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

Floor Speech

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Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the negotiated FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act.

As a new member of the CJS Committee, I am pleased to have been part of crafting this legislation. I thank my fellow Appropriations Committee members and staff for their extraordinary hard work making this bill happen.

Despite being in the minority, Democrats on the Appropriations Committee have fought for months to reject the Trump administration's proposed cuts to crucial programs, programs that make our communities safer and support our law enforcement. Our fight was fruitful.

For example, we secured $50 million for community violence intervention and prevention initiative grants, despite the President and the House Republicans' attempts to eliminate this funding that so many of our local law enforcement rely upon. These programs have immeasurably reduced crime and gun violence.

We successfully removed 76 partisan policy riders that would have eliminated firearms trafficking regulations, climate change, and so much more.

Further, this bill provides $938 million for STEM education so that we can invest in the next generation of innovators, despite the House Republicans' attempt to eliminate this funding.

Overall, this is a strong repudiation of the Trump administration's antiscience agenda. The Interior and Environment bill appropriates $8.8 billion for the EPA and includes provisions to protect staffing levels at EPA so that the agency can perform its mission to protect human health and the environment.

The Energy and Water bill includes strong funding for energy research and innovation programs including energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

This isn't just good for the environment. It is good for business. Amid rising energy demands and higher prices, an increase of $3 million to the Weatherization Assistance Program will help low-income households reduce their home energy use.

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Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, these bills, while not perfect, reflect months of hard work by the Democrats to fight against the administration's cuts to vital programs and services so many Americans rely upon.

They reassert Congress' power of the purse, impose checks on the administration, and provide stability to our country and economy by avoiding another stopgap measure.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole. I thank the ranking member. It has been a privilege to serve on this committee, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the package.

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