DC Download: February 2026

As reported last month, H.R. 6938 was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives and has now been signed into law by the President. Congress rejected many of the Administration’s proposed cuts, including the elimination of NERRS funding. Instead, the legislation increased NERRS Operations, Research, and Facilities (ORF) funding by $700,000, for a total of $34M. In addition, the NERRS Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction (PAC) was funded at $8.5M, with an option for Reserves to apply an up to 50% PAC match waiver. Thank you, again, to Congress for putting its trust and support into the NERRS!

As we look ahead, NERRA has begun its work advocating for FY 2027 NERRS funding and is asking for $39M for NERRS ORF and $10M for NERRS PAC. The NERRA Board will be in Washington, D.C. the first week of March to begin its efforts to educate Congress about the demands Reserve programs have experienced locally and nationally. We encourage all friends, volunteers, businesses, and communities to join us in supporting NERRA’s request for NERRS FY 2027 funding. Your voice makes a difference!