Remarks

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.

Thank you, Chairman Womack, Ranking Members Clyburn and DeLauro, and subcommittee members.

Today’s Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development measure is about building stronger, traveling safer, and supporting American communities.

This bill responsibly and effectively funds critical transportation and housing needs while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

With targeted investments in surface infrastructure and a meaningful increase to Highway Trust Fund programs, everyone from the traveling public to freight haulers will benefit from more reliable systems and safer travel.

Enhanced resources for FAA facilities and equipment will modernize air traffic control, hire needed controllers, and accelerate the deployment of new technologies. The bill also advances innovation in aircraft certification, drone integration, and automated vehicle development.

The Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies will come to order.

Welcome to the subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Welcome Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and Ranking Member Clyburn.

The bill we are considering today meets our Nation’s most critical transportation and housing needs while reducing excessive spending and regulatory burdens.

The discretionary allocation in the bill is $89.9 billion, $4.5 billion below the Fiscal Year 2025 level. This is a 5% reduction in spending, while cutting even deeper to accommodate $3.7 billion in member projects. When accounting for $1.5 billion in fewer housing receipts, actual spending is $6 billion below FY25.

We have carefully allocated resources to the most critical missions at DOT and HUD while implementing significant reforms.

Thank you, Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member McGovern.

It is a pleasure to appear before the committee today in support of H.R. 4016, the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.  I know our time is relatively short, so I will try to be brief.

H.R. 4016 provides $831.5 billion for the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.  While this is flat relative to discretionary funds enacted in fiscal year 2025, coupled with the recently enacted reconciliation act, it provides nearly $1 trillion to modernize and sustain our armed forces.

Thank you, Chairman Fleischmann, and thank you to Ranking Member DeLauro, Ranking Member Kaptur, and to all the members of the subcommittee. 

Today’s measure is a cornerstone of American energy dominance. 

Under President Trump’s leadership, we are once again focused on lowering energy costs and advancing affordable, reliable, and secure power for the nation. 

The bill before us reflects that agenda in every measure. 

It makes historic investments to secure our energy systems and reduce reliance on foreign materials.

It unlocks technological innovation to propel advancements for the future. 

It provides robust funding for the Army Corps for high-priority waterways, flood control projects, and ports and harbors.

And it recognizes, that by leveraging our domestic resources, we will continue to produce the cleanest and most reliable energy in the world.

Thank you, Chairman Valadao, Ranking Member Espaillat, Ranking Member DeLauro, and all our members. 

We’ve had a busy FY26 appropriations schedule this week, and we are rounding it out with a markup for a bill fundamental to those duties. 

The Legislative Branch measure is central to our democracy. It supports the operations of this House on behalf of the American people and provides resources to help our constituents.

Importantly, we exercise responsible governance by protecting key priorities and refocusing agencies on their core missions. This both safeguards taxpayer dollars and ensures proper operational scope. 

It is my pleasure to present the FY26 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill and report for your consideration today. I appreciate the opportunity to work once again with Ranking Member Espaillat and the minority staff throughout the FY26 process. I’d also like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for their continued leadership. 

We received a record number of requests from our colleagues and the Members present today, and we had the pleasure of accommodating items from both sides of the aisle in a bipartisan manner.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume and I thank my good friend Judge Carter for yielding me time.

I rise today in support of this important piece of legislation.

Prioritizing veterans and troops says everything about our values—and that’s exactly what this first FY26 bill does.

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act is a testament to caring for those who’ve selflessly worn America’s uniform, their families, and the defenders who follow their path of service. 

We meet this mission not only in words of gratitude, but in policies that support them. 

This legislation provides full funding for health care and benefits for our nation’s veterans and implements an advance for the Toxic Exposure Fund. This marks enhanced investment under President Trump, which is also reflected in critical mental health initiatives and work to fight homelessness.