in the NSRP bill. But many of our issue areas were barely affected, or even fully maintained from last fiscal year. The bill also strengthened language to ensure the appropriated money is actually spent. And it requires the Administration to report on their spending plans quarterly. These guardrails will help keep global health programs funded and maintain Congress’s power of the purse.
It’s not a coincidence that many of our issues were protected. Members of Congress have heard your stories, read the Dear Colleague letters you sent. They listened when you told them that foreign aid funding must be protected. Now, tell them to continue supporting the highest possible funding levels, and include guardrails to ensure the Administration spends the money as directed.