House Passes FY26 Energy and Water Bill, Unleashing American Energy Dominance
September 4, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives met to consider the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026. The measure was approved by a vote of 214 to 213.
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) said, “The cornerstones of President Trump’s and Republicans’ plan to renew America are abundant energy, a strong military, and rebuilt, modern infrastructure projects that replace our crumbling, dated national infrastructure. The passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water bill strengthens America by investing in the modernization of our national security and nuclear deterrent, securing American global leadership in new nuclear, funding waterways infrastructure from coast to coast, and reducing our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. As Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations subcommittee, I am proud that my bill does important work to revitalize America while being a responsible steward of the American people’s tax dollars. I thank the Trump Administration, Chairman Cole, and my colleagues for their close collaboration and strong support for my bill and urge the Senate to quickly follow the House’s lead and pass my FY26 Energy and Water bill.”
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “America’s prosperity begins with energy. The Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Act unleashes American energy dominance, lowers costs for families and businesses, and restores confidence in our grid. Energy strength is national strength—fueling jobs, innovation, and resilience in every community—and no longer will traditional energy sources be punished for being affordable and reliable. This bill also makes a historic commitment to critical mineral production, securing the resources America needs to reduce dependence on adversaries and power the technologies of tomorrow. U.S. safety and security are further prioritized through modernizing our nuclear deterrent and safeguarding technology from the CCP and other hostile regimes. Further, it backs vital investments in water infrastructure, ports, and flood control that protect communities and keep commerce moving. Under Chairman Fleischmann’s leadership, this measure makes clear that America will lead with strength built on abundant domestic energy and resources. I am proud to support this bill and an America First energy future.”
Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $57.300 billion, which is $766.4 million below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. The defense portion of the allocation is $33.223 billion, and the non-defense portion of the allocation is $24.077 billion.
The bill prioritizes funding for agencies and programs that safeguard U.S. national security, unleash American energy dominance, and advance economic competitiveness.
Key Takeaways
Champions America’s nuclear deterrent and strengthens national security by:
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) said, “The cornerstones of President Trump’s and Republicans’ plan to renew America are abundant energy, a strong military, and rebuilt, modern infrastructure projects that replace our crumbling, dated national infrastructure. The passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water bill strengthens America by investing in the modernization of our national security and nuclear deterrent, securing American global leadership in new nuclear, funding waterways infrastructure from coast to coast, and reducing our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. As Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations subcommittee, I am proud that my bill does important work to revitalize America while being a responsible steward of the American people’s tax dollars. I thank the Trump Administration, Chairman Cole, and my colleagues for their close collaboration and strong support for my bill and urge the Senate to quickly follow the House’s lead and pass my FY26 Energy and Water bill.”
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “America’s prosperity begins with energy. The Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Act unleashes American energy dominance, lowers costs for families and businesses, and restores confidence in our grid. Energy strength is national strength—fueling jobs, innovation, and resilience in every community—and no longer will traditional energy sources be punished for being affordable and reliable. This bill also makes a historic commitment to critical mineral production, securing the resources America needs to reduce dependence on adversaries and power the technologies of tomorrow. U.S. safety and security are further prioritized through modernizing our nuclear deterrent and safeguarding technology from the CCP and other hostile regimes. Further, it backs vital investments in water infrastructure, ports, and flood control that protect communities and keep commerce moving. Under Chairman Fleischmann’s leadership, this measure makes clear that America will lead with strength built on abundant domestic energy and resources. I am proud to support this bill and an America First energy future.”
Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $57.300 billion, which is $766.4 million below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. The defense portion of the allocation is $33.223 billion, and the non-defense portion of the allocation is $24.077 billion.
The bill prioritizes funding for agencies and programs that safeguard U.S. national security, unleash American energy dominance, and advance economic competitiveness.
Key Takeaways
Champions America’s nuclear deterrent and strengthens national security by:
- Providing $20.662 billion for the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure.
- Providing $2.171 billion to support the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet by investing in infrastructure and new technologies to maintain America’s advantage over our adversaries.
- Providing $1.984 billion to reduce the danger of hostile nations or terrorist groups acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Prohibiting the sale of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the Chinese Communist Party.
- Prohibiting access to U.S. nuclear weapons production facilities by citizens of China and Russia.
- Prohibiting the Department of Energy from providing financial assistance to any foreign entity of concern.
- Prohibiting the purchase of technology and telecommunications equipment from China and other adversaries.
Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:
- Codifying President Trump’s executive actions by prohibiting funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Critical Race Theory programs and ending federal censorship of free speech.
- Continuing the prohibition on funding for any discriminatory action against individuals advocating for traditional marriage.
- Allowing for the lawful carry of firearms on Corps of Engineers land.
Restores American energy dominance and bolsters the national economy by:
- Supporting one of the largest investments focused on mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction in decades, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- Robustly funding small modular reactor and advanced reactor demonstration projects, as well as increasing funding for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to expand capacity for the review, licensing, and oversight of new nuclear reactors.
- These investments are key to regaining international dominance in the nuclear market and achieving the Trump Administration’s goal to expand nuclear energy capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050.
- Facilitating the efficient transport of goods and commodities through improvements and maintenance of America’s ports and waterways.
- Increasing investments to develop new baseload geothermal energy sources to capitalize on our vast domestic resources.
- Maintaining funding for cybersecurity efforts that enable a resilient, reliable, and secure electric grid.
Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:
- Eliminating the Biden-era Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
- Including no funds for the Department of Energy Office of Energy Justice and Equity.
- Refocusing applied energy technology program funding to ensure taxpayer resources are directed to the highest priority research and development efforts.
- Reducing global dependency on the U.S. for foreign nuclear reactor conversions.
A summary of the bill, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
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