Fleischmann Remarks at FY27 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill Subcommittee Markup (As Prepared for Delivery)
Good morning. I’d like to welcome everyone to the subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
The FY27 Energy and Water bill demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding U.S. national security, unleashing American energy dominance, and advancing our economic prosperity. The recommendation totals $58.5 billion, an increase of $461 million above Fiscal Year 2026.
The bill delivers a historic investment in our national defense by providing $27.1 billion — an increase of $1.7 billion above FY26 — 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, prioritizing research and development efforts on baseload energy sources and maintaining funding for programs that deliver affordable energy prices for Americans. That’s a priority for which we can all find common ground.
To further the Trump Administration’s efforts to expand domestic nuclear energy capacity, the bill includes $1.8 billion for base Nuclear Energy programs and additional funding to accelerate deployments of advanced reactors and strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel cycle. These funds will advance American leadership in the nuclear market and promote long-term U.S. energy security.
In support of the Administration’s focus on ensuring our nation makes efficient use of its vast fossil fuel resources, the bill makes strong investments to continue to secure our domestic supply chain of critical minerals and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
Our national security and economic vitality are built upon our nation’s scientific and technological leadership. The bill includes $8.5 billion for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science to ensure America remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. The bill supports the Trump Administration’s Genesis Mission, which will harness our high performance computing capabilities and leverage AI to help address our greatest scientific challenges.
This bill also advances our economic prosperity and promotes public safety. The bill includes $9.8 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, including full funding of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities. The bill also provides funding to continue construction for ongoing inland navigation projects to ensure the safe and efficient flow of commerce, and for projects to protect communities from flooding.
Funding for the Bureau of Reclamation totals $1.8 billion, an increase of more than $200 million above the enacted level. The bill prioritizes projects that increase water supply, assist in drought resilience, and support rural America. 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 nearly 6,700 requests from Members for community project funding, programmatic funding, and bill and report language. We have attempted to address these requests, 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. I look forward to continuing to work together with all of you as the bill moves forward, and I ask for your support for this legislation.
