House Committee on Appropriations

The House Committee on Appropriations holds one of the most powerful roles in Congress: it decides how federal tax dollars are spent. The committee has broad constitutional authority to appropriate funds for most government functions, from defense and homeland security to education, health care, and infrastructure. With 63 members divided among 12 subcommittees, the committee oversees discretionary spending across the entire federal government. Each subcommittee focuses on a specific area—such as Defense, Labor and Health Services, or Transportation—and drafts detailed spending bills within its jurisdiction.

Bills referred to the committee follow a structured process. After the President submits a budget proposal, the committee divides its overall spending allocation among its 12 subcommittees. Each subcommittee then drafts appropriations bills, which are debated and amended in subcommittee markups and full committee markups. Once approved by the committee, bills go to the House floor for debate and a full vote, then to the Senate for similar consideration. Differences between House and Senate versions are resolved through negotiations before final bills go to the President.

Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) leads the committee, with Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) representing the Democratic minority. Recent activity shows the committee working through fiscal year 2026 appropriations despite significant challenges. The committee has enacted multiple spending bills covering defense, energy, interior and environment, agriculture, and other areas. Recent bills addressed government shutdowns and ensured funding for federal agencies and personnel, including efforts to reopen the Department of Homeland Security and pay federal workers during appropriations disputes.