In a significant move on January 5, 2026, U.S. congressional leaders reached a budget compromise that effectively blocks the Trump administration’s attempt to enact deep financial cuts to NOAA Fisheries.
Here are the key takeaways from the new legislation:
- Rejection of Steep Cuts: The compromise bill provides $1.12 billion for NOAA Fisheries for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. This largely ignores the Trump administration’s proposal to slash the budget by 31% (to $789 million) and a more extreme House Republican proposal that sought a 40% reduction.
- Salmon Recovery Saved: The legislation preserves the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund with $65 million in funding. The Trump administration had originally sought to “zero out” this program, which supports salmon restoration across California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
- Protecting Science and Surveys: Lawmakers included several targeted increases to bolster the agency’s scientific mission, including:
- A $7 million increase for fisheries surveys.
- $2 million for a fisheries survey contingency fund.
- Specific allocations for oyster aquaculture ($5 million) and data collection on South Atlantic reef fish.
- Avoidance of Shutdown: This deal comes as part of a larger package to fund the Department of Commerce and other agencies through September 2026, aiming to avert a government shutdown that was looming for January 30.
- Political Pushback: Democrats, including Senator Patty Smith and Representative Rosa DeLauro, praised the bill as a “forceful rejection” of “draconian” cuts. They argued that the proposed reductions would have undermined U.S. scientific competitiveness, job security, and the sustainability of coastal communities.
The budget now moves toward final passage, aligning more closely with the Senate’s original recommendations which favored maintaining stable funding for marine management and conservation.