Fleischmann Remarks at FY26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill Subcommittee Markup
Good morning. I’d like to welcome everyone to the subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
The FY26 Energy and Water bill demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding U.S. national security, unleashing American energy dominance, and advancing our economic competitiveness—in a fiscally responsible manner. The recommendation totals $57.3 billion, a decrease of $766 million below fiscal year 2025.
The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.3 billion—an increase of $1.2 billion above FY25—for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the U.S. Navy nuclear fleet.
We continue to fulfill our legacy responsibilities to remediate contaminated sites by funding Department of Energy cleanup activities at a total of $7.7 billion.
The bill strengthens our nation’s energy security, including $1.8 billion for base Nuclear Energy programs and additional funding, including credit subsidy financing, for advanced nuclear reactors and small modular reactors. These funds will advance American leadership in deploying new nuclear technologies, accelerate efforts to regain international dominance in the nuclear market, and provide for our own domestic energy security.
In support of the Administration’s focus on ensuring our nation makes efficient use of its vast fossil fuel resources, the bill includes one of the largest investments in mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction in decades. These investments are essential to secure our domestic supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
This bill also strengthens our economic competitiveness and promotes public safety.
The bill includes $9.9 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, including full funding of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities and the highest priority, ongoing Inland Waterways Trust Fund construction projects to ensure the safe flow of commerce.
Funding for the Bureau of Reclamation totals $1.9 billion, prioritized to projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience.
Our national security and economic vitality are built upon our nation’s scientific and technological leadership. The bill includes $8.4 billion for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science to ensure America remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation.
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.
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.
Overall, this is a fiscally responsible bill that will strengthen our national security and advance our energy independence.
I would like to thank all the Members of the subcommittee for their valuable input in helping to shape this bill. The subcommittee received more than 5,500 requests from Members for Community Projects, programmatic funding, and bill and report language. We have attempted to address as many of these requests as possible—for both Republicans and Democrats—within the overall priorities for the bill.
Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work on this bill.
