On November 12, the Senate Appropriations Committee released five fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding bills, including the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) bill that funds the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The bill proposes $36 million for EDA’s Partnership Planning program, $1.5 million above the FY2026 enacted level of $34.5 million.
What the Committee released
The Committee posted bill text, an explanatory statement, and a bill summary for each of these five bills:
The text of the Agriculture and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs bills was released earlier in the week. The CJS bill, which also covers the Departments of Justice and Commerce, along with federal science agencies, provides $81.1 billion in discretionary funding overall.
The Committee described the releases as part of completing the FY2027 appropriations process, and they come ahead of the December 11 funding deadline. The release does not announce a markup or floor schedule.
EDA funding in the Senate CJS bill
The Senate CJS bill proposes $424.8 million for EDA in FY2027, compared with $466.0 million enacted for FY2026. Within that total, Partnership Planning is proposed at $36.0 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or about 4 percent.
Account | FY2026 enacted | Senate FY2027 proposal | Change |
Partnership Planning | $34.5M | $36.0M | +$1.5M |
Public Works | $100.0M | $100.0M | No change |
Economic Development Assistance Programs (total) | $400.0M | $357.8M | -$42.2M |
Salaries and Expenses | $66.0M | $67.0M | +$1.0M |
Total EDA | $466.0M | $424.8M | -$41.2M |
Why Partnership Planning matters to RDOs
Partnership Planning funds support the planning organizations that serve EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDDs), as well as Tribes. More than 400 EDDs operate nationwide, typically hosted by regional development organizations such as regional planning councils and councils of governments.
Each EDD develops and updates a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for its region. Applicants for EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance investments must undertake a planning process that results in a CEDS. Planning funds therefore support the work that comes before construction or adjustment dollars: identifying projects, convening local partners, and preparing communities to apply for and manage federal grants.
The Senate explanatory statement also directs EDA to coordinate with regional development organizations to support rural economic development projects.
What comes next
The Senate bill is one input into a process that also includes the House and, ultimately, the President. The House and Senate proposals for EDA differ in total, and the two chambers would need to reconcile those differences. Congress has several paths available before December 11, including enacting full-year bills individually or in packages, or temporarily extending current funding levels. The outcome for FY2027 EDA funding will depend on those decisions.
How members can engage
Senators will weigh many requests as the bills move forward. NADO has prepared a sample letter that members can adapt and send to their senators, asking for support for the proposed $36 million Partnership Planning level in final FY2027 legislation. Letters that describe a region’s planning work and local results give congressional offices concrete information to work with.
Access the sample letter HERE.