Senator Jeff Merkley offered an amendment to the THUD bill that would limit the executive branch’s ability to implement rescissions of funding in fiscal year 2026 without returning such proposals to the Appropriations Committee for committee consideration.

Merkley and supporters, including Senators Patty Murray and Kirsten Gillibrand, said the amendment was intended to protect bipartisan appropriations work from unilateral executive action and to preserve the committee’s role in crafting rescissions. Merkley said the amendment would not block past rescissions and does not amend the Impoundment Control Act; it instead would direct future rescissions for FY2026 items back to the Appropriations Committee.

Opponents, including Chair Susan Collins and subcommittee chair Cindy Hyde‑Smith, argued the amendment raised jurisdictional concerns and better belongs in the Budget Committee. Collins said rescissions are already used in appropriations work and cited the committee’s prior practice and the complexity of amending the 1974 budget law.

After debate, the committee held a recorded roll‑call vote. The amendment failed, with 14 ayes and 15 nays. Committee leaders said the issue remains important and could be addressed on the floor or in the joint jurisdictional process between Appropriations and Budget committees.

Discussion vs. action: The amendment was debated and rejected in committee by recorded vote; it does not change bill text.