Rep. Fitzgerald Statements on Passage of Defense Spending and Rescission Legislation

July 18, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statements in response to the passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025 and H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026:

H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025

“Wisconsin families are sick and tired of seeing their hard-earned tax dollars funneled to politically biased media here at home. With the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025, we aren’t just cutting spending—we are codifying the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) findings into law,” said Rep. Fitzgerald.

“This bill locks in $9 billion in real savings and marks a monumental step toward restoring fiscal sanity, putting America First, and delivering on President Trump’s promise to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. House Republicans are committed to ending the era of bloated, woke government. I am proud to send this step towards fiscal responsibility to President Trump’s desk.”

H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

“This bill delivers on House Republicans’ promise to support our troops and their families, ensures America’s military remains the most lethal fighting force, and ends DEI, Critical Race Theory, and other woke ideologies that plague our military,” said Rep. Fitzgerald. “The America First agenda is embodied in this bill with critical investments in America’s missile defense system, next-generation military hardware, and border security. I look forward to continuing to deliver wins for Wisconsinites through the appropriations process.”

Background: The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act provides discretionary spending of $831.5 billion, the same as FY25 enacted levels and consistent with the President’s Budget Request. Key highlights include:

  • Provides a 3.8% increase in basic pay for all military personnel, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Codifies DOGE cuts to reduce waste, fraud, abuse, or redundancies.
  • Provides $1.15 billion for counter drug programs and transfers Mexico from U.S. Northern Command’s jurisdiction to U.S. Southern Command for better coordination and prioritization.
  • Supports our Shipbuilding programs by fully funding the procurement of 28 ships, including the Columbia- and Virginia-Class submarine.
  • Codifies President Trump’s executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and the teaching of Critical Race Theory. 

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