Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
This spending bill finances federal water infrastructure and energy programs for fiscal year 2026, redirecting roughly five billion dollars from renewable energy and carbon capture into advanced nuclear reactor projects. It allows visitors to carry firearms on Army Corps of Engineers lands and lakes in accordance with state laws, keeps public campgrounds open at Lake Lanier, and expands funding caps for Western drought relief and water desalination. The measure also bars federal money from being used for COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates, diversity initiatives, or flagging social media speech as misinformation, while protecting tax exemptions and grants for religious groups that define marriage as between one man and one woman.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- lawfully armed visitors to Army Corps water project landsBars the Army Corps of Engineers from enforcing regulations that prohibit individuals from carrying legally owned firearms on water resource development project lands if permitted under state law (Sec. 108).
- advanced nuclear reactor developersDirects approximately $5.1 billion in transferred funding from prior clean energy and carbon management appropriations toward Generation 3+ small modular reactor and Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program projects (Sec. 313).
- individuals and organizations with traditional religious beliefs on marriageProtects individuals and organizations from losing federal tax-exempt status, grants, contracts, certifications, or accreditations if they speak or act according to the religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman (Sec. 506).
- state, local, and tribal governments hosting nuclear waste facilitiesBars federal spending on private consolidated interim storage facilities for commercial spent nuclear fuel unless host state, local, and tribal governments grant formal consent (Sec. 504).
- Navajo Nation and Northwestern New Mexico rural water systemsIncreases total authorized funding for rural water supply projects in Northwestern New Mexico and the Navajo Nation from $870 million to $1.815 billion through 2026 (Sec. 208).
- campers and recreational visitors at Lake Sidney LanierProhibits using funds to close seven specified public campgrounds located at Lake Sidney Lanier in Georgia (Sec. 513).
Who it burdens
- San Luis Unit water beneficiariesRequires local beneficiaries to fully repay past cleanup costs for the Kesterson Reservoir and San Joaquin Valley programs and to reimburse all future federal costs for San Luis Unit drainage services or studies (Sec. 202(b)).
- Russian and Chinese citizens seeking access to nuclear weapons facilitiesRestricts non-U.S. citizens from Russia or China from entering secure areas of U.S. nuclear weapons production facilities unless Congress receives 30 days of advance notice (Sec. 310).
Who opposes it
- Chinese government-affiliated petroleum purchasersProhibits the drawdown and sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party, and bars exporting that oil to China (Sec. 308).
- Chinese government-owned technology equipment manufacturersProhibits the Department of Energy from purchasing office computers, printers, or videoconferencing equipment from vendors or parent companies in which the Chinese government owns any stake (Sec. 311).
- renewable energy, efficiency, and carbon capture project developersRescinds and transfers approximately $5.1 billion in previously appropriated funds away from energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean energy demonstrations, and carbon capture infrastructure accounts to fund advanced nuclear projects (Sec. 313).
- diversity, equity, and inclusion personnel and training contractorsProhibits federal funding from being used to support diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, personnel, trainings, and initiatives, or programs promoting Critical Race Theory (Sec. 505).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 53 provisions
Protects the right of individuals to carry legally owned firearms on Army Corps of Engineers water project lands if allowed by state law.
Bans selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any company owned or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party or exporting that oil to China.
Blocks the Department of Energy from enforcing or implementing its May 2024 rule requiring clean energy standards for new and renovated federal buildings.
Redirects approximately $5.1 billion from prior clean energy, efficiency, and carbon capture appropriations into advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects.
Prohibits spending federal funds on private consolidated interim storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel unless host state, local, and tribal governments formally consent.
Bans the use of funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, staff, and trainings, and for programs that promote Critical Race Theory.
Prohibits federal agencies from revoking tax exemptions, grants, contracts, or accreditations of individuals and groups holding the religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Prohibits federal funds from being used to enforce or administer COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates.
Restricts flags flown or displayed at federal facilities under this Act to the U.S. flag, official federal agency seal flags, and the POW/MIA flag.
Prohibits agencies funded by this Act from finalizing any major rule or regulation that has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more.
Limits the Army Corps of Engineers from moving funds between projects without congressional approval, capping reprogramming amounts for studies, construction, and maintenance.
Requires the Secretary of the Army to submit a baseline report within 60 days detailing approved spending and congressional adjustments for Army Corps accounts.
Directs the Secretary of the Army to spend funds and designate new project starts strictly as specified in this law and its accompanying committee report.
Prohibits the Army Corps from entering into or altering contracts that commit more money than is currently available in unobligated or reprogrammed funds.
Permits the Secretary of the Army to transfer up to $8,733,000 to the Fish and Wildlife Service to rebuild or replace fisheries damaged by Army Corps projects.
Bars dumping dredged material from Lake Erie into open water without state water quality certification, requiring the Army Corps to place material on land until certified.
Prohibits using funds to conduct any water supply reallocation study for Lake Cumberland and the Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky.
Restricts additional Army Corps funding in this title to projects certified as eligible by the Chief of Engineers.
Prohibits using funds to remove Confederate-associated names or symbols from Army Corps civil works projects.
Restricts the Bureau of Reclamation from shifting funds to start, cancel, or expand water programs beyond set dollar and percentage caps without congressional approval.
Requires the Bureau of Reclamation to spend water resource funds according to House committee report tables and submit quarterly transfer reports to Congress.
Bars funds from selecting a final discharge point for the Central Valley's San Luis Unit drain until California and the federal government agree on a water protection plan.
Requires full repayment by local beneficiaries for past Kesterson Reservoir and San Joaquin Valley cleanups and for any future San Luis Unit drainage services or studies.
Extends authorizations for Western water storage projects through 2027 and raises federal spending limits to $177.5 million for water recycling and $106.5 million for desalination.
Increases total authorized funding for the WaterSMART water conservation grant program to $1 billion.
Extends California Bay-Delta environmental and water management programs through 2026 and raises the authorization cap for water conveyance projects to $35 million.
Extends authorization for Rio Grande Basin water management studies and projects through 2026.
Raises the spending cap under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act from $120 million to $130 million.
Increases authorized funding for Northwestern New Mexico and Navajo Nation rural water supply projects to $1.815 billion through 2026.
Conditions Department of Energy loan guarantee authority on written advance certification from the Office of Management and Budget that projects meet specific statutory terms.
Prohibits the Department of Energy from starting or restarting programs or issuing funding solicitations unless specifically funded by Congress.
Requires the Department of Energy to give Congress at least three days of advance notice before awarding or canceling major grants, contracts, or national lab funding over $1 million.
Requires multiyear energy contracts and grants to either be fully funded up front or include clauses that make payments dependent on future congressional appropriations.
Limits the Department of Energy from shifting more than $5 million or 10 percent between programs without giving Congress 30 days of advance notice and receiving approval.
Allows the Secretary of Energy to waive funding and spending restrictions if necessary to prevent serious threats to health, safety, the environment, or national security.
Authorizes the Department of Energy to merge unspent balances from prior years into current program accounts for the same authorized purposes.
Authorizes energy-related intelligence spending for fiscal year 2026 until the annual intelligence authorization bill becomes law.
Prohibits using funds to construct high-hazard nuclear facilities without independent safety oversight by the Office of Enterprise Assessments.
Bars approving major construction stages for Department of Energy projects over $100 million until an independent cost estimate is completed.
Requires federal grants and agreements over $100 million to follow internal independent project management procedures.
Prohibits transferring money from the Western Area Power Administration's Colorado River Basins fund into the general fund of the U.S. Treasury.
Bars the Department of Energy from creating new regional petroleum product reserves unless explicitly requested in the President's budget and approved by Congress.
Bans awarding Department of Energy contracts, grants, or loans of $10 million or more to designated foreign entities of concern.
Prohibits non-U.S. citizens from Russia or China from entering secure areas of U.S. nuclear weapons production facilities without 30 days of advance notice to Congress.
Prohibits the Department of Energy from purchasing office computers, printers, or videoconferencing equipment from companies owned in any part by the Chinese government.
Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to follow its established 2011 internal procedures when answering information requests from Congress.
Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to seek congressional approval before shifting funds over $500,000 or 10 percent and to provide monthly budget reports.
Prohibits using funds appropriated under this Act to lobby Congress on pending legislation or budget matters.
Restricts the transfer of funds between the Department of Energy and other federal agencies without statutory authority and requires semiannual reports to Congress.
Requires all computer networks maintained with these funds to block pornography, with an exception for criminal law enforcement investigations.
Bans federal agencies from labeling American communications as misinformation or partnering with groups that push social media platforms to censor speech.
Allows recreation fees collected by the Army Corps of Engineers to be spent anywhere within the broader civil works project rather than only at the specific collection site.
Prohibits using funds to close seven specified public campgrounds located at Lake Sidney Lanier in Georgia.
Protects the right of individuals to carry legally owned firearms on Army Corps of Engineers water project lands if allowed by state law.
Bans selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any company owned or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party or exporting that oil to China.
Blocks the Department of Energy from enforcing or implementing its May 2024 rule requiring clean energy standards for new and renovated federal buildings.
Redirects approximately $5.1 billion from prior clean energy, efficiency, and carbon capture appropriations into advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects.
Prohibits spending federal funds on private consolidated interim storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel unless host state, local, and tribal governments formally consent.
Bans the use of funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, staff, and trainings, and for programs that promote Critical Race Theory.
Prohibits federal agencies from revoking tax exemptions, grants, contracts, or accreditations of individuals and groups holding the religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Prohibits federal funds from being used to enforce or administer COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates.
Restricts flags flown or displayed at federal facilities under this Act to the U.S. flag, official federal agency seal flags, and the POW/MIA flag.
Prohibits agencies funded by this Act from finalizing any major rule or regulation that has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 52 actions
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 156.
- Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- Received in the Senate.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 213 (Roll no. 239).
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 213 (Roll no. 239).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 218 (Roll no. 238).
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Ms. Budzinski moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (text: CR H3841)
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4553.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Schweikert amendment No. 33, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Schweikert demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schweikert amendment No. 33.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 32, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Perry demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 32.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 31, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Kaptur demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 31.
- The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3835)
- Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 4553 as unfinished business.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- Mr. Fleischmann moved that the committee rise.
- The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3821)
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 30, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Kaptur demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 30.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 29, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Kaptur demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 29.
- POSTPONED PROCEDDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 28, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Kaptur demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 28.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 27, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fleischmann demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 27.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 26, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Kaptur demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 26.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 25, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fleischmann demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 25.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 24, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fitzpatrick demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 24.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 23, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fitzpatrick demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 23.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCormick amendment No. 21.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Griffith amendment No. 8.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 672, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Fleischmann amendment en bloc.
- GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4553.
- The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Fine to act as Chairman of the Committee.
- House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 672 and Rule XVIII.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4553, H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105 and H.J. Res. 106. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4553 under a structured rule, and H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105, and H.J. Res. 106 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and a motion to recommit on each measure. The resolution further provides that H. Res. 668 and H. Res. 605 are adopted, and H. Res. 598 is laid on the table.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 672. (consideration: CR H3796-3818; text: CR H3799-3807)
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 672 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4553, H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105 and H.J. Res. 106. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4553 under a structured rule, and H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105, and H.J. Res. 106 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and a motion to recommit on each measure. The resolution further provides that H. Res. 668 and H. Res. 605 are adopted, and H. Res. 598 is laid on the table.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 173.
- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-213, by Mr. Fleischmann.
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 156.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 213 (Roll no. 239).
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 213 (Roll no. 239).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 218 (Roll no. 238).
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 672 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4553, H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105 and H.J. Res. 106. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4553 under a structured rule, and H.J. Res. 104, H.J. Res. 105, and H.J. Res. 106 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and a motion to recommit on each measure. The resolution further provides that H. Res. 668 and H. Res. 605 are adopted, and H. Res. 598 is laid on the table.
- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-213, by Mr. Fleischmann.
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Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 4553, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-4553. Congress.gov record as of Jul 18, 2026.