This week, the House will consider a series of transportation and infrastructure measures, including legislation related to grain standards, aviation safety, and river basin commissions. Lawmakers will also take up several that address various aspects of transportation and supply chain efficiency. Later in the week, the House will turn to major national security and immigration legislation, including the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Stop Illegal Entry Act.

Both chambers are moving forward with fiscal year 2026 spending bills as the September 30 government funding deadline approaches. The House narrowly passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act (H.R. 4553) last week by a single vote. The $57.3 billion measure includes lower funding levels than FY2025.

The House Appropriations Committee will mark up its Labor-HHS-Education bill on Tuesday, proposing $184.5 billion in discretionary funding while cutting several programs. This funding bill includes a $10 million increase to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program, however. The fact that both House and Senate appropriators have now proposed LIHEAP increases despite the administration's request that the program be terminated is a testament to the power of our industry's advocacy. NEFI is monitoring developments closely and will keep members up to date.

Lawmakers are also discussing a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a shutdown, potentially pairing it with the least controversial spending bills. A CR is a temporary measure that usually maintains existing government funding levels without enacting new policy changes.

Energy policy remains a flashpoint in Washington. According to an August report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricity prices have risen at twice the rate of inflation over the past year, fueling partisan debate. See our lead story for more.

Committee Hearings of Interest this week (all times Eastern):

• House Committee on Appropriations, Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education appropriations bill markup, which includes LIHEAP funding, at 11:00 AM on Tuesday (details here)

• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies at 2:00 PM on Tuesday (details here)

• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Exploring the Economic Potential of the Golden Age of American Energy Dominance at 2:15 PM on Tuesday (details here)

• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space and Science Hearings to examine America's AI action plan at 10:00 AM on Wednesday (details here)