Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | January 19 - January 23, 2026

The President enacted the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R.6938), originally led through Congress by Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.). Appropriations for energy and water development include those for flood risk mitigation, hurricane damage mitigation, and long-term water availability projects. In addition to funding local wastewater, sewage, and irrigation projects, interior and environment appropriations will also fund renewable energy workforce training in Alaska, among other projects. 

Reps. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and John Mannion, John (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R.7197. The bill would amend the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (P.L.117-169) to improve access to home energy efficiency rebates. Check out EESI’s recent briefing to learn more about changes to the IRA’s energy efficiency incentives, and our Rapid Readout to learn how the ENERGY STAR program has bolstered home energy efficiency and energy bill savings.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), alongside 20 Democrat sponsors, introduced the Farm and Family Relief Act (H.R.7206) to deliver over $29 billion in economic assistance to family farmers affected by higher costs of living. To learn more about federal support for agricultural workers, check out EESI’s Farm Bill resources.

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