U.S. House Passes FY 2026 Spending Package With $1.13B For Bureau Of Indian Education Schools

Washington, D.C. — A sweeping federal spending package advancing in Congress includes more than $1.1 billion for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) school operations and $234.7 million for school construction and major repairs—two funding streams that directly affect students attending BIE-funded and tribally controlled schools.

The measure H.R. 6938, titled the “Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026” passed the U.S. House on January 8, 2026, according to the bill text.

Under the Interior portion of the legislation, Operation of Indian Education Programs is funded at $1,131,617,000 (available through Sept. 30, 2027), with up to $833,592,000 for BIE school operations slated to become available June 1, 2026. The bill also provides $234,725,000 for education construction, including repairs and facility improvements, with a provision allowing the Interior secretary to step in if projects stall.

Families may also see indirect impacts through Justice Department funding for youth-focused supports, including $105 million for youth mentoring grants and $375 million for juvenile justice programs overall.

What parents should do now: If your child attends a BIE-funded school, watch for local updates on facility projects and summer/fall planning tied to the June funding release, and ask your school whether mentoring or youth-support partners are applying for federal grants.

Updates and implementation details are expected to flow through federal agencies and local school leadership as spending plans and grant timelines are finalized.

This article was produced by an education parenting today journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.