PRFAA announces new federal funding appropriations

By THE STAR STAFF

Gabriella Boffelli, executive director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), announced Monday that the U.S. House of Representatives has published the text of the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026. The legislative package combines three appropriations bills negotiated on a bipartisan and bicameral basis by the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

The measure would provide full-year funding through Sept. 30 of this year, ensuring continuity of operations and programs across multiple key federal agencies, including the departments of Commerce, Justice, Energy, and Interior; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); the Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Forest Service; and the National Science Foundation, among others.

“The release of this package confirms the progress we had anticipated publicly in recent weeks,” Boffelli said. “As I noted during the Government of Puerto Rico’s weekly press briefing, En Récord, this ‘minibus’ was actively under negotiation, and its publication reflects a bipartisan agreement focused on stability and continuity in federal operations.”

The House is expected to consider and vote on the package this Thursday. The measure would then move to the Senate for review and a vote next week. Following approval of the minibus, six appropriations bills will remain pending and must be enacted or extended through a Continuing Resolution by Jan. 30. This follows the passage of the Agriculture and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2026 on Nov. 12, 2025.

The Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations portion of the minibus, which totals $78.011 billion, includes $37.049 billion for the Department of Justice, supporting U.S. Attorneys (including Puerto Rico), the U.S. Marshals Service, anti-drug task forces such as the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, FBI, DEA, ATF, violence prevention programs, the Office of Justice Programs, and COPS.

The Energy and Water Development Appropriations portion, which totals $58.039 billion, includes $294,000 for USACE operations and maintenance in Puerto Rico, including $181,000 for inspection of completed works and $113,000 for project condition surveys.

The Interior and Environment Appropriations portion, which totals $38.6 billion, includes $3.213 million under the Land and Water Conservation Fund for land acquisition in El Yunque National Forest, and $8.61 billion for the U.S. Forest Service.

The PRFAA will continue to closely monitor the legislative process to ensure Puerto Rico’s priorities are represented throughout the FY 2026 appropriations cycle, Boffelli said.