New Speaker leads House in passing first spending bill.
The House of Representatives Passes Bill to Fund Energy and Water Initiatives
The House of Representatives made a significant move on Oct. 26 by passing a bill to fund energy and water agenda items. This marks the first bill passed under the leadership of new Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
The appropriations bill was approved with a vote of 210-199, strictly along party lines.
This is the third appropriations bill passed by the House, following the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and Defense appropriations bills.
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies measure allocates $57.958 billion toward various initiatives. This amount falls short by nearly $2 billion compared to the Biden administration’s request.
The bill includes:
- $19.114 billion for the continued modernization of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure
- $1.946 billion for Naval Reactors to support the operational nuclear fleet, Columbia-class submarine reactor development, and research and development for current and future generations of nuclear-powered warships
- $2.38 billion for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation to reduce the danger of hostile nations or terrorist groups acquiring nuclear devices, radiological dispersal devices, weapons-usable material, and nuclear expertise
The measure also repeals $5.58 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act, which included green energy policies that critics argued favored China.
Several amendments were added to the bill, including one that prohibits funding for the American Climate Corps, which opposes the Biden administration’s climate change agenda. However, many other amendments were rejected, such as those aiming to lower the salaries of senior administration officials, including Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, through the Holman Rule, a mechanism that allows Congress to reduce their salary to $1.
“My Energy and Water bill makes America safer, more energy secure, and increases our global economic competitiveness,” posted Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) on X, formerly Twitter. Mr. Fleischmann serves as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Water.
Nevertheless, the bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to face significant opposition.
In order to pass all 12 appropriations bills, the House still needs to pass nine more. Government funding is set to expire on Nov. 17, following a 45-day continuing resolution that was passed last month to maintain current funding levels. This resolution ultimately led to the removal of Mr. Johnson’s predecessor, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
The energy bill is not the first one passed by the GOP-controlled House. Earlier this year, the House passed a bill that aimed to achieve energy independence for the United States. However, this bill did not progress in the Senate. Republicans and conservatives have criticized the Biden administration for not fully utilizing American energy resources, such as oil, and instead relying on alternative sources and importing oil from countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, the latter of which had its energy sanctions relaxed by the current administration.
How will the $19.114 billion allocation for the modernization of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure contribute to ensuring safety and security?
Members of Congress or redirect funding to different energy and water projects.
The passage of this bill is a significant step towards advancing energy and water initiatives in the United States. By allocating $57.958 billion, the House of Representatives demonstrates its commitment to addressing critical issues related to energy and water resources. However, it is worth noting that this funding falls short of the Biden administration’s request by nearly $2 billion.
One of the key allocations in the bill is $19.114 billion for the modernization of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure. This funding will support ongoing efforts to ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of the country’s nuclear arsenal. Additionally, $1.946 billion is dedicated to Naval Reactors, which will be utilized to support the operational nuclear fleet, develop the Columbia-class submarine reactor, and invest in research and development for future nuclear-powered warships.
In recognition of the threat posed by nuclear proliferation, the bill also designates $2.38 billion for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. This funding aims to reduce the risk of hostile nations or terrorist groups obtaining nuclear devices, weapons-usable material, and nuclear expertise. By actively working to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, the United States reaffirms its commitment to global security.
Furthermore, the bill repeals $5.58 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act, which included green energy policies that critics argued favored China. This repeal indicates a shift in policy priorities and a desire to promote domestic energy solutions that benefit the United States.
While the bill contains several positive provisions, it is important to mention the amendments that were included and those that were rejected. Specifically, an amendment prohibiting funding for the American Climate Corps, which opposes the Biden administration’s climate change agenda, was added to the bill. However, other amendments seeking to lower congressional salaries or redirect funding to alternative energy and water projects were rejected.
The House of Representatives’ passage of this bill is a significant accomplishment and showcases the commitment of its members to address energy and water issues
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