Houston Daily

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) announced his support for the fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act following a vote in the House of Representatives. The bill aims to address several aspects of U.S. energy policy, national security, and infrastructure.

McCaul stated, “After four years of the Biden administration hamstringing American energy, stifling our economy, and ceding national security ground to our adversaries, House Republicans and the Trump administration are getting this country back on track. Today's bill strengthens U.S. energy production, fuels job creation and economic growth, and leverages America's natural resources to reduce our reliance on other countries for critical minerals. I was proud to vote for this bill and secure a decisive victory not only for Texans, but for all Americans who want to see this nation prosper.”

Key provisions in the appropriations act include measures that would prohibit crude oil sales from strategic petroleum reserves to China’s Communist Party (CCP) and prevent Chinese and Russian citizens from accessing nuclear weapons facilities. The legislation also invests in mining technology and critical mineral extraction with the goal of reducing foreign dependency.

The act allocates full funding for small modular and advanced reactor demonstrations intended to help restore U.S. leadership in nuclear technology. It includes efforts to modernize nuclear weapons stockpiles as part of maintaining national defense capabilities.

Other components focus on improving ports and waterways across the United States to ensure efficient transport of goods and services, while preserving cybersecurity funding aimed at protecting data and infrastructure.

Michael McCaul has maintained a strong electoral record in Texas’s 10th Congressional District over recent election cycles. In 2024, he won against Theresa Boisseau with 63.6% of the vote; previous victories include defeating Linda Nuno in 2022 with 63.3%, Mike Siegel in both 2020 (52.5%) and 2018 (51.1%), Tawana Walter-Cadien in both 2016 (57.3%) and 2014 (62.2%).