The House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands passed the 2026 budget with amendments on December 18, 2025. Photo: Internet Source

Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said the budgetary process is both comprehensive and deliberate. Photo: YouTube/HoA

The 2026 budget, the largest in Virgin Islands history, was presented on November 6, 2025, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheately (R7). Photo: Facebook

On December 18, 2025, during the Continuation of the Twelfth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), said the increase was necessary following the Standing Finance stage. 

According to Hon Hodge-Smith, the budget increased from the original projected budget range of $550,591,000.00 to $562 million. 

“These adjustments resulted from, among other factors, approved amendments to requests made during standing finance and in some cases, these requests were supported by the majority of members.”

Two draft budgets 

Hon Hodge-Smith explained that the "budgetary process is both comprehensive and deliberate". 

“It begins with the submission of budget requests by all ministries and departments, and these requests are then compiled by the Ministry of Finance into what is known as Draft Budget A. Following this, the budget address is delivered on budget day, where the government, through the Honourable Premier, outlines its priorities, focus, and plans for the year 2026.”

She further explained that standing finance takes place after which is a critical stage in the process. 

“All ministries, departments and statutory boards appear before this honourable House of Assembly to defend their allocations and, where necessary, lobby for additional funds not reflected in Draft Budget A. At the conclusion of standing finance, Draft B is presented, incorporating any approved amendments arising from that process.”

Those who appear before the House during the standing finance phase have to justify the budgets they have submitted as well as request any additional funds they may need. 

“They have to give reasons, they have to explain themselves, and then members will decide whether they will support or not support these adjustments, and hence we may see a change from when the budget address was presented with an amount, and then today we have a different amount.”

Following the standing finance stage, the members of the House make their own individual contributions before going into the committee stage, which is followed by the budget ultimately being passed. 

The House entered the committee stage following the conclusion of the budget debate on December 18, 2025. 

The 2026 national budget was also passed in the House of Assembly on December 18, 2025. 

See link to related article

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/premier-wheatley-presented-largest-budget-in-vis-history-of-over-550m