Press Releases
Bacon Announces Nebraska Priorities Included in Bipartisan FY26 Minibus Appropriations Package
Washington,
January 12, 2026
Bacon Announces Nebraska Priorities Included in Bipartisan FY26 Minibus Appropriations Package Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced that more than $6 million worth of several key Nebraska projects and funding priorities were included in the bipartisan Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (CJS-E&W-Interior minibus). Rep. Bacon joined in the overwhelming 397-28 House vote to pass the minibus on January 8th and several of Rep. Bacon’s key priorities were included in the legislation. Such priorities include funding requests to strengthen local medical research, improve public safety, prevent violence and human trafficking, and infrastructure development. “I am pleased to announce that this bipartisan minibus includes more than $6 million for priorities across the district. From medical research at UNMC and violence prevention efforts in Omaha to public safety upgrades in Douglas and Saunders Counties and infrastructure that supports growth in Sarpy County, these are practical investments that respond to real local needs and strengthen our communities,” said Rep. Bacon. “I thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and CJS Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers for their leadership and bipartisan cooperation in advancing this minibus and ensuring these important Nebraska projects were included.” Nebraska Projects included in the FY26 CJS-E&W-Interior Minibus: Title: Flow Cytometry Instrumentation for Targeted Treatment of Disease Recipient: University of Nebraska Medical Center Amount: $514,106 (Requested: $1,500,000) Description: Funds will purchase a spectral cell analyzer and sorter for flow cytometry for targeted treatment of disease. Existing flow cytometry instrumentation at UNMC are heavily used and nearing the end of its life, but existing instruments no longer meet the needs of researchers. More than $148 million of UNMC research expenditures in the past two fiscal years were attributed to faculty who use this instrumentation in their research. Title: Integrated Public Safety Enhancement Project Recipient: Saunders County Amount: $359,760 (Requested: $359,760) Description: Purchase of new security systems for the Saunders County Courthouse and Correctional Center. Upgrading to digital security systems in both facilities is essential for public safety and the effective functioning of the justice system. Title: Encompass Omaha: A Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program Recipient: City of Omaha, Nebraska Amount: $526,983 (Requested: $533,000) Description: Encompass Omaha (Engaging Networks within the Community of Omaha to Maintain and Promote A Safe Society) is Nebraska’s only hospital based violence intervention program (HVIP), established in 2020 as the result of close partnerships between Nebraska Medicine (NM), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), and community-based organizations. Encompass Omaha is a multi-disciplinary program that combines the efforts of medical staff with trusted community-based partners to provide safety planning, services, and trauma-informed care to violently injured people. The intent of the program is to reduce violence, including violent reinjury, risk of community violence, and costs incurred by the public from violence. The program will begin at Nebraska Medicine bedside upon hospital admission during the “teachable moment” of violent injury. Culturally competent, individualized support services, behavioral health, and case management led by peer specialists will reduce violence and violent reinjury through improved continuity of care and linkage of services. Victims will be connected to violence risk reduction resources in the community through collaborative efforts with the city and community-based organizations that offer these services and receive long-term intensive case management to reduce risk factors and offset other determinants of violence. The UNO, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is an engaged partner with Encompass Omaha and well-suited to assist in the ongoing development of intervention strategies, assist with qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the program, facilitate strengthening of interpersonal communication with the community, criminal justice entities, and community-based organizations, and promulgate program outcomes through lectures and publications. Title: Child Trafficking Prevention Project Recipient: University of Nebraska - Omaha Amount: $2,000,000 (Requested: $2,000,000) Description: The Missing and Anti-Trafficking Youth Services (MATYS) Program at Project Harmony addresses the unique needs of Nebraska children who have experienced or are at-risk for exploitation. Funding this project will provide an assessment of the MATYS Program’s design and impacts for intended outcomes through three phases. This project aims to directly inform factors that matter most when trying to prevent child trafficking and determine which interventions can have a positive impact on reducing or preventing trafficking risk among children. Title: Douglas County Sheriff's Office Technology Systems Upgrade Recipient: Douglas County Sheriff Amount: $639,000 (Requested: $638,600) Description: Will utilize funds to purchase equipment to enhance cyber security of EMS and law enforcement communications and data. Title: Sarpy County for Sewer Extension Project Recipient: Sarpy County and Cities Wastewater Agency (SCCWWA) Amount: $2,000,000 (Requested: $5,000,000) Description: The funding would be used for easement acquisition for Phase 1B and 2 of the project. In order to accommodate the current and future growth Sarpy County faces, additional sewer infrastructure is needed to service southwestern Sarpy County, the City of Papillion, the City of Springfield, and the City of Gretna areas. Expansion of the current Phase 1A sewer line that was complete in December 2024 is needed to maximize on demand. ### |