ENERGY EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP ACT

On 2026-06-29, Representative Laurel M. Lee (R-FL-15) delivered a floor speech titled "ENERGY EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP ACT" in the House.

ENERGY EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4297-H4299] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ENERGY EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP ACT Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7258) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: [[Page H4298]] H.R. 7258 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Emergency Leadership Act''. SEC. 2. FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 203 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7133(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(12) Energy emergency and energy security functions, including-- ``(A) responsibilities with respect to energy infrastructure, security and resilience, emerging threats, cybersecurity, supply, and emergency planning and preparedness, coordination, response, and restoration, as appropriate; and ``(B) upon request of a State, local, or Tribal government or energy sector entity, and in coordination with other Federal agencies as appropriate, provision of technical assistance and support to protect against, detect, and respond to energy security threats, risks, and incidents.''. (b) Coordination.--The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that the functions of the Secretary described in section 203(a)(12) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (as added by this Act) are performed in coordination with relevant Federal agencies. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky. General Leave Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 7258. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky? There was no objection. Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, sponsored by my colleague Ms. Lee of Florida. The bill was considered and reported favorably by the committee on a unanimous, bipartisan vote because it will strengthen the Department of Energy's important energy emergency mission. The bill requires that the well-established energy emergency and cybersecurity functions at DOE are organized under the leadership of an Assistant Secretary, which is important to maintaining a high level of leadership in DOE's emergency response and cybersecurity functions. The Energy Emergency Leadership Act will ensure the Department has the focused and accountable leadership to more fully protect the public from all the hazards to the energy system, natural or man-made, including emerging threats from our foreign adversaries to the Nation's electric grid. A vote for H.R. 7258 is a vote for ensuring strong leadership during energy emergencies for the benefit of public safety and welfare and for stronger cybersecurity protections in our electricity systems. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1620 Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is becoming increasingly obvious that our energy system faces numerous threats, whether it is from skyrocketing demand, climate change, or cyberattacks, and it is undeniable that our systems need support to continue delivering reliable and affordable power for Americans. H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, sponsored by Representative Lee of Florida and Representative Landsman, is an important bill. It amends the Department of Energy Organization Act. This bill elevates emergency response and cybersecurity responsibilities to the level of Assistant Secretary at DOE. It effectively ensures that the Director of DOE's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, or CESER, goes through Senate confirmation. As the grid becomes increasingly complex and faces a host of new challenges, it is critical that ensuring the security of the grid is managed by top officials. DOE already plays an important role in ensuring rapid response to an energy emergency. The subject matter and sector expertise concentrated at DOE is vital for ensuring that threats to the grid are handled quickly and appropriately. H.R. 7258 clarifies in statute the emergency response responsibilities that are assigned to an Assistant Secretary. This ensures that there will be a consistent and effective leader and coordinator at DOE. Finally, I also note that while this bill is focused on the leadership of DOE offices, the reality is the Department's ability to respond to threats depends on its capable career staff. The Trump administration has devastated the Department of Energy's professional staff across the board, and I don't want that to be lost in this discussion about how to enhance its response capabilities. Nevertheless, I encourage everyone to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee), my good friend and the author of this legislation. Ms. LEE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act. I thank Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Castor for their leadership in moving this bill through committee, and also my colleague Representative Landsman for co-leading this bill with me. This legislation passed out of the Subcommittee on Energy unanimously because both Republicans and Democrats on the Committee recognized how critical it is to have accountable leadership protecting our electric grid. Today, the United States is experiencing record energy demand, driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, renewed domestic manufacturing, and widespread electrification across our economy. Meeting that demand safely requires not only robust and reliable generation but also a secure and resilient grid to deliver it. At the same time, the threats to that grid have never been more serious. State-sponsored actors like Volt Typhoon are actively targeting American critical infrastructure. Physical attacks on grid infrastructure are also on the rise. For those of us from Florida, energy emergencies are not theoretical. They are a constant reality. After major hurricanes, a large number of Floridians lose power, and rapid Federal coordination becomes a serious matter of public safety. H.R. 7258 addresses this directly. It ensures that the Department of Energy's emergency and cybersecurity responsibilities are led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary, a clear, accountable leader whose role is codified in statute, not left to chance. This is a practical, bipartisan solution that will help our Federal response and our agencies keep pace with the reality of today's threats. This bill ensures that when an energy emergency strikes, a designated Federal official can cut through bureaucratic barriers, coordinate a clear response, and help keep the lights on for American families. I appreciate the cooperation of Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Castor, and all of my colleagues in working together on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7258. Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for working together. I really appreciate working together with both my friends from Florida, both from the Tampa area. It is important to have the right leadership in the right place to make sure we protect ourselves at this vulnerable time. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7258, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7258. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. [[Page H4299]] ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR7258, HR7258