Federal Spending Report — 2026-09-19
Federal Spending Brief: September 19, 2026
The federal government obligated $59,000 across three grants on September 19, 2026, with the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture splitting awards between Tennessee and Washington state.
Vanderbilt University in Tennessee secured the largest single award of the day, receiving a $35,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. This represented 59% of total spending for the period and was the sole award issued by HHS. The remaining $24,000 in obligations flowed entirely through the Department of Agriculture, which distributed two grants in Washington state valued at $13,000 and $11,000 respectively.
Two contractors received federal funding on this date. Vanderbilt University claimed the top position with its single $35,000 award, while a second contractor received $24,000 split across two separate Department of Agriculture grants. The concentration of funding among just two entities reflects a relatively narrow distribution of resources for the day's spending activity.
The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture accounted for all federal obligations recorded. HHS's single $35,000 award to Vanderbilt represented 59% of daily spending, while the Agriculture Department's two Washington-based grants comprised the remaining 41%. Both agencies exclusively issued grants rather than contracts or other obligation types.
All three awards took the form of grants, indicating a focus on funding research, institutional support, or similar non-procurement activities. Tennessee and Washington were the only states receiving direct federal funding on September 19, with Tennessee capturing 59% of obligations through Vanderbilt's award and Washington accounting for 41% through two Agriculture Department grants. The relatively small daily total and limited geographic distribution suggest this represents routine grant-making activity rather than any major policy initiative or emergency spending.