Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) announced that he has helped secure more than $31 million in funding for Ohio projects as part of a larger federal appropriations package for fiscal year 2026. The package, which passed with bipartisan support, covers five of the twelve required appropriations subcommittee bills and includes a continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 13, 2026.
“Funding the government is Congress’ core responsibility, and I’m proud we made tremendous progress through regular order and bipartisan cooperation. The package provides real wins for Ohio while completing the transition away from Biden-era spending levels and restoring disciplined, responsible budgeting—showing that Congress can be fiscally responsible and accountable to taxpayers,” said Husted.
“In addition to targeted investments across Ohio, this funding bolsters our military, keeps border security strong, supports education and health systems, and modernizes air and transportation safety—priorities that keep our state and country moving forward. Ohioans can always count on me to put our state’s priorities first as I represent them in Congress,” added Husted.
Among the Congressionally Directed Spending requests secured by Husted are:
– $1 million for a new YWCA facility with a Community Care Clinic in Van Wert.
– $3 million for Cincinnati State to renovate its Advanced Manufacturing Training Center.
– $1.5 million for infrastructure improvements at Mary Lou Patton Park in Chillicothe.
– $1.5 million for affordable housing development on Chillicothe Street in Portsmouth.
– $9.5 million for Columbus State Community College’s workforce training center focused on advanced manufacturing.
– $247,000 for public river access at Joe Balo Landing along the Muskingum River.
– $875,000 for Stark State College’s Commercial Drivers License Instruction Center.
– $5 million to renovate Hotel McArthur into a visitors center in Vinton County.
– $3.75 million for Wooster’s Beall Avenue Safety Improvement Project.
– $5 million for runway rehabilitation at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
The broader funding bill also allocates resources nationwide through several departments:
For labor, health, and education programs:
State grants will provide career and technical education support totaling over one billion dollars. Additional funds will go toward employment training programs aimed at helping American workers meet employer needs; Head Start programs; child care block grants; special education services; school districts near military installations; early cancer detection screenings under Medicare; incentives to bring therapies to market for rare pediatric diseases; and measures intended to speed up approval of generic drugs.
Defense-related provisions include:
$8 million allocated to begin repairs on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s primary runway in Dayton—a key facility that has experienced years of deterioration. Funding is also set aside to secure supply chains related to beryllium production in Elmore (a critical mineral used across defense sectors), develop enhancements for F-15EX fighter jets ($50 million), advance helicopter engine technology ($175 million), integrate large-scale 3D printing technologies ($14.9 million), continue work on next-generation airborne command centers ($1.826 billion), improve thermal management systems on fighter aircraft ($10 million), accelerate solid rocket motor qualification ($12 million), destroy toxic chemicals like PFAS ($5 million), upgrade Abrams tanks manufactured in Lima ($778.478 million), mitigate risks around forged parts supply chains ($8 million), and further drone wingman jet development ($151.3 million).
Servicemembers will receive a 3.8% pay raise overall with an additional 10% increase specifically targeted at junior enlisted personnel.
Other highlights include increased domestic production of critical minerals aimed at reducing reliance on foreign sources such as China.
In transportation, housing, urban development:
Requirements have been added so commercial drivers must be able to read English traffic signs. Federal assistance grants totaling hundreds of millions will support transportation projects—including hiring new air traffic controllers—and upgrades are planned across air traffic infrastructure nationally.
Financial services agencies receive funds intended both to review foreign investment threats within sensitive industries domestically as well as bolster sanctions enforcement against adversaries abroad.
Law enforcement initiatives are funded at both federal and state levels with particular focus on combating drug trafficking/money laundering activities alongside youth-focused anti-drug abuse efforts. Small business administration grants will help veterans start businesses.
At the Department of State level:
Language supported by Husted aims to expedite deployment of surveillance systems protecting U.S embassies overseas—a project involving work done in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.
The full text of the bill is available online.
