The Congresso of the Estados Unidos moved forward on Tuesday, January 20, with the release of a package of four spending bills for fiscal year 2026. Transportes and Habitação, in addition to smaller agencies. The measure avoids the risk of a government shutdown, as the current interim budget resolution expires on January 30.
Lawmakers from both parties highlighted specific points in the package. Republicanos emphasized bureaucracy reductions in some agencies, while Democrats celebrated the maintenance of funds in sensitive areas. O acordo reflete negociações intensas para equilibrar propostas do governo Trump com prioridades congressuais.
The package represents the final half of the budget process for 2026. Ele includes salary adjustments, strategic hiring and rejection of deep cuts suggested by the federal administration.
Salary increase and hiring in aviation
The Administração Federal of Aviação (FAA) receives US$ 1.58 billion in the proposed budget for 2026. Muitos controllers work six days a week with mandatory overtime.
The package allocates US$140 million to implement a 3.8% increase in the salaries of controllers, supervisors and managers. The increase takes effect retroactively to January 2026 if the FAA administrator confirms improvements in staffing planning and operational efficiencies. Essa condition seeks to improve aviation safety.
- Hiring 2,500 new controllers
- Adjustment of 3.8% conditional on operational gains
- Total budget of US$1.58 billion for the FAA
Reductions based on shrinking federal workforce
Republicans in Comitê of Orçamento highlight cuts that reflect the reduction in federal employees. The agreement codifies Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recommendations to reduce bureaucracy by 29% in the departments of Transportes and Habitação and Desenvolvimento Urbano (HUD). Essas measures generate savings without affecting essential services.
At HUD, the 24% reduction in staff results in savings of $348 million in salaries and expenses. No Departamento of Transportes, the 5% frame cropping occurs through resizing. Dados of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) indicate that more than 300,000 federal employees left the government last year, with a net loss of 220,000 after new hires.
President Donald Trump stated that the cuts were necessary due to previous excesses. Ele mentioned that many former employees obtained better paying jobs in the private sector.
Maintenance of funds in Departamento of Educação
The agreement rejects proposals from the Trump government for $12 billion in cuts to Departamento from Educação. The discretionary budget remains at $79 billion, roughly flat from current levels. Legisladores blocked plans to dismantle the agency and transfer functions.
Secretary Linda McMahon had initiated program and personnel reallocations. However, the congressional package prevents the department from definitively closing. Senator Patty Murray emphasized that Congresso has the final say on taxpayer spending.
The agreement has already included six interinstitutional transfers to other departments. Apesar Furthermore, the main structure of the federal Educação remains intact.
Increases in health, welfare and mental services
The Departamento of Saúde and Serviços Humanos (HHS) receives $116.8 billion in discretionary spending, up $210 million. The package rejects a cut of almost 20% proposed by the government and maintains financing for Centros of Controle and Prevenção of Doenças (CDC) at current levels. Programas of pandemic preparedness gains reinforcements.
Administração of Serviços of Saúde Mental and Abuso of Substâncias (SAMHSA) gets $7.4 billion, up $65 million. Esses resources combat opioid overdoses, especially fentanyl, and expand prevention and treatment. The agreement vetoes SAMHSA’s reorganization and suggested 15% cut.
Democrats included safeguards for proper allocation of funds. Recentemente, HHS suspended and reversed temporary cuts of $2 billion in funding for chemical dependency.
Administração of Previdência Social (SSA) earns $15 billion administrative, an increase of $554 million. The value helps to improve customer service and resume hiring. The agency has lost more than 7,000 employees in the last year and faces operational challenges.
Preservation of smaller agencies and labor compliance
Small independent agencies, threatened by executive order, receive continued funding. Instituto of Serviços of Museus and Bibliotecas get $292 million, with a $3 million minimum cut. Conselho Interagências over Pessoas into Situação out of Rua wins $3 million.
A court injunction suspended plans to eliminate these entities. The package reinforces the decision to maintain essential operations.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), of Departamento of Trabalho, receives US$ 101 million, a reduction of 9%. The agency monitors non-discrimination in federal contracts and avoids previously proposed total elimination. Avisos of dismissal for 90% of staff were revoked, with internal reallocations.
Departamento of Trabalho totals $13.7 billion discretionary, slight increase.
FAA Operational Details and Air Safety
The FAA faces chronic staffing challenges that affect daily operations. The shortage of controllers increases the risk of fatigue and compromises efficiency in national airspace. The package prioritizes hiring and readjustment to attract and retain qualified professionals.
The 3.8% increase aligns with that given to federal law enforcement agents in January. Controladores were not initially included in the OPM list. The implementation condition depends on administrative assessment on security and planning.
These measures aim to modernize the air traffic system. The budget reinforces investments in infrastructure and associated technology.
Context of bipartisan negotiations
The president of Comitê of Orçamento of Câmara, Tom Cole, described the package as a zero-waste result. Ele highlighted overcoming obstacles to complete the budget process. Representative Rosa DeLauro reinforced her rejection of the extreme cuts proposed by Casa Branca.
The agreement balances partisan views on sensitive issues. Republicanos advance government efficiency, while Democrats protect social and educational programs.
Negotiations involved committees from Câmara and Senado. The final package avoids downtime and guarantees continuity of federal services until the end of the fiscal year.
