Rep. Nick LaLota, a member of the House Appropriations Committee representing New York’s 1st Congressional District, announced key outcomes for Suffolk County following the passage and signing into law of the Fiscal Year 2026 funding package. The bipartisan and bicameral legislation covers government functions across several sectors including defense, healthcare, transportation, and financial services.
LaLota stated, “This package delivers real, tangible results for Suffolk County, includes five Community Project Funding initiatives totaling more than $15.35 million, invests in critical infrastructure like road repaving and transportation safety, and delivers a 3.8 percent pay raise for our servicemembers — a meaningful raise for the many military families who call Long Island home.” He also noted investments supporting defense manufacturers and research on Long Island: “The legislation makes major investments in our local industrial base, supporting defense manufacturers, advanced research, and good-paying jobs across Long Island. From strengthening missile defense and shipbuilding to funding innovation at companies and universities in our district, these dollars keep Long Island at the center of America’s national security and defense supply chain.”
LaLota emphasized the importance of healthcare measures included in the package. “In addition to these local projects, this package extends key healthcare programs and includes my Save Our Safety Net Hospitals Act, preventing cuts that would have hit safety-net hospitals serving high numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients across Suffolk County. By preserving these protections, the legislation helps hospitals manage uncompensated care, maintain essential services, and continue providing reliable access to care for Long Island families, without creating new mandatory spending or expanding federal bureaucracy. That’s how you deliver real results back home while governing responsibly.”
The FY26 law allocates discretionary funds for various agencies: $26.5 billion for Financial Services and General Government (with a $140 million reduction from previous levels), $13.063 billion for the Department of Treasury (including counter-illicit finance efforts), $21 million for CFIUS to monitor foreign investment affecting national security, $324 million to expand capital access through CDFI Fund initiatives in underserved communities, $1 billion for Small Business Administration programs aiding Long Island businesses, $299 million targeting drug trafficking areas impacting local communities, and nearly $9.7 billion to support federal court operations.
Defense spending reached $839.2 billion with a 3.8 percent pay increase for all service members effective January 2026. Additional allocations include shipbuilding ($27.2 billion), munitions production ($6.4 billion), hypersonic weapons testing ($4.5 billion), missile defense ($13.4 billion), space-based protection programs ($13.4 billion), and counter-drug operations ($1.1 billion).
For Long Island specifically, funding supports regional defense manufacturers as well as institutions such as SUNY Stony Brook University (over $35 million) for energy security research and drone technology development; America’s VetDogs received $17 million to aid veterans.
Healthcare funding includes approximately $221 billion across Labor–Health & Human Services–Education programs with reductions in bureaucracy; National Institutes of Health will receive $49 billion; Community Health Centers get $1.9 billion; mental health/substance use treatment is allocated $7.4 billion; apprenticeship expansion receives $285 million; Pell Grant maximum remains at $6,335.
Transportation infrastructure receives significant support: over $102 billion goes toward modernization efforts including air traffic control upgrades via FAA funding ($22+ billion), highway improvements ($64+ billion), transit administration grants ($16+ billion), Amtrak’s network ($1.577 billion with emphasis on Northeast Corridor improvements), Gateway Project investment ($700 million), plus targeted upgrades to air traffic facilities serving New York.
Suffolk County will benefit from five community project grants exceeding $15 million: road repaving projects in Smithtown ($5M), Brookhaven/Harbor Road ($5M), Huntington ($3.5M); historic preservation at York Hall ($1.5M); Riverhead brownfield remediation work ($350K).
Other provisions include full funding for World Trade Center Health Program (supporting 9/11 responders nationwide including those on Long Island); recognition of September 11th National Day of Service; extension of National Flood Insurance Program through September 2026 protecting homeowners/businesses against flood risks.
LaLota highlighted his role as the only Republican from the Northeast on Appropriations Committee working with leadership from both parties to secure resources for his district—especially focusing on scientific research investment and infrastructure projects that benefit Suffolk County communities.
Nick LaLota has represented New York’s 1st District since replacing Lee Zeldin in Congress in 2023 (source). He was born in Bay Shore in 1978 and resides in Amityville.
