U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced several initiatives and funding allocations for Tennessee following the passage of a government appropriations package signed into law by President Trump. The legislation includes provisions sponsored or co-sponsored by Blackburn, as well as support for key institutions such as Vanderbilt University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Memphis.
The appropriations package will fund multiple federal agencies through September 30, 2026. Congress decided to maintain current funding levels for the Department of Homeland Security rather than reducing them.
“This appropriations package will provide a pay raise for American troops, invest in the next generation, accelerate critical research and development projects, and strengthen communities in Tennessee and across America,” said Senator Blackburn. “In addition to moving federal agencies off of a bloated Biden-era budget and onto a Trump budget, this package includes my bills to lower the cost of prescription drugs, ensure Americans with disabilities aren’t forced to retire to keep their Medicaid coverage, and empower Tennesseans to choose the health care that works for them.”
Funding outlined in the bill supports several projects across Tennessee. Vanderbilt University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will receive resources to develop secure artificial intelligence models for Air Force use. The Vanderbilt Pathfinder–Air Assault program will expand its work with special forces at Fort Campbell and include the Tennessee National Guard.
The University of Tennessee System is set to receive funds aimed at improving recovery outcomes for wounded service members. The University of Memphis will benefit from investments in facilities supporting unmanned aerial systems and hypersonics testing in partnership with military entities like the Naval Surface Warfare Center.
Other allocations include partnerships between academic institutions and industry partners focused on advanced batteries and materials for electric aircraft, as well as funding to strengthen domestic defense supply chains at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Fort Campbell will also see investment in waste-to-energy conversion technology.
The legislation authorizes continued Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments through Fiscal Year 2027—a program that assists hospitals serving many Medicaid or uninsured patients—and encourages further collaboration on infrastructure projects such as I-69 completion in West Tennessee.
Several pieces of legislation sponsored by Blackburn are included:
– Patients Before Middleman Act: Seeks to reduce prescription drug costs by changing how pharmacy benefit managers are compensated.
– Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act: Aims to prevent working Americans with disabilities from having to retire early just to keep Medicaid benefits.
– Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act: Extends home-based rehabilitation services introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Short-term extensions from other bills co-sponsored by Blackburn are also part of this package:
– Telehealth Modernization Act: Continues telehealth access under Medicare.
– Preserving Patient Access to Accountable Care Act: Maintains incentive payments tied to quality performance for Medicare clinicians.
– Senior Savings Protection Act: Provides low-income seniors and caregivers with guidance on navigating Medicare.
– Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act: Expands hospital-at-home programs allowing more patients safe care at home.
Blackburn has supported causes including veterans’ care and online child protections according to her official website. She maintains offices throughout Tennessee and represents the state in the U.S. Senate as its first female senator serving on several committees, including Finance; Commerce, Science & Transportation; Veterans’ Affairs; and Judiciary where she has chaired subcommittees related to consumer protection, technology, data privacy. Her legislative focus includes limited government, lower taxes, border security, affordable health care access for veterans and protections for children online.
