Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-01-09

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026

EconomyClimateEnvironmentForeign PolicyDefenseChinaInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-01-09, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) delivered a floor speech titled "COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered climate policy, the environment. It referenced legislation including HR6938, HR4553.

Full Text

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E20] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026 ______ speech of HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, January 8, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, division B of H.R. 6938. This bipartisan agreement protects funding for Democratic priorities, reasserts Congress's power of the purse, and rejects Republicans' poison pill riders. Due to the perseverance of my colleagues, Ranking Members DeLauro and Kaptur, the legislation before us today provides a critical $2.4 billion increase over FY2025 to address rising energy costs for American families, strengthen our water infrastructure, and improve climate resilience. This bill represents a stark contrast to the dangerous proposal that passed the House in September. House Republicans previously advanced H.R. 4553, a fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water bill that would have devastated Minnesota families, Minnesota's clean energy economy, and advanced President Trump's attacks on clean energy. I voted against that harmful legislation, which would have raised energy costs and weakened our national security. The contrast is especially stark when it comes to programs that help vulnerable Minnesotans. Last year, House Republicans voted for a 44 percent cut to the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low- income households lower their utility bills by improving home energy efficiency. Thankfully, the bill before us today provides more than $3 million for this program which will help roughly 1,200 Minnesotans weatherize their homes each year, saving families about $372 annually on their energy bills. Our global competitors like China are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean-energy development. We must do the same. The bill before us today makes the United States competitive by investing $3 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs at the Department of Energy, rejecting President Trump and Congressional Republicans' crusade on clean energy. As more than 62,000 Minnesotans work in clean energy, I am glad to see that this bill protects Minnesota's clean energy economy. The clean energy sector in Minnesota has been growing five times faster than Minnesota's overall job growth and Federal investments in clean energy and energy efficiency will directly support these good-paying jobs. Since taking office, Trump has been jeopardizing clean-energy jobs in Minnesota by terminating clean-energy incentives in his so-called ``One Big Beautiful Bill,'' canceling grants, and illegally withholding funds from state, local and tribal governments. These actions are stalling clean-energy projects and eliminating high-wage jobs. We cannot afford to abandon these investments during a worsening climate crisis. American families are already struggling with high energy bills. But the need to develop our own homegrown clean and sustainable energy isn't just a matter of economic security; it's also about our national security. The Department of Defense considers climate change to be a top national security concern. Climate change is making nations around the world more unstable and less safe. It's also hurting our military readiness here at home, with sea-level rise and extreme weather flooding our bases. Permafrost thaw is making Alaskan runways unusable. Radar stations are at risk of falling into the sea. America can, and must, meet the new age frontiers of energy and water, and invest in our workers, protect our water, and power our future. I thank my colleagues for their overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill, and I urge the Senate to move with haste to get this legislation to the President's desk to be signed into law. We don't have the luxury of ignoring the very real effects of climate change happening around us--especially when they're affecting our lives and livelihoods and our national security. Future generations will pay the highest costs if we fail to act. As your representative, I will continue to fight for these critical investments because Minnesotans deserve better. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan agreement. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR4553, HR6938

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COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E20] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026 ______ speech of HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, January 8, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, division B of H.R. 6938. This bipartisan agreement protects funding for Democratic priorities, reasserts Congress's power of the purse, and rejects Republicans' poison pill riders. Due to the perseverance of my colleagues, Ranking Members DeLauro and Kaptur, the legislation before us today provides a critical $2.4 billion increase over FY2025 to address rising energy costs for American families, strengthen our water infrastructure, and improve climate resilience. This bill represents a stark contrast to the dangerous proposal that passed the House in September. House Republicans previously advanced H.R. 4553, a fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water bill that would have devastated Minnesota families, Minnesota's clean energy economy, and advanced President Trump's attacks on clean energy. I voted against that harmful legislation, which would have raised energy costs and weakened our national security. The contrast is especially stark when it comes to programs that help vulnerable Minnesotans. Last year, House Republicans voted for a 44 percent cut to the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low- income households lower their utility bills by improving home energy efficiency. Thankfully, the bill before us today provides more than $3 million for this program which will help roughly 1,200 Minnesotans weatherize their homes each year, saving families about $372 annually on their energy bills. Our global competitors like China are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean-energy development. We must do the same. The bill before us today makes the United States competitive by investing $3 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs at the Department of Energy, rejecting President Trump and Congressional Republicans' crusade on clean energy. As more than 62,000 Minnesotans work in clean energy, I am glad to see that this bill protects Minnesota's clean energy economy. The clean energy sector in Minnesota has been growing five times faster than Minnesota's overall job growth and Federal investments in clean energy and energy efficiency will directly support these good-paying jobs. Since taking office, Trump has been jeopardizing clean-energy jobs in Minnesota by terminating clean-energy incentives in his so-called ``One Big Beautiful Bill,'' canceling grants, and illegally withholding funds from state, local and tribal governments. These actions are stalling clean-energy projects and eliminating high-wage jobs. We cannot afford to abandon these investments during a worsening climate crisis. American families are already struggling with high energy bills. But the need to develop our own homegrown clean and sustainable energy isn't just a matter of economic security; it's also about our national security. The Department of Defense considers climate change to be a top national security concern. Climate change is making nations around the world more unstable and less safe. It's also hurting our military readiness here at home, with sea-level rise and extreme weather flooding our bases. Permafrost thaw is making Alaskan runways unusable. Radar stations are at risk of falling into the sea. America can, and must, meet the new age frontiers of energy and water, and invest in our workers, protect our water, and power our future. I thank my colleagues for their overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill, and I urge the Senate to move with haste to get this legislation to the President's desk to be signed into law. We don't have the luxury of ignoring the very real effects of climate change happening around us--especially when they're affecting our lives and livelihoods and our national security. Future generations will pay the highest costs if we fail to act. As your representative, I will continue to fight for these critical investments because Minnesotans deserve better. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan agreement. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR4553, HR6938