With Memorial Day recess approaching, lawmakers remain frustrated by the ongoing federal budget delay. As of mid-May, the White House has yet to release a detailed fiscal 2026 budget, despite the current year being halfway over.
Members of the House Appropriations Committee from both parties voiced concern last week. They said the lack of information blocks critical planning and delays key funding decisions for federal agencies.
The White House did release a “skinny” budget on May 2. However, that version outlined only broad spending targets. Officials promised full details later this summer. Lawmakers argue that timeline is too slow.
Appropriations work normally begins shortly after the president’s budget is submitted. The process typically takes six to nine months. With delays already in motion, completing the task before the fiscal year ends on September 30 appears difficult.
Congress now has just 10 scheduled legislative weeks before that deadline. This raises fears about another partial government shutdown if funding agreements aren’t reached in time.
The federal budget delay comes as Congress also battles over Trump’s multitrillion-dollar reconciliation bill. That package includes major spending shifts and faces opposition even within Republican ranks.
At a recent hearing, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins fielded questions about his agency’s funding needs. However, without a full budget, many answers remained vague.
Lawmakers worry that departments like Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Homeland Security won’t be able to prepare effectively. Budget uncertainty hampers planning, hiring, and service delivery across the federal government.
Some congressional leaders have called for an accelerated release of the full 2026 budget. They argue that ongoing global and domestic challenges require faster decision-making.
Still, administration officials insist the timeline remains realistic. They maintain that broad goals are already public and that full budget detail is coming soon.
For now, the federal budget delay continues to frustrate Capitol Hill. With the legislative clock ticking, the pressure to act is only growing.
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