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House panel grills Energy secretary on FY2026 budget cuts, reorganization and staffing
Summary
Secretary Chris Wright told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee the administration’s FY2026 budget refocuses DOE on "energy dominance," cutting programs and trimming staff; Democrats warned the changes would jeopardize grants, labs and state programs and could raise utility costs.
Secretary Chris Wright defended the Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 Department of Energy budget on the record before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, saying the proposal refocuses DOE on core missions "to unleash a golden era of American energy dominance, strengthen our national security, and lead the world in innovation." Wright told lawmakers the administration will prioritize what it considers affordable, reliable and secure sources and said the department has begun a workforce reorganization to align staffing with that agenda.
The subcommittee's Democratic members responded with concern. Representative Kathy Castor, the panel's ranking member, said the budget “will increase household energy…
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