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Energy and Water Bill Cuts DOE Clean‑Energy Programs; Democrats Warn of Higher Costs and Lost Jobs
Summary
The Energy & Water FY2026 appropriations bill trims Department of Energy clean‑energy programs, redirects some IIJA funds and increases nuclear and defense spending; Democrats argued cuts would raise household energy costs, cost jobs and cede advantage to foreign competitors, while Republicans defended reallocations and fiscal restraint.
House members debated the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill during a July markup, where the Republican majority’s text reduced some Department of Energy clean‑energy program funding, prioritized nuclear security and redirected certain IIJA advance appropriations. Chair Mike Fleischmann (R‑Tenn.) characterized the package as “strengthening our nation’s energy security,” citing a total recommendation of roughly $57.3 billion for Energy and Water accounts.
Republicans emphasized funding shifts toward nuclear modernization and Army Corps projects while saying they were trimming lower priority innovation programs. “The recommendation totals $57,300,000,000, a decrease of $7,707,766,000 below fiscal…
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