U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, a Republican representing Mississippi, highlighted funding for several state initiatives included in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations package passed by the Senate. The package provides resources for departments and agencies such as Commerce, Justice, Interior, and those overseeing science, energy, and water issues.
“This is how Congress should operate, passing federal spending bills through the appropriations process. I am pleased that the Senate has embraced regular order. I look forward to the ways this legislation will help Mississippi’s needs and will support job creators and local governments,” said Wicker.
The appropriations package includes $22.455 million for Mississippi projects in the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill. These projects include research on graphene at the University of Mississippi; forensic science labs and composite manufacturing at Mississippi State University; disaster management studies at University of Southern Mississippi; public safety enhancements at several police departments; crime prevention initiatives in cities like West Point and Meridian; marine debris removal; cybersecurity upgrades; law enforcement equipment updates across various counties; and youth delinquency prevention programs.
For energy and water development, $118.3 million is allocated to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Mississippi. Key allocations include $49 million for the Yazoo Backwater Project, funds for regional utility authorities, wastewater upgrades in Meridian and Rankin County, harbor improvements in Rosedale and Greenville, deepening studies for waterways, levee slide repairs along the Mississippi River, among others.
The Interior Appropriations Bill designates $14.425 million to state projects including wastewater improvements in Clinton, Bolton, Raymond, DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority pump station upgrades, preservation efforts at Louisville Strand Theatre, museum support in Columbus, as well as infrastructure improvements in Petal and Starkville.
Additional federal funding will benefit Mississippians through national programs:
– The Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries Project receives $531.6 million—a $163 million increase from previous levels—for flood risk management.
– State and Private Forestry Programs are funded with $314 million—$9 million more than last year—to support work beyond National Forests.
– Oceanic research receives $252.5 million.
– NASA’s Rocket Propulsion Testing Program is funded with $48.2 million to support operations crucial to Stennis Space Center.
– The Gulf of America Coastal Ocean Observing System gets $47.5 million for regional data integration vital to marine operations.
– Safe Drinking Water Technical Assistance is provided with $26 million—an increase over last year—for rural communities’ water quality improvement.
– Sea Grant Aquaculture Research is allocated $14 million to bolster aquaculture jobs.
– Levee slide repair receives an additional $2.2 million.
– Fisheries data collection is supported with $850,000.
Senator Wicker has served as a senator since December 2007 after time in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Mississippi State Senate (source). He chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee (source) and leads initiatives supporting naval capabilities (source). He has also contributed to global health caucuses (source).
