WASHINGTON–When Congress returns in January it will be heavily focused on avoiding another government shutdown and with debate around healthcare (see related story), but it will also likely pass spending packages that provide money for the CDFI Fund.
While the Trump administration has sought to zero-out the CDFI Fund and/or eliminate the staff at Treasury charged with overseeing the CDFI program, Congress has provided the funding for 2026.
The House has proposed approximately $276 million for the CDFI Fund for fiscal year 2026, a reduction from FY25, while the Senate has proposed approximately $324 million, which is closer to FY25 levels.
“That’s one thing we’re watching where it’s positive,” said Mesack. “I don’t see much of an appetite to put controversial provisions in (legislation providing the funding) just because of the time, and the new majorities in both chambers make it hard to start adding provisions that may complicate matters for leadership counting votes.”
