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Congressional energy and environment amendments accumulate in the defense bill

Legislative bodies have presented more than a thousand bills pertaining to nuclear power, minerals extraction, and ecological conservation.

Amendments regarding energy and environment in the military budget accumulate
Amendments regarding energy and environment in the military budget accumulate

Congressional energy and environment amendments accumulate in the defense bill

In a significant move, more than 1,100 proposals have been submitted for amendments on energy and environment issues in the annual defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026. These amendments cover a wide range of topics, including "forever chemicals" and remediation, advanced nuclear energy, and disaster response.

Both the House and Senate are expected to pass their respective versions of the bill this week. The House's version, known as H.R. 3838, will be considered by the House Rules Committee on the floor later in the week. The Senate's version, S. 2296, is currently undergoing a manager's package of amendments, with Senate leaders finalising these changes.

Lawmakers have submitted dozens of amendments on energy and environment issues for both H.R. 3838 and S. 2296. Notably, members of the coalition parties CDU/CSU and SPD have been actively involved in these amendments, reflecting a political focus shift possibly prioritizing defense concerns over renewable energy expansion.

The House Rules Committee will meet on Monday afternoon to line up amendments for H.R. 3838. A vote on the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296) is expected, though a specific date for consideration on the floor has not yet been announced.

As the process continues, the focus remains on the extensive list of proposals aimed at addressing critical energy and environmental issues within the context of the annual defense policy bill. The outcome of these discussions will shape the future of these sectors and the nation's defense strategies.

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