WASHINGTON—As lawmakers spend Thanksgiving with their families in their home districts, they’re also taking the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments they’re most grateful to have delivered this year.
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole’s office released a Thanksgiving “menu” of the year’s “deliverables,” highlighting accomplishments — such as ending what they called the “harmful Democrat-led shutdown.”
“The House Appropriations Committee has been resolute in completing our work, line by line. No shortcuts, no stuffing – just steady FY26 stewardship,” the menu said. “No matter the challenge, tight calendar timeline, or work ahead of us, our members delivered through discourse, targeted funding, and America First priorities.”
Leaning into the Thanksgiving theme, the committee said they have “carved out” a path to regular order, “restored accountability,” and “set the table” for the remaining fiscal year bills.
“I’m thankful that American families can look forward to a more peaceful and affordable holiday season with the government back open and running on all cylinders,” Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science said in a statement.
Rogers said families can “breathe a sigh of relief” at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year and credited the “historic tax relief” that they passed into law this year.
This month, the Ways and Means Committee said Americans could see an extra $1,000 increase in their tax refund next year — which may be a “record-breaking tax refund season.”
Additionally, the White House shared the news that prices for Thanksgiving meals are down over last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The “menu” included other deliverables, such as all 12 of the House appropriations bills advancing through committee, with three of those bills already signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The three-bill minibus was part of the shutdown-ending deal.
Attention now turns to the remaining bills in the regular appropriations process, which were delayed by the longest shutdown in American history.
“With every FY26 bill reported out of committee, sixty percent of discretionary spending advanced across the House floor, the first conference committee in nearly a decade, and three full-year appropriations bills signed into law by President Trump — we have real, proven momentum,” Cole said in a statement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) previously said it was their goal to complete the normal appropriations process — something Congress has not done “for many years now.”
Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) said in a statement that passing individual spending bills is “not only the responsible way to govern, but it also restores transparency, stability, and accountability to the budget process.”
He said he was thankful for the work of the committee to “ensure Congress returns to regular order.”
Additionally, the Appropriations Committee reported having “steadfast conservative stewardship amid a 406% increase in Democrat amendment attempts and 228% increase in roll call votes, protecting Republican priorities while advancing FY26 progress.”
Lawmakers highlighted additional items they were grateful for this year from their specific subcommittees.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Judge Carter said he secured a $1.4 billion investment in “major construction projects for VA hospitals and cemeteries so our veterans receive the care they deserve and a final resting place worthy of their sacrifice.”
Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao said he was grateful that Congress is getting back to “regular order” and was proud that their Legislative Branch bill “strengthens security across the Capitol complex, supports the hardworking sworn officers and staff who keep this institution running, and ensures the Capitol remains open.”
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann said the energy and water bill makes “historic investments in improving our energy independence, strengthening our nuclear security, improving waterways infrastructure nationwide, and securing America’s place as the preeminent global scientific leader.”
He said he believes a “new Golden Age is dawning on America,” and predicts “the best is yet to come.”
“Let us all come together and be thankful for all the blessings God has given America,” Fleischmann said.
Lawmakers also expressed gratitude for service members, veterans, homeland security personnel, firefighters, first responders, staff, constituents, and others.
Many said they’re looking forward to getting back to work after the holiday and watching as the rest of the funding bills make their way across the finish line.
But first: time for some turkey and family.
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