DC Download: December 2025

In this season of gratitude, NERRA extends sincere thanks to our members of Congress for creating the NERRS more than 50 years ago and for their continued support of this essential program.

This week, NERRA joined 49 Reserve friends groups, foundations, and local nonprofits—collectively representing more than 545,000 members and volunteers—in sending letters to the House and Senate expressing our appreciation for its support and urging full federal funding for Reserves in FY 2026. These organizations, and the thousands of people who support them with their time and dollars, amplify and extend the work of the NERRS every day.

This strong show of support follows November letters to the House and Senate from 145 businesses located in Reserve-supported communities, all voicing their commitment to full federal funding. We are grateful to these businesses, who, alongside Reserves, play a vital role in strengthening local economies.

Also in November, Congress extended the deadline to pass the FY 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science budget, which includes NERRS funding, to January 30, 2026. Both chambers proposed operations funding levels below NERRA’s FY 2026 request of $47 million. However, NERRA is advocating for the Senate’s operations funding level of $34 million and the House’s PAC funding level of $10 million.

As Congress continues its work on the FY 2026 budget, NERRA has its eyes on FY 2027. Thank you for standing with us and our Reserves. Together, we’ll continue to make the case for strong federal support in the year ahead.