House protects global health and education funding in FY27 bill

The House Appropriations committee approved their foreign aid funding bill this week. The National Security, Department of State and Related Programs (NSRP) bill will fund global health and development for fiscal year 2027 (FY27). 

Overall, the House bill cuts global health funding from $9.42 billion in FY26 to $8.88 billion. International Humanitarian Assistance also received a cut of $400 million. The bill does not include the stronger accountability language supporting Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria we hoped for. It also doesn’t include our requested increases to critical global health programs.

However, we can celebrate that our priority issue areas were maintained despite the global health topline decrease. The House rejected the severe cuts proposed in the President’s Budget request. The Global Fund, Tuberculosis, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Gavi, and Basic Education were all flat-funded at FY26 levels. While that doesn’t meet the full need, it will provide lifesaving resources for millions around the world.

*The House bill designates $121.6 million for education multilateral partnerships, which may include both the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW).

The NSRP bill also includes strong reporting requirements for tuberculosis and child health programs. It calls for more accountability to ensure programs reach the communities that need them most. During the Appropriations committee’s debate on the bill, Gavi took center stage. Representatives spoke up in support of Gavi and shared its lifesaving impact. Members from both sides of the aisle pledged to work together to release previously-appropriated Gavi funding that is being held up by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This bipartisan agreement is a good sign for future action on foreign aid.

In both the House and Senate, appropriations work is ongoing. The Senate State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) subcommittee will start work on their version of the bill, which we expect to be released in June. But the final FY27 bills will likely not be completed until the end of this year. So all members of Congress still have the opportunity to weigh in. They can speak personally to Appropriations committee leadership to follow up on our issues. They should urge them to include the highest possible funding levels for global health, education, and humanitarian assistance. 

Throughout this first phase of FY27 advocacy, we’ve seen much more bipartisan support for foreign aid than last year. The House has proved they’re willing to oppose severe cuts proposed by the White House. That’s a great sign that our advocacy is working! Next, the Senate must also reject further cuts to global health and development. They must also include strong language on accountability and reporting.

Now is a great time to thank members of Congress that supported our issues by signing on to FY27 Dear Colleague letters. Urge them to keep pushing for high funding levels as appropriations season continues!