Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | September 1 - September 5, 2025

The House passed the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R.4553). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Charles Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), allocates $57.3 billion in discretionary funding–$766.4 million less than 2025’s appropriations. It prioritizes funding that boosts national security, energy dominance, and economic competitiveness. As the fiscal year 2026 budget process continues, follow along with the help of EESI’s briefing, Understanding the Budget, Reconciliation, and Appropriations.

Reps. Kevin Mullen (D-Calif.), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Randy Weber Sr. (R-Texas) introduced the Resilient Emergency Alert Communications and Training (REACT) Act (H.R.5154) to improve alert and warning systems. Specifically, the bill would boost Federal Emergency Management Agency’s federal resource outreach and provide local emergency officials with $30 million annually to increase their testing, training, and public education of alert systems. 

Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), and Ben Luján (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Headwaters Protection Act (S.2701) to support the country’s forests and watersheds. The bill, if passed, would increase and expand funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s Water Source Protection Program and the Watershed Condition Framework, which together manage U.S. forests for watershed health and provide communities with clean drinking water. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and David Valadao (R-Calif.) reintroduced the bill’s House companion (H.R.605) in January.

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