Additional FY26 Trump Budget Request Details - Forest Service

[u/Flat-Suggestion-8373]

Details pulled from 2026 USDA Budget Summary: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2026-usda-budget-summary.pdf. Will post DOI details separately.

Pasting the WFM excerpt below, which confirms that all WFM program funding will be requested through DOI. Summary table outlines reductions to all FS account (e.g., -100% for Forest and Rangeland Research, -100% for State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, -48% for Capital Improvement and Maintenance, -34% for FS Operations, -30% for National Forest System). Overall, the request would reduce total discretionary approps for FS from $6.2b in FY25 to $2.1b in FY26.

“Wildland Fire Management The 2026 request will transfer the Forest Service Wildland Fire Management appropriations to DOI for the creation of the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service. This new DOI bureau will absorb the Forest Service Wildland Fire Management response program, including over 11,000 firefighters, 3,000 operational fire support personnel and leadership, and nearly 450 business support personnel. In addition, the Joint Fire Science program previously within the Forest and Rangeland Research account will be transferred to DOI to support the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.”

[u/Numbtwothree]

This is the Whitehouse budget request which will be taken into consideration by Congress

[u/hack_nasty → u/Numbtwothree]

Exactly lol

[u/[deleted] → u/hack_nasty]

That’s not what you said though. You said “we need an act of congress to move shit around.” The legislative branch doesn’t decide who works for DOI or USDA. They do pass budgets though which won’t be a problem.

[u/Numbtwothree → u/[deleted]]

That is true but without the appropriation changes by Congress it can't realistically be done

[u/[deleted] → u/Numbtwothree]

What difference does it make to congress if they fund fire in two different departments or the same amount of money in just one?