Good afternoon,
The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the University of Missouri System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues.
If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders schniedersd@umsystem.edu and/or Emily Lucas el59bz@umsystem.edu.
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Capitol Hill News
Harris, Cole at FY27 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Subcommittee Markup
House Appropriations Committee – April 23, 2026
The House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2027 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.
A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.
Committee Approves Numerous FY27 Subcommittee Allocations
House Appropriations Committee – April 22, 2026
The House Appropriations Committee advanced numerous subcommittee allocations for Fiscal Year 2027. The measure was approved with a vote of 32 to 28.
- Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies: $26,270,000,000
- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: $77,341,000,000
- Financial Services and General Government: $25,298,000,000
- Legislative Branch: $7,300,000,000
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: $157,000,000,000
- National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs: $47,320,000,000
Committee Approves FY27 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act
House Appropriations Committee – April 21, 2026
The House Appropriations Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the Committee with a unanimous vote of 58 to 0. The bill reflects priorities of the America First agenda by including critical investments in military infrastructure that support readiness and the military families that utilize them. In addition, the bill provides $323.9 billion for mandatory programs, for a total of $469.49 billion in overall funding for Fiscal Year 2027.
Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.
Delegation News
Senator Eric Schmitt Press Release – April 17, 2026
Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) applauded the Trump Administration’s appointment of five Missourians to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee. The individuals appointed to serve on Missouri’s USDA FSA State Committee are: Chairwoman Robin Wenneker, Neal Bredehoeft, Barry Kagay, Kate Lambert, and Josh Worthington.
Alford Leads 29 Lawmakers in Bipartisan Call to Expand B-21 Program
Congressman Mark Alford Press Release – April 24, 2026
n a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09), Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) led 29 lawmakers in calling for the expansion of the B-21 Raider program in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. Global developments, including the pacing threat of the Chinese Communist Party as well as conflicts in eastern Europe and the Middle East, demand significantly more B-21s than the 100 aircraft originally planned. Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri’s Fourth District, which is currently the only operating base of the B-2 stealth bomber fleet, will be among those that house the B-21.
Congressional Calendar
House Appropriations Committee Releases FY27 Markup Schedule
On Monday, the House Committee on Appropriations Chair Tom Cole released the markup schedule for FY2027 appropriations bills.
National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Tuesday, April 28
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Tuesday, April 28
- Continuation of Full Committee Markup, if necessary at 10am on April 29
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee Markup at 8am on Thursday, April 30
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Wednesday, May 13
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee Markup at 9am on Friday, May 15
- Full Committee Markup at 10am on Wednesday, May 20
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee Markup at 8am on Thursday, May 21
- Full Committee Markup at 10am on Wednesday, June 3
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Bill
- Subcommittee Markup at 8am on Friday, June 5
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Tuesday, June 9
Defense
- Subcommittee Markup at 9am on Thursday, June 11 (Classified)
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Wednesday, June 24