House Rules Committee clears structured rule for Energy and Water appropriations amid sharp debate over clean-energy cuts and national labs

The House Rules Committee on Tuesday approved a structured rule that will bring HR 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal 2026, to the floor for debate and amendments.

The rule, offered by Representative A. Griffith and adopted by the committee, sets one hour of general debate, makes the bill considered as read, establishes a set of amendments printed in the committee report and permits 10 pro forma amendments for debate. The committee voted to report the rule by recorded vote (9 yeas, 4 nays).

The bill totals $57.3 billion, a sponsor told the committee, $766 million below fiscal year 2025. It would provide $25.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration to continue modernization of the nuclear weapon stockpile and associated naval nuclear work. The Office of Science would receive about $8.4 billion, lawmakers said, while the bill would supply roughly $9.9 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities and continuing construction on inland waterways.

Republicans and the bill27s supporters framed the measure as strengthening national security, American energy production and infrastructure. Representative Charles Fleishman, appearing as a witness from the Appropriations Committee, told the Rules panel the bill prioritizes…