House Republicans have passed H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024. The legislation aims to increase funding for national security, energy security, and economic competitiveness, while addressing what Republicans perceive as excessive spending by progressive Democrats.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the allocation of $19.114 billion for the modernization of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile and related infrastructure. This funding will support the advancement of Columbia-class submarine reactor development and research and development for nuclear-powered warships. Additionally, $2.38 billion is allocated for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation efforts, which will help reduce the risk of hostile nations or terrorist groups obtaining nuclear devices.
The legislation takes several steps to rein in wasteful Washington spending. It rescinds $5.58 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and eliminates funding for unrelated climate change activities in the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, which includes electric vehicle procurement and the deployment of "climate cops" across the Corps, according to report by House Republicans Gov. Targeted reductions are made to applied energy programs that have already received substantial funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the IRA.
In addition to these provisions, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes several other key measures. It allows the lawful carry of firearms at Corps of Engineers sites in accordance with state and federal laws. The bill also terminates the Biden Administration's Waters of the United States rule, returning control of historically non-federally-jurisdictional waterways to the states. Furthermore, it provides regulatory certainty for water deliveries in California and prohibits the Department of Energy from issuing stringent energy conservation standards on distribution transformers. The legislation also prohibits the use of funds to promote or advance Critical Race Theory and prevents the implementation, administration, or enforcement of the Biden Administration's executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
This week, House Republicans passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations for FY24, delivering more than $34 million for dredging in North Carolina’s 3rd District alone. The bill demonstrates strong support for national security and aims to rein in wasteful spending.
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