Fleischmann Remarks During Floor Consideration of H.R. 4366, The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Chair for yielding time.

I rise in strong support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024, particularly the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. As Chairman of that subcommittee, I worked hard to ensure the bill includes many House Republican priorities.

At a total of $58.2 billion, the bill advances our national security, our energy security, and our economic competitiveness in a fiscally responsible manner.

To support our nuclear deterrent, the bill funds the National Nuclear Security Administration at $24.1 billion, an increase of almost $2 billion above fiscal year 2023. Specifically, the bill fully funds all major weapons and infrastructure modernization activities, including the W-93 warhead, the nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile, a variant of the B61 gravity bomb, and the restart of plutonium pit production capability.

On the non-defense side of the bill, I was very pleased to be able to secure an increase in funding for the Department of Energy Office of Science, including fusion energy science. This funding will enhance America’s role as the global leader of scientific discovery and lay the foundation for future scientific breakthroughs.

The programs funded in the Energy and Water bill also help improve our nation’s energy security. To reduce our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals, the bill provides strong support for the full spectrum of production technologies.

Remaining a leader in nuclear energy technologies will ensure reliable energy here at home and will help allies around the globe. The bill sustains the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy base program and also redirects previously appropriated funds to higher priorities. Specifically:

• $2.8 billion to develop a domestic capability for producing low enriched uranium, including high-assay low enriched uranium that will be necessary for upcoming advanced reactors; and
• $910 million to support advanced small modular reactor design and deployment activities.

There are many other important provisions in the Energy and Water bill, but before my time is up, I want to congratulate Chairwoman Granger on bringing together this appropriations package.

I’d also like to acknowledge the efforts of our colleagues across the aisle – especially my Ranking Member, Ms. Kaptur – and our colleagues across the Capitol.

Finally, I’d like to thank the staff for all their hard work throughout the past year. On the majority staff, Angie, Perry, Nora, Richie, Scott, Angelina, and Janet. In my personal office, Daniel and Ian. On the minority side, Scott, Jocelyn, and Adam.

This is a strong bill for America – with many House Republican priorities. I urge my colleagues to vote yes.

I yield back.