Review – HR 4553 Introduced – FY 2026 EWR Spending

Back in July Rep Fleischmann introduced HR 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026. The House Appropriations Committee published their Report on the bill. There is a single cybersecurity mention in the bill. The Report contains a number of cybersecurity, chemical and counter unmanned aircraft systems discussion.

This bill is similar to HR 8997 that was introduced by Rep Fleischmann (R,TN) in July of 2024. The House Appropriations Committee published their Report on the bill and consideration of the bill began in the House, but no final vote was ever taken.

Moving Forward

The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow afternoon to formulate the rule for the consideration of HR 4553. The Rules Committee will determine which of the 82 amendments proposed to date will be considered during the consideration of the bill on the floor of the House.

The House is scheduled to consider the bill under that rule on Wednesday or Thursday. Even if this bill is passed in the House this week, it would be unlikely to be considered in the Senate before the end of the month. There is too much on the Senate’s plate and the focus is going to be on crafting a passable continuing resolution.

Commentary

Last year the House leadership could not get HR 8997 to a final vote in the House. The radical right would not support the bill because it did not cut spending enough. It does not look like enough spending changes were made to this bill to change that opposition. The difference this year is that the President is looking for a spending bill win leading up to the negotiations on a CR to keep the government operating past September   30^th. Failure to pass this bill will weaken the Republican’s discussion position with respect to the Democrats.

 

For more details about the cybersecurity, chemical, and cUAS provisions of this bill, as well as a discussion about the Democratic opposition, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-4553-introduced-fy-2026-ewr-spending - subscription required.