Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 2 - March 6, 2026

The House passed the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 (H.R.755), reintroduced by Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.). The bill would reconcile differences between the U.S. Department of Energy’s critical materials list and the U.S. Geological Survey’s critical minerals list, and increase the number of critical minerals and materials eligible for clean energy tax credits. Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) lead the Senate version of the bill (S.714). To learn more about these minerals, check out EESI’s issue brief.

The House passed the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R.7744). Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) introduced the bill, which funds national defense programs and initiatives, including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for the 2026 fiscal year. To learn more, check out EESI’s rapid readout and article on the future of FEMA. 

Reps. Brian Babin (R-Texas), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) introduced the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act (H.R.7813) to strengthen the country’s emergency alert coverage. Specifically, the bill would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to modernize and expand the NOAA Weather Radio network, which provides warnings for weather, natural disasters, and public safety hazards. 

Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Raphael Warnock (R-Ga.) introduced the Disaster Recovery Improvement Act (S.4022) to improve disaster aid for communities impacted by natural disasters. The bill would establish the interagency Disaster Recovery Improvement Task Force, which would work with local leaders to identify gaps in federal programs and develop recommendations to aid federal efforts to support community recovery.

To catch up on all of the recent environmental and energy legislation in Congress, read the pdf here.