FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2025
CONTACT: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, H.R. 4553.
“U.S. national security, energy dominance, economic strength, robust infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility are the key components of the House’s Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act,” said Congressman Fulcher.
“I voted yes on this legislation, which prioritizes domestic critical mining for materials and minerals, ensuring America’s supply chains are not reliant on foreign adversaries for the building blocks that make up today’s advanced technology,” Congressman Fulcher added. “Additionally, H.R. 4553 will strengthen U.S. energy independence by tapping into the power of geothermal—a natural resource Idaho has been successful in utilizing for over a century—and prioritizes America first by making key investments into the modernization of our military capabilities, nuclear stockpiles, and dams, storage, and other water infrastructure.”
Bill Highlights
This legislation prioritizes funding for agencies and programs that safeguard U.S. national security, unleash American energy dominance, and advance economic competitiveness by:
- Supporting one of the largest investments focused on mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction in decades, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- Increasing investments to develop new baseload geothermal energy sources to capitalize on our vast domestic resources.
- Maintaining funding for cybersecurity efforts that enable a resilient, reliable, and secure electric grid.
- Prohibiting access to U.S. nuclear weapons production facilities by citizens of China and Russia.
- Banning the purchase of technology and telecommunications equipment from China and other adversaries.
- Facilitating the efficient transport of goods and commodities through improvements and maintenance of America’s ports and waterways.
About Russ Fulcher
Russ Fulcher is a fourth-generation Idahoan, grew up on a dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho. He was elected to Congress to represent Idaho's first congressional district in 2019 after serving in the Idaho State Senate for ten years. Visit https://fulcher.house.gov/ for more information or to find contact info.
