Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill

House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies

2025-07-14

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The subcommittee convened to mark up the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which totals $57.3 billion, a decrease from the previous fiscal year, aiming to support national security, energy dominance, and economic competitiveness [ 00:19:35-00:19:56 ] . While proponents praised the bill's fiscal responsibility and strategic investments [ 00:22:34-00:22:34 ] , several members voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about partisanship, detrimental cuts to vital programs, and negative impacts on communities and future competitiveness [ 00:47:21-00:47:22 ]

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Themes

FY26 Energy and Water Bill Priorities

The proposed bill allocates $57.3 billion, representing a $766 million decrease from fiscal year 2025 [ 00:19:56 ] . Key investments include $25.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration to modernize nuclear weapons and the Navy nuclear fleet, and $7.7 billion for Department of Energy cleanup activities [ 00:20:07-00:20:26 ] . It also provides $1.8 billion for base nuclear energy programs, with additional funding for advanced nuclear reactors and small modular reactors, aiming to advance American leadership in nuclear technologies [ 00:20:31-00:20:49 ] . The bill includes significant investments in mining production technologies for critical minerals, $9.9 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, and $1.9 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation to enhance water supply and drought resilience [ 00:20:54-00:21:53 ] . Furthermore, $8.4 billion is designated for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, while funding is reduced by 25% across other department programs to focus on high-priority research [ 00:22:06-00:22:11 ] .

Concerns over Partisanship and Funding Cuts

Numerous members expressed deep disappointment, characterizing the bill as partisan and detrimental [ 00:48:26-00:48:40 ]

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. Critics highlighted a $1.6 billion (47%) cut from the Department of Energy's energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, arguing this harms clean energy leadership and increases energy bills . The bill also revokes $5.1 billion from bipartisan infrastructure law resources for DOE programs, impacting hydrogen, direct air capture, and battery recycling initiatives . The elimination of funding for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and significant cuts to the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Account were also strongly criticized for undermining efforts to prevent nuclear weapon spread and protect national security .

Energy Independence and Economic Competitiveness

Proponents of the bill stated it fosters American energy dominance and economic competitiveness by prioritizing domestic resources and advanced technologies [ 00:19:42-00:19:54 ] . Investments in nuclear energy and critical minerals extraction are seen as essential for securing supply chains and reducing foreign reliance [ 00:20:31-00:21:17 ] . Conversely, opponents argued the bill undermines American leadership in the future diversified and clean energy economy, ceding ground to countries like China, which is heavily investing in renewables . They contend that cuts to clean energy and efficiency programs will lead to higher energy costs for families and businesses .

Water Resources and Infrastructure Resilience

The bill includes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, aiming to increase water supply and support drought resilience [ 00:21:49-00:21:53 ] . However, the ranking member highlighted the critical need for resilient infrastructure in light of recent extreme flash flooding events and climate change, questioning the bill's adequacy in preparing communities . Concerns were raised about a 75% cut to the Water Smart program and potential impacts on Army Corps construction funding, particularly in areas like California .

Impact on Communities and Social Equity

The bill's critics emphasized its negative impacts on American communities, particularly concerning environmental cleanup and access to essential services . One member shared a historical anecdote to underscore how prohibitions in the bill could prevent funding from reaching underserved communities still lacking basic infrastructure, such as running water in schools [ 00:43:30-00:46:54 ]

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. The cuts to nuclear cleanup efforts were highlighted as delaying promised remediation for communities living with the toxic legacy of America's atomic past .

Spent Nuclear Fuel Management

A point of bipartisan agreement was spent nuclear fuel management, with one member appreciating the inclusion of funding for integrated waste management . While expressing concern about restrictions on private consolidated interim storage, the member advocated for continued collaborative efforts to find a federal solution for nuclear waste disposal, citing the significant taxpayer liability associated with current management . The chairman affirmed his commitment to working on this issue collaboratively .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting had a highly contentious and polarized tone . While the chairman maintained a formal and appreciative demeanor towards staff and colleagues [ 00:23:02-00:23:15 ] , the ranking member and other Democratic speakers used strong, critical language, describing the bill as "partisan," "saddening," "dangerous," and "lawless" . They accused the majority of enacting policies that would raise energy costs, hurt competitiveness, and jeopardize national security . The discussions were marked by significant disagreement on the bill's objectives and its projected impacts on the economy, environment, and social equity.

Participants

Transcript

the subcommittee on energy and water development and related agencies will come to order welcome to the subcommittee markup of the fiscal year 2026 energy and water development and related agencies appropriations bill i'm pleased to be joined by our subcommittee ranking member ms captor full committee chairman cole ranking member de laura and members of the subcommittee   The FY26 Energy and Water Bill demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding U.S.  national security, unleashing American energy dominance, and advancing our economic competitiveness in a fiscally responsible manner.   The recommendation totals 57.3 billion, a decrease of 766 million below fiscal year 2025.  The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides 25.3 billion, an increase of 1.2 billion above fiscal 25,   for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the United States Navy nuclear fleet.   We continue to fulfill our legacy responsibilities to remediate contaminated sites by funding Department of Energy cleanup activities at a total of $7.7 billion.  The bill strengthens our nation's energy security, including $1.8 billion for base nuclear energy programs and additional funding, including credit subsidy financing for advanced nuclear reactors and small modular reactors.   These funds will advance American leadership in deploying new nuclear technologies, accelerate efforts to regain international dominance in the nuclear market, and provide for our own domestic energy security.  In support of the administration's focus on ensuring our nation makes efficient use of its vast fossil fuel resources, the bill includes one of the largest investments in mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction in decades.
These investments are essential to secure our domestic supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign sources.  The bill also strengthens our economic competitiveness and promotes public safety.  The bill includes $9.9 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, including full funding of the Harbor Maintenance Trust activities, and the highest priority, ongoing Inland Waterways Trust Fund construction projects to ensure the safe flow of commerce.   Funding for the Bureau of Reclamation includes $1.9 billion, prioritized to projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience.  Our national security and economic vitality are built upon our nation's scientific and technological leadership.  This bill includes $8.4 billion for the Department of Energy's Office of Science to ensure America remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation.   At the same time, the bill reduces funding by 25% across numerous other department programs, including the applied energy technology offices to ensure taxpayer resources are focused on the highest priority research and development projects.   Finally, the bill includes a number of provisions to codify President Trump's executive actions to protect American values and prevent our resources and intellectual property from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries.  Overall, this is a fiscally responsible bill that will strengthen our national security and advance our energy independence.  I would like to thank the members of the subcommittee for their valuable input to shape this bill.   This subcommittee received more than 5,500 requests from members for community projects, programmatic funding, and bill and report language.  We have attempted to address as many of these requests as possible for both Republican and Democrats with the overall priorities for the bill.
Last but not certainly least, I would like to thank staff on both sides of the aisle, and I'm so sincere in this, the way that you all work together for hours on end is incredible.  I appreciate staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work on this bill.  I now recognize my friend, the ranking member, Ms.  Kaptur, for her opening remarks.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.  It's a pleasure to work with you as we gather here to mark up the fiscal year 2026 energy and water development bill.  Chairman Fleischman, I do enjoy working with you along with all of our colleagues to develop and pass bipartisan bills as has long been this committee's practice.  I'm truly saddened   that this vital subcommittee is being steered yet again to return to a partisan process, present company accepted from that direction for this fiscal year 2026 House Bill.  I'd like to, as you have, thank our diligent staff for all their hard work, from the minority staff, Scott McKee, Anisha Singe, and Adam Wilson, and on my personal staff, Caitlin Ulan, TJ Loudermilk, and Margaret McGinnis, thank you all.   Energy and water undergird America's way of life.  They are not optional, but essential to sustaining life.  We are reminded about our purpose, especially as related to water resource development by the extreme flash flooding that occurred in Texas, resulting in the unnecessary and tragic loss of over 100 lives with, we believe, at least 160 missing.  So many children, so many counselors, just a terrible American tragedy.   further deadly West Virginia flash flooding this past month significantly damaged over 100 homes unfortunately taking the lives of at least seven people including a nine year old boy in Valley Grove West Virginia and by the way a member of our full committee represents that community we've also seen flooding events in central North Carolina   New Mexico and our hearts go out to the families of the victims and those communities let me be clear no matter how much the members on the other side of the aisle want to pretend that the climate isn't changing for the record the last 10 years are the 10 hottest in recorded history these recent floods are made worse by that we had four year 1,000 year floods last week alone think about that
for one thousand-year floods last week alone.  It is our duty to prepare our communities and people.  We need to build resilient infrastructure.  My home in the city of Toledo has spent billions of dollars to fund new sewers and vast underground catchment basins.   We are making investments all over our district to protect the Lake Erie shoreline.  And in places where infrastructure investments aren't cost effective, we need to make sure that families will be protected with adequate land planning, not fanciful planning, real planning, and disaster warning systems.   I, for one, have brought funding for tornado sirens to our district and built a new border patrol station to protect and defend our people.  We zone to prevent flooding from threatening human life.  It is our job as public servants to dedicate ourselves to addressing the structural shortcomings at the federal, state, and local level that contributed and contribute to the loss of life.   Sadly, this Republican energy and water bill does not meet our nation's imperative for the future.  America must become energy independent in perpetuity.  In a nation of 350 million people headed to 500 million, half a billion people, we must make energy cost less, especially as grid resilience is undermined.

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