Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6938. As chairman of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I worked hard to ensure this bill includes many House Republican priorities.

The bill provides a total of $58 billion to advance our national security, strengthen our economy, and unleash American energy dominance.

The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.4 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the United States Navy nuclear fleet.

The bill strengthens our Nation's energy security by advancing American leadership in deploying new nuclear technologies and supporting the administration's efforts to make full use of our Nation's vast fossil fuel resources. The bill will reduce reliance on foreign materials and secure the full supply chain of critical minerals.

The bill furthers our Nation's scientific and technological leadership, including a strong focus on laying the groundwork for AI and quantum efforts, by providing $8.4 billion for the Department of Energy's Office of Science.

At the same time, the bill reduces funding by over 29 percent 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.

The bill also strengthens our economy and promotes public safety, providing $10.3 billion for the great Army Corps of Engineers, including full funding of harbor maintenance and over $2 billion for flood and storm damage reduction, and continued support for the highest priority, ongoing construction projects on the inland waterways system.

Additionally, the bill prioritizes funding for the Bureau of Reclamation for projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience.

Mr. Speaker, there are many other important provisions in the Energy and Water bill, but before I conclude, I will specifically congratulate and thank Chairman Cole for being an outstanding chairman of the full committee. He has let the cardinals do their work. He has worked with Members in the minority and the majority. He has worked with Members of the Senate and the House. Mr. Speaker, I also thank Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur and our colleagues across the Capitol.

This is a strong bipartisan bill. It addresses America's needs and is a great bill, and it should get bipartisan support. This is a strong bill for America.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank the staff, and I do not say this lightly: My staff, Republican and Democratic staff, worked up and through Christmas and after Christmas to get this done. These men and women are outstanding. They do a great job. Let's pass this great bill for America.

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