Congressman Steve Womack, who represents Arkansas’s Third Congressional District, voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 4, 2025.
The bill allocates $57.3 billion in discretionary spending for various agencies and programs focused on national security, energy development, and economic competitiveness. Congressman Womack stated, “Energy security is national security. By unleashing American-made energy and critical mineral production, we can lower domestic energy costs while supporting our allies and countering foreign influence around the globe. At the same time, strengthening our national security also means investing in the modernization of our nuclear weapons arsenal, ensuring the United States remains the world leader in cutting-edge defense technology. This bill delivers on those priorities, and I’m proud the House was able to come together and pass it.”
Key provisions of the bill include increased funding for critical mineral research at the Department of Energy to expand production technologies. It also raises support for nuclear energy programs with $253 million directed toward the Advanced Reactors Demonstration Program.
The legislation reduces funding for green energy initiatives from previous years by $1.6 billion. Investments are enhanced for cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response efforts to protect the electric grid from cyberattacks and other disruptions.
State water infrastructure will receive support through $6.14 billion allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers for projects such as Beaver Lake. Additional funds are designated for flood and storm damage reduction activities benefiting communities like Northwest Arkansas.
The National Nuclear Security Administration receives significant funding with $20.66 billion earmarked for weapons activities and $1.98 billion for preventing nuclear proliferation.
Steve Womack has served in Congress since 2011 after succeeding John Boozman as representative of Arkansas’s 3rd district (https://womack.house.gov/). Born in Russellville in 1957, he currently lives in Rogers (https://womack.house.gov/biography/). He graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a BA in 1979.
A summary of the appropriations bill is available HERE.
The full text of the bill is available HERE.
