Fleischmann Floor Remarks on H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

I am pleased to bring the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water bill to the floor today.

The bill provides a total of $57.3 billion to safeguard U.S. national security, strengthen our economy, and unleash American energy dominance.

The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the U.S. 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, providing $8.4 billion for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. At the same time, the bill reduces funding by 25 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.

This bill also strengthens our economy and promotes public safety, providing $9.9 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, including full funding of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities and the highest priority, ongoing construction projects on the inland waterways system.

Funding for the Bureau of Reclamation is prioritized to projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience.

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.

This legislation reflects a clear commitment to fiscal responsibility while safeguarding our national security and increasing economic prosperity for all our citizens, and I urge my colleagues to support it.