Remarks

Thank you, Chairman Cole.  I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 

Today’s bill has a wide reach, from our national parks to the water in our pipes. It funds fighting wildfires out West and furthers our commitment to our Tribal nations. 

The bill before us today targets resources to reduce energy costs, protect American jobs, and preserve access to our public lands for recreation, hunting, and development of our natural resources.

Thank you, Chairman Joyce. And thank you to Ranking Member Hoyer, Ranking Member of the Full Committee DeLauro, and all the members of the subcommittee.

Today we continue our work on the FY 2026 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill.

This legislation provides important resources for agencies and offices that impact every American, our economy, and the branches of the United States government. From the Executive Office of the President to the Federal Judiciary, the impact touches everything from national security to the rule of law.

I would like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for being here today. And of course, I would like to thank Ranking Member Hoyer. I value his insights on and off this Subcommittee.

I’m proud of the product we are marking up today.  This bill reflects the hard work of the Subcommittee over the last several months. 

Counting our Member day back in early March, we’ve held nine hearings, on top of the additional briefings to inform our work.

Thank you, Chairman Fleischmann, Ranking Member Kaptur, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all our committee members.

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

We need affordable, reliable, and secure power for the nation – and the bill before us delivers it. 

To drive down energy costs, restore American energy independence, and support U.S. jobs, we are advancing policies and investments that unleash the full potential of American-made energy.

This marks a critical shift. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present to the Committee the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

I’d like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for their leadership throughout this process, and my good friend and Ranking Member of the Energy and Water subcommittee, Marcy Kaptur, for her partnership. 

I’d also like to extend my appreciation to all my colleagues for their valuable input in helping to shape this bill.

Thank you, Chairman Womack, and thank you to Ranking Member Clyburn, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all our members. 

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development measure before the subcommittee today responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs while demonstrating fiscal responsibility. 

Thank you, Chairman Cole, for your remarks on this bill and for your leadership. This Committee is fulfilling its constitutional duty thanks to your dedication.

And thank you, Ranking Member DeLauro, for your leadership on this committee. I trust that the day is not far off when we will work together to negotiate these bills in good faith with the Senate and the White House so that we avoid a catastrophic shutdown or long-term CR. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to offer H.R. 4016, the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. I want to start by thanking Chairman Cole for his leadership in this process.  I also thank the Defense subcommittee ranking member, Ms. McCollum, for her partnership and friendship.  Finally, I thank the defense subcommittee staff for their tireless work on this year’s bill.