WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) released the following statement upon passage of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations legislation that will benefit Hoosiers in Indiana’s 8th Congressional District:
“I am proud to have secured billions of dollars in new funding for major projects in Indiana’s 8th Congressional District which will provide a fiscal boost to the local economy,” said Rep. Messmer. “Federal funding for new infrastructure in Greene and Vanderburgh Counties, and investments in other priorities throughout southern Indiana, will benefit the needs of families in our IN-08 community for many years to come.”
As a member of the House Armed Services, Agriculture, and Education and Workforce Committees, and as Chairman of the Congressional Hypersonics Caucus, Congressman Messmer has delivered results for businesses and hard-working families in southern Indiana by:
Expanding Infrastructure in Indiana’s 8th Congressional District
- $1.615 million in funding for an emergency backup generator for the passenger terminal at the Evansville Regional Airport (EVV)
- $17 million in funding for the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and upgrades to the existing wastewater collection systems for Greene County residents
Creating and Supporting Jobs in the Southern Indiana Defense Industry
- $13.4 billion in funding for missile defense and space programs as part of President Trump’s Golden Dome initiative
- A 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers
- A continuation of the enacted FY2025 pay increases for junior enlisted servicemembers
- $10 million for the Quantum Communications Corridor
- $100 million for the Army National Guard HMMWV Modernization Program
- $41 million for Project Pele
- $10 million for High Mach Turbine Energy Development
- $5 million for Unified Data Library
- $554 million for Trusted and Assured Microelectronics
- $6 million for JLTV System development and demonstration
- More than $6 million for hypersonic research, testing, and development
Prioritizing National Security
- Realigns Department of Homeland Security (DHS) priorities around its fundamental mission to defend the nation against the threat posed by terrorists, criminals, and foreign adversaries
- Enhances resources to detect and counter the spread of illegal drugs
- Partners with state and local law enforcement agencies
- $523 million in funding for border patrol agents
- $116 million in funding to counter China
- $3.8 billion in funding for custody operations to strengthen efforts to detain and deport all criminals
- $300 million in funding to improve baggage screening at airports
- $192 million in funding for unmanned systems to improve maritime domain awareness
Promoting a Culture of Life
- Protects the Hyde Amendment from repeal
Championing the MAHA Agenda
- Prioritizes primary care funding for rural health, health centers, and health workforce to end the chronic disease epidemic
- Increases funding for nutrition research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Increases funding for mental health and substance use treatment prevention
Building America’s Workforce
- Supports apprenticeship programs to build a strong workforce
- Increases funding to train workers and educate students in rural America
- Supports investments in career and technical education
- Increases funding to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Protecting the Vulnerable
- $20 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- $8.8 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants, which provide vouchers for working families to access childcare
- $12.4 billion for Head Start to support school readiness of children from low-income families
- $810.4 million for programs under the Community Services Block Grant Act
Securing the Skies
- $1.588 billion in funding to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers
To learn more about how Rep. Messmer is working for the residents of Indiana’s 8th Congressional District, click here.
###
Office
Phone Number
