119th Congress

Thank you, Chairman Rogers, and thank you to Ranking Member Meng, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all our members.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill sets firm priorities: 
•    Strengthening the safety of our communities; 
•    Driving American leadership in science and innovation; 
•    And expanding opportunity in our economy.

Thank you, Chairman Aderholt, and thank you to Ranking Member DeLauro and to all the members of the committee for being here today.

Our markup work continues with a bill of critical importance to Americans and our nation. The legislation before us funds the operations of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other related agencies. From biomedical research to our classrooms—the impact of this measure on public health and education is one of great importance.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  It is my pleasure to present the fiscal year 2026 recommendations of the subcommittee on labor, health and human services, education, and related agencies to the full committee. I would like to thank you, Chairman Cole, for your longstanding leadership on the Labor-HHS bill and express my appreciation for Ranking Member DeLauro, who tirelessly champions her priorities for this bill.  Ms. DeLauro and I may not always agree, but I very much appreciate her good faith efforts to work together wherever we can. The bill we present to the committee today balances the need for responsible fiscal stewardship while maintaining key investments in biomedical research, schools, and public health.  

I am pleased to bring the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water bill to the floor today.

The bill provides a total of $57.3 billion to safeguard U.S. national security, strengthen our economy, and unleash American energy dominance.

The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the U.S. Navy nuclear fleet.

The bill strengthens our nation’s energy security by advancing American leadership in deploying new nuclear technologies and supporting the Administration’s efforts to make full use of our nation’s vast fossil fuel resources. The bill will reduce reliance on foreign materials and secure the full supply chain of critical minerals.