Top Republican lawmakers are using the Thanksgiving holiday to express thanks for legislative accomplishments this year, including ending a partial government shutdown and advancing a slate of appropriations bills. House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole’s office framed the work in a Thanksgiving-themed 'menu' of deliverables, emphasizing a push toward regular order and what they describe as benefits for American families.
As lawmakers spend Thanksgiving with their families, House Republican leaders on the Appropriations Committee are spotlighting what they describe as progress on fiscal responsibilities.
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole’s office released a Thanksgiving-themed "menu" of the year’s "deliverables," highlighting accomplishments such as ending what Republicans called the "harmful Democrat-led shutdown," according to the Daily Wire. The document praised the committee’s work on fiscal year 2026 (FY26) spending bills: “The House Appropriations Committee has been resolute in completing our work, line by line. No shortcuts, no stuffing – just steady FY26 stewardship,” it 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 metaphor, the committee said it had “carved out” a path to regular order, “restored accountability,” and “set the table” for the remaining appropriations bills.
Attention now turns to the remaining measures in the regular appropriations process, which the Daily Wire reports were delayed by the longest shutdown in American history. The “menu” noted that all 12 House appropriations bills have advanced through committee, with three of those bills already signed into law by President Donald Trump as part of a three-bill minibus that formed part of the shutdown-ending deal.
Cole said in a statement that Republicans see building momentum: “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,” he said, according to the Daily Wire.
Subcommittee chairs also detailed what they are thankful for. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), who chairs the Commerce, Justice, and Science panel, said in a statement, “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.” Rogers said families can “breathe a sigh of relief” at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year and credited “historic tax relief” Republicans passed into law.
The Daily Wire notes that the House Ways and Means Committee said this month that Americans could see an extra $1,000 increase in their tax refund next year — which the committee suggested could contribute to a “record-breaking tax refund season.” The White House separately highlighted that prices for Thanksgiving meals are down compared with last year, citing data from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The “menu” also showcased specific subcommittee priorities. Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Judge John 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,” according to the Daily Wire. Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao said he was grateful Congress is moving back toward “regular order” and said his panel’s 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 added that he believes a “new Golden Age is dawning on America” and concluded, “Let us all come together and be thankful for all the blessings God has given America,” according to the Daily Wire.
Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) praised the shift toward passing individual spending bills rather than relying on large catchall packages, saying in a statement that doing so 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 committee’s work to “ensure Congress returns to regular order.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has previously said on X that House Republicans’ goal is to complete the normal appropriations process, which he noted Congress has not accomplished “for many years now,” the Daily Wire reported.
The Appropriations Committee also pointed to what it called “steadfast conservative stewardship” during the fiscal fights, saying it had protected Republican priorities “amid a 406% increase in Democrat amendment attempts and 228% increase in roll call votes” while advancing FY26 bills.
Lawmakers further expressed gratitude for service members, veterans, homeland security personnel, firefighters, first responders, congressional staff, constituents, and others. Many Republicans on the committee said they plan to return after the holiday focused on moving the remaining funding bills “across the finish line” — but first, they plan to spend time at home with turkey and family, according to the Daily Wire’s report.
