Full Committee Markup

Good morning. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will now come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time pursuant to Committee Rule 2F and the House Rule 11, recorded votes may be postponed. Today we meet to consider H.R. 8748, The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026, H.R.

8790, The Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, and H.R. 7129, The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act. I now recognize myself for an opening statement.

Good morning and thank you all for being here for today's markup. This morning, the committee will consider 3 pieces of legislation focusing on advancing American research, innovation, infrastructure, and energy capabilities that are critical to our nation's future. First, we will consider the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026. This legislation reauthorizes and modernizes Department of Transportation research and technology programs through fiscal year 2031. The bill addresses a broad range of transportation research priorities, including transportation statistics modernization, university transportation research programs, rail safety research, reclaimed asphalt materials, and emerging roadway safety issues such as high-intensity LED headlamps.

It also works to improve coordination of transportation data and research activities across the department to help ensure more efficient and effective use of federal resources. Reliable transportation systems are essential to economic growth, public safety, and movement of people and goods across the country. Continued investment in research and development helps ensure the United States remains prepared prepared to meet the transportation challenges of the future. Next, the committee will consider the Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act. This bill builds on the Department of Energy's existing geothermal research efforts to support next-generation geothermal technologies, including enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal systems, and supercritical geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy has the potential to provide reliable American-made baseload power in regions of the country where traditional geothermal development was once thought impossible. Advancements in drilling, subsurface mapping, and related research are creating new opportunities to expand this energy source while reinforcing domestic energy production and supporting critical mineral development. This legislation also improves coordination of geothermal research and data activities across the federal government, supports commercialization efforts, and promotes collaboration between the Department of Energy, national labs, universities, and the private sector. Finally, we will consider the Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act. This legislation reauthorizes research and development activities related to hydropower and marine energy technologies.

The bill includes updates related to workforce development, advanced manufacturing, grid resilience, marine energy research, and hydropower operations. It also seeks to improve coordination between federal agencies, universities, industries, and regional research centers to support continued innovation in water power technologies. Taken together, these bills reflect the broad scope of this committee's jurisdiction and our responsibility to support scientific research and technological advancement that strengthen America's economy, infrastructure, energy system, and long-term competitiveness. I want to say how much I appreciate the bipartisan work that has gone into developing these measures, and I welcome thoughtful amendments as we work to ensure each bill is as strong and effective as possible. And I would now like to recognize the ranking member for 5 minutes, Ms. Lofgren, for her opening statement.

Good morning, Chairman Babin, and thank you for holding today's markup. I'd like to commend the chairman for his continued commitment to bipartisanship, and I enthusiastically support all 3 bills before us today. I'm also happy to see the first Democratic member-led bill on the docket. Since June of last year. However, I do remain concerned about how few Democratic member-led bills have been brought up before the committee when we're now nearly three-quarters of the way through the 119th Congress.

This is only the fourth Democratic member-led bill we are considering. Uh, we have not enjoyed the same degree of reciprocity that has been the norm in this committee. I'm also concerned uh, that many Democratic proposals have languished without feedback or co-sponsors when, uh, our staff and members have worked diligently and collaboratively all Congress to get good bipartisan agreement on most of the proposals that Republican members have sent our way for consideration. By my staff's estimate, at least 7 draft bills have languished for a month or longer some of them all Congress, including some of my own bills. Many other bipartisan bills have been introduced but not scheduled for markup.

So I hope, Mr. Chairman, you can understand our frustration. With that said, I will now move to discuss the bills before us. The first bill, of course, is the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act, sponsored by Representatives Fong and Sykes. This bill authorizes Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Demonstration programs at the Department of Transportation and represents the Science Committee's contribution to the larger surface transportation reauthorization being led by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Specifically, the bill makes important updates to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, University Transportation Centers, the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program and Cooperative Rail Research Programs.

I also want to note that this bill will direct research into headlight brightness, an issue I think we can all agree is worth looking into. There are a number of thoughtful and intelligent amendments on the roster that I plan to support, but before I move on, I would like to direct special thanks to a former tech fellow with the Democratic staff, Kevin Lee, who put a lot of time and effort into this bill. I would also like to note that the research into reuse of asphalt is a win-win-win. A win for the private sector that can more affordably pave with reused asphalt, a win for the environment because reuse of asphalt prevents dumping as well as additional generation of this and also win for localities who can spend less money. And having research as to its viability will help everybody have certainty about moving forward.

The next bill on the roster is an expansion of one we originally considered last Congress. It's the Next Generation Geothermal Research Development Act, sponsored by Representatives Harrigan and Salinas. The purpose of this bill is to unlock geothermal energy resources from geographic restraints and supercharge its potential output. Advances in advanced geothermal, closed-loop geothermal, and geothermal systems operating in supercritical conditions could result in geothermal technologies being deployed virtually anywhere in the United States, producing an estimated 90 gigawatts of electricity. As compared with the current 16 gigawatts worldwide, the possibilities are remarkable and the opportunity undeniable.

The United States is facing twin crises of affordability and climate change. The proliferation of carbon-free geothermal energy could be employed to ameliorate this situation instead of blindly exacerbating it, which seems to be the approach of the current administration. I want to thank Representatives Harrigan and Salinas for their collaborative efforts on this important bill. The last bill, of course, is the Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Representatives Bonamici and Begich. Hydropower is one of the oldest forms of renewable energy.

In addition to providing carbon-free electricity, it plays a critical role in providing low-cost energy, maintaining grid reliability, and supporting energy storage. However, much of the nation's hydropower infrastructure is aging, and emerging technologies such as marine energy and pump storage remain underdeveloped despite their significant potential to strengthen energy reliance and reliability. The bill provides updated guidance for DOE's research, development, demonstration, and commercialization programs in hydropower, marine energy, and pump storage technologies. I want to thank the sponsors for their leadership on this bill. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I thank you and yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Other members are invited to submit opening statements into the record. I would like to now take a point of privilege and take just a moment to recognize the passing of our former member of this committee, Mr. Bill Posey from Florida. Who represented the Space Coast of Florida for many, many, many years. He served on this committee for all those years as well.

He was a dear friend. He was a mentor to me. His wife, Katie, and my wife were very, very best of friends. And as a matter of fact, they lived right across the hall from us for the first 4 or 5 terms that I have served here in the House. And so you can imagine we were always borrowing from each other for milk or whatever.

And I'll always cherish the time that we spent with him, not only here in D.C., but down in his district as well. He had a wonderful district. Everything he represented there was what we're all about in this committee. He will be deeply missed, and our prayers are with him and Katie and his two daughters and, uh, his, his, the rest of his family. So we, uh, we just want to, uh, just express our sense of loss in this, this good man who sat right here for many years.

So now we'll go on. Mr. Chairman, if I may just say, thank you for bringing that to our attention, and the committee Democrats join you in mourning his loss and thanking his family for allowing him to serve and be away from them for these many years as a very productive member of our committee. And with that, we yield back. Yes, ma'am. Thank you so very much.

Okay. Consideration of H.R. 8748. Um, pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8748, The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026.

Will the clerk report the bill? H.R. 8748, Offered by Mr. Fong of California. Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak?

Mr. Fong, you are now recognized. The gentleman from California. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 8748, The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026.

I want to thank, uh, Representative Sykes for her partnership. America's transportation system is entering a new era. From emerging vehicle technologies to growing infrastructure demands, the challenges we face are evolving rapidly, and Congress must ensure our policies evolve with them. If we want safer roads, stronger supply chains, and infrastructure built to last, we must invest in innovation, research, and better data-driven decision-making. This bipartisan legislation keeps the Department of Transportation focused on the future by reauthorizing critical research and development programs and improving coordination across the department's research, technology, and data initiatives.

It strengthens partnerships with universities, researchers, and innovators to help develop smarter transportation solutions for the challenges ahead. The bill also addresses emerging safety concerns, including studying the impacts of new vehicle lighting technologies while advancing research into stronger, more durable road and rail materials that can better withstand the demands of the modern economy. America has always led the world by building, innovating, and investing in the future. This bill helps ensure our transportation system remains safe, resilient, and globally competitive for generations to come. I urge my colleagues to support this common-sense, forward-looking legislation, and I yield back.

The gentleman yields. Now I'd like to recognize the gentlewoman from Ohio, Ms. Sykes. Thank you, Chairman Babin and Ranking Member, for holding today's markup. I am pleased to be the Democratic co-lead for H.R. 8748, The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026.

And I would also like to thank my co-lead, Representative Fong, for his partnership on this legislation. Everyday Americans across the nation depend on transportation infrastructure to get to school and work, essential goods and services, and connect with our friends and family. Whether we live in rural, suburban, or urban communities, whether we depend on a car or public transportation, we can all relate to the woes of outdated and aging transportation infrastructure. Even while we invest in repairing current infrastructure, we must also research in the development and research to innovate on the technologies and systems that will make transportation safer, more equitable, more efficient, and more sustainable, sustainable well into the future. And we must do so in partnership with state governments, universities, labor unions, the private sector, and the many other non-federal stakeholders in our transportation system.

The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act authorizes the Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Demonstration programs through fiscal year 2031. The legislation supports long-term high-risk renovation across many modes of surface transportation infrastructure. Infrastructure innovation. It ensures funding is available to all tiers of the University Transportation Centers program and other critical transportation and innovation programs. It addresses coordination and privacy challenges with data collection and statistical analysis conducted across the Department of Transportation, and it ensures we are tackling emerging opportunities and challenges in transportation, including the promotion of reclaimed pavement and headlight brightness.

This legislation also takes important steps to advance safety across our transportation system, including— and one that is especially important to me and the people of Ohio, and that is rail safety. It has been over 3 years since the tragic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and Congress has yet to pass a single reform or a piece of legislation to address the concerns stemming from this derailment, although that might change this week. Fingers crossed, at least in the Transportation Committee. H.R. 8748 Would take a small step forward by reauthorizing the Rail Cooperative Research Program, which conducts applied research on problems important to freight, inner city, and commuter rail operators.

The bill directly— this bill directs the research program to tackle the challenges related to freight rail safety and transportation of hazardous materials to prevent the next East Palestine tragedy before it happens. And from the many people who I have met on the ground in East Palestine, one of their primary concerns was making sure that their tragic issues were not done in vain and that we were doing what we could to prevent this from ever happening in another American city. So I'm very grateful to be able to help deliver on that promise. While research is important, I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation. I call on my colleagues to continue to support passing broader rail safety reform, corporate accountability, and legislation to protect labor and public interest representation in safety decision-making.

I have introduced the bipartisan legislation to address these issues and more, including the Reducing Accidents in Locomotive Act, also known as the RAIL Act, and welcome anyone who would like to join us in moving it forward. We are also considering the Surface Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure Committee, and I was pleased to see several provisions on rail safety included, and I look forward to strengthening these in the Transportation and Infrastructure Markup tomorrow. With respect to what we can achieve here on the Science Committee, I thank Representative Fogg and Chairman and Ranking— and the Chairman and Ranking Member for working with me to ensure rail safety is included in this bill where we are— that we are considering today. These and other investments in transportation research, development, and demonstration in this legislation are necessary to support a safe, resilient, equitable, and sustainable transportation future. As a member of both the Science, Space, and Technology and Transportation Infrastructure Committees, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both committees to advance the priorities outlined for this bill for transportation innovation.

And finally, I'd like to thank my colleagues from both sides for your very thoughtful and thoughtful amendments that were— that we will consider today that will only improve the underlying bill and the goals and purpose of this legislation. Thank you again. And I hope that everyone is willing to support the amendments and the bill. And I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back.

If there is no further discussion on the underlying bill, we will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Obernolte of California. The clerk shall report Obernolte Amendment 066. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Mr. Obernolte of California.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Obernolte of California for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. We all know that electric vehicle technology is evolving extremely rapidly, but unfortunately our safety protocols have not kept pace with this evolution. This poses a unique challenge to our first responders who are used to dealing with traditional combustion engine vehicles.

For EVs, batteries are often damaged in accidents, which exposes the passengers and emergency personnel to hazardous chemicals, electric shocks, and battery fires. These fires are not only unusually hot, but they also can spontaneously reignite hours after they are extinguished. And I think every first responder has experienced that. EVs bring new opportunities from green transit to lowering emissions, but they also present new dangers for first responders to tackle. As more Americans transition to EVs, it is essential that we give firefighters and other emergency personnel the tools that they need to keep people out of harm's way.

This amendment does just that. It takes the first steps for helping emergency responders prepare for EV fires by directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Electric Vehicle Fire Response Working Group to review and establish guidance and best practices for responding to electric vehicle fires. This multidisciplinary working group will be comprised of experts directly involved in roadside EV fire response, including towing and recovery professionals who are frequently directed to clear EVs from active roadways following fires or crashes, fire service and emergency response personnel, including both career and volunteer responders, research, training, and standards organizations with expertise in EV fire risks and responses, federal safety agencies, and manufacturers of electric vehicles and EV batteries. The effort will represent a coordinated, expert-driven federal effort to improve roadside EV fire response, strengthen responder safety, and ensure that best practices keep pace with rapidly changing vehicle technologies amid increased EV adoption. As many of my colleagues know on this dais, There is a lack of standard safety protocol for first responders when extinguishing electric vehicle fires, which creates unnecessary risk of injury and long-term health effects.

Today, data and guidance on this topic is fragmented and inconsistent, with best practices very widely, uh, varying across jurisdictions and lessons learned from incidents often not systematically shared between jurisdictions. Tow and recovery operators, as well as first responders, face heightened risks without consistent, nationally informed guidance to ensure safe operations of the impacted vehicles. Congress can close these gaps by creating a central forum for collaboration, information sharing, and continuous improvement without imposing mandates of new requirements on manufacturers, states, and local responders. My amendment and the Electric Vehicle Fire Response Working Group will bring together the experts who are on the front lines, from tow and recovery operators to first responders, to develop clear, consistent guidance that will keep them safe. By improving coordination and sharing best practices, we can better protect those who respond to these dangerous incidents while ensuring our infrastructure adapts to these new emerging technologies.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Gentleman yields back. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Mr. Olbenoti for his— this is a good amendment. Electric vehicles have a lot of great benefits, but the roadside incidents involving vehicle fires are, as he's noted, very dangerous.

And this amendment would establish a working group to support tracking those incidents and establish best practices and guidance. And this would really improve our understanding of the current state of roadside EV fires and enable us to more efficiently communicate about best practices to keep our emergency responders and the public safe. So we support this amendment. I encourage the committee to do so, and I yield back. The woman yields back.

Is there any further discussion on the amendment?

Okay, if there is no further discussion on the amendment, the question is on adoption of Obernolte Amendment 066. All those in favor say All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Reilly of New York. The clerk shall report Reilly Amendment 055. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Mr. Reilly of New York. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Reilly of New York for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it. So NAFTA was a disaster across upstate New York, and letting China into the WTO was one of the dumbest things that politicians ever did. And we saw it across my district as I was growing up.

We had plants closed down, jobs shipped overseas where the labor was cheaper and the profits were higher. And when you hollow out an industrial base like that just to make a buck, it's no wonder that you start to fall behind adversaries like China when it comes to our manufacturing capacity. So when I came to Congress, I said I'd work with anyone from any party to bring good manufacturing jobs home, which we need to do for national security and also to rebuild the middle class in this country. And that's what we're working to do in upstate New York. I was proud to work with some of my colleagues here across the aisle to restore funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Which provides support to small and mid-sized manufacturers. I worked across the aisle on the MATCH Act to stop exporting advanced semiconductors to China. Recently worked with my colleagues across the aisle to secure $5 million in defense funding for Menlo's Advanced Power Distribution Systems for naval platforms, hoping we can bring some good manufacturing jobs to Tompkins County. And earlier this month, I joined my neighbors at BAE at the Huron campus in Endicott to cut the ribbon on a new state-of-the-art factory that is going to employ over 130 people in good-paying jobs, making the most high-tech and cutting-edge electric propulsion systems for transit and aviation. But to do this work well, we need a pipeline of trained workers.

As transit agencies adopt electric propulsion systems, vehicle electrification, predictive maintenance technologies, and advanced cybersecurity tools, We need technicians and operators trained to maintain and operate these next-generation fleets. BAE is already doing this with Binghamton University and BOCES, creating technical pipelines to prepare students for good jobs that need to be filled. And my amendment supports those efforts by directing the Federal Transit Administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen America's transit workforce. And prepare workers for the technologies shaping the future of transit. FTA will look at how we can better leverage existing workforce development resources, including university transportation centers and public-private training partnerships, to build that talent pipeline.

And this amendment is especially important for smaller and rural transit systems so they can successfully deploy and maintain advanced transit technologies as well. So I urge all my colleagues, uh, to support this amendment so we can strengthen America's transit workforce. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. The gentleman yields back.

Is there further discussion on this amendment? If there is no further discussion on the amendment, the question is on adoption of Riley Amendment 055. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

Next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Sykes of Ohio. The clerk shall report Sykes Amendment 116. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Ms. Sykes of Ohio. Thank you.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Sykes of Ohio for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. You may have heard the phrase that Ohio is the heart of it all, and our highway system highlights this perfectly.

We are within a day's drive of 60% of the United States and Canadian populations. In 2022 alone, vehicles traveled more than 110,000 miles through Ohio, making us the 7th in the nation for miles traveled and number 1 in the Midwest. Whether it's coming home, coming to visit, or enjoying a drive through our state, I am committed to ensuring that our roadways are safe for every single person. And while we take great pride in this distinguished— these distinguished statistics— excuse me— there's also a dark side. Tragically, Ohio ranks among the top 10 states for the number of calls made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Nationally, roadway vehicles are the most common form of transportation for trafficking victims. Many states, including Ohio, recognize the importance of combating trafficking on our roadways. But there is still a lot we don't know about human trafficking and much more to be done. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, directed the Department of Transportation to convene experts and conduct a study every 3 years on human trafficking. One of the recommendations from the report is for the Transportation Research Board to increase research on human trafficking, including the impact on underrepresented and understudied industries and how we can better leverage and harmonize existing data collection.

My amendment would codify this recommendation, directing the Department of Transportation to expand the scope and scale of human trafficking research identify gaps in existing human trafficking research, and identify ways in which we can streamline the data collection process. Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified over 200,000 victims nationwide, and there are likely many more. Understanding how trafficking— how traffickers are moving their victims is essential to preventing and stopping human trafficking. As a representative from the great state of Ohio, I want to be a part of the solution, and I am I'm glad that this amendment will help add a piece to that puzzle. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this amendment so we can create a safer transportation system for all.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Any further discussion on this amendment?

Hearing none, the question is on adoption of Sykes Amendment 116. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, ayes have it.

The amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Webster of Florida. The clerk shall report Webster Amendment 037. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Mr. Webster of Florida. Thank you.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Webster of Florida for 5 minutes to explain. On the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And, uh, the amendment directs the Department of Transportation to study and develop a strategy to modernize digital infrastructure used in transportation planning, engineering, and regulatory reform.

By promoting interoperable, vendor-neutral digital systems, agencies can reduce delays in projects, reviews, and improve coordination. It will also assure congressional oversight of digital infrastructure and modernization efforts. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back. Mr.

Chairman? Thank you very much. Gentleman yields back. Any further discussion on the amendment? Mr. Chairman?

Yes, ma'am. I'd just like to thank Mr. Weber for this amendment. I think the creation of a study to to analyze and improve the digital infrastructure is warranted, and I am confident that we will also include cybersecurity analysis, which is a large risk to our infrastructure. So I support the amendment and urge the committee to do so, and yield back. If there is no further— the gentlewoman yields back.

No further discussion on this amendment. The question is on the adoption of Webster Amendment 037. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no.

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Whitesides of California. Clerk shall report Whitesides Amendment 052. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Mr. Whitesides of California. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Whitesides of California for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. And Ranking Member Lofgren. I also want to thank the bill sponsors, Representatives Fong and Sykes, for working to ensure our surface transportation research keeps pace with modern innovation.

As someone whose career is focused on translating advanced engineering into real-world applications, I know innovation cannot stop at the laboratory door. The underlying bill correctly updates our transit systems, but we must continuously fuel the pipeline with next-generation ideas. My amendment explicitly tasks the Department of Transportation with carrying out long-term exploratory advanced research. The goal is simple: to develop transformational high-horizon solutions that improve the lifespan, efficiency, and safety of our nation's transit corridors. This amendment mandates that the department award these funds through open, competitive grants and cooperative agreements.

It brings the best minds to the table by opening these opportunities directly to universities and nonprofit research organizations. In the Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita, our aerospace and engineering talent is unmatched. The same advanced modeling, material science, and computer simulations used to build cutting-edge aircraft are exactly what we need to design the ultra-durable transit systems of tomorrow. This amendment strengthens federal labs like the Turner-Fairbank Center while opening a competitive pipeline for our local researchers, innovators, and universities to secure federal dollars and solve complex national infrastructure challenges. Crucially, this amendment instructs the Department of Transportation to collaborate directly with the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

We cannot afford to have federal agencies working in isolated vacuum chambers. We must leverage our premier national research hubs together. This is a common-sense addition prioritizing long-term safety, rigorous scientific competition, and regional economic potential. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. Gentleman yields back.

Is there any further discussion on the amendment? Hearing none. The question is on adoption of Whitesides Amendment 052. All those in favor say aye. Aye.

All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is an amendment offered by Representative Whitesides of California. Clerk shall report Whitesides Amendment 053. Amendment to H.R.

8748 Offered by Mr. Whitesides of California. Thank you. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Whitesides of California for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise to offer a common-sense amendment to tackle an escalating crisis hitting our national infrastructure: the devastating impact of wildfires.

Under current law, the Department of Transportation studies how our roads handle extreme events and weather, but remarkably, wildfires aren't on the list. Fire isn't just bad weather. It behaves differently, destroys infrastructure differently, and demands unique engineering solutions. We can't protect our communities if federal research treats wildfires like a secondary afterthought. This amendment fixes that blind spot.

It explicitly adds wildfire as a distinct category within the DOT's Highway R&D program. By naming this threat directly, we open the door for the DOT to invest in next-generation life-saving technologies. We're talking about developing fireproof coatings so intense heat doesn't warp and collapse our bridges, and embedding tough heat-resistant sensors right into the asphalt to beam live danger alerts straight to first responders. This isn't theoretical for my constituents in California's 27th District. We know this threat firsthand.

Just last year, in January 2025, devastating fires upended lives and compromised our local transit safety. And as many people know, there are fires right now in Southern California that are threatening our communities. Across California, wildfires routinely shut down critical mountain corridors, stranding families and blocking first responders. With this amendment, we can build the predictive AI needed to dynamically route traffic away from fast-moving blazes and deploy autonomous drone fleets to safely scan bridges for structurally— structural integrity minutes after a fire passes. Proactive, tech-driven engineering research isn't a luxury.

It's a matter of basic public safety. We have to build our roads to survive the modern environment. I urge a yes vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman yields back. Any further discussion on this amendment?

Hearing none, the question is on adoption of Whitesides Amendment 053. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Salinas of Oregon. The clerk shall report Salinas Amendment 093. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Ms. Salinas of Oregon. Add at the end—.

Objection. The amendment is considered as read. I now recognize Representative Salinas of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment would establish a task force to address the issue of 6PPD in our ecosystem.

This is an essential chemical used in tires to ensure their durability and safety. However, as tires wear down, 6PPD can run off into waterways where it is toxic for fish. In particular, it's deadly to Coho salmon and harms our fishing industry. This is a critical issue in the Pacific Northwest where our tribes, our fisheries, and our recreation industry rely on salmon for their subsistence and livelihoods. Unfortunately, there is no practical and safe alternative to 6PPD at this time.

This amendment, adopted from Representative Strickland's 6PPD Task Force Act, would bring the relevant stakeholders together to identify short-term solutions to mitigate the impact of 6PPD and long-term solutions to develop and adopt a safer alternative in the future. I want to thank Congresswoman Strickland for bringing together tire manufacturers, environmental advocates, and state and tribal partners to develop this legislation. This amendment would just help move this work forward, creating a formal task force to coordinate efforts on 6PPD research and mitigation. I'm deeply disappointed that there is no path forward for this common sense amendment today. Mr. Chairman, I would appreciate an opportunity to work with you to find a path forward as this surface transportation package moves to the floor.

And with that, I will withdraw the amendment and I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. The amendment is withdrawn. And as an avid salmon fisherman myself, I assure you that we will be glad to work with you. Okay. All right.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Ross of North Carolina. The clerk shall report Ross Amendment 075. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Ms. Ross of North Carolina. Thank you.

Without objection, the amendment is considered. The amendment is considered as read, and I recognize Representative Ross from North Carolina for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren, for holding this markup on all of these important bills. I'm pleased to offer this amendment, a piece of Representative Cohen and my bill, the Stop Underwrites Act 2.0. An underride crash occurs when a car slides underneath a large truck during an accident.

A car's safety features are useless in an underride crash because the passenger compartment slides under the truck's tra—. Cab or trailer. Passengers in these crashes, if they survive, usually experience severe head and neck injuries. Unfortunately, data on these crashes is spotty at best. Law enforcement officers and first responders often aren't trained to report underride crashes as such.

And if we don't know how many of these crashes are occurring, it's even harder to begin to take steps to reduce and prevent them. It's clear that we need a fuller picture of how many Americans are killed or seriously injured in underride crashes. And I—. This happened to the daughters of one of my constituents. She brought this to my attention at a town hall.

This amendment will require the Department of Transportation to study and report on the prevalence of underride crashes and the impacts they have on road users. I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back. Gentlelady yields back. Are there any other comments on this amendment? Hearing none.

The question is on adoption of Ross Amendment 075. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.

This amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Foushee of North Carolina. The clerk shall report Foushee Amendment 062. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Ms. Foushee of North Carolina. Thank you.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Foushee of North Carolina North Carolina for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am proud to offer this amendment, which I worked on with my colleague, Congressman Max Miller. As the lead sponsors of the IMPACT Act and IMPACT Act 2.0, we have been focused on strengthening American manufacturing and advancing innovation in cement, concrete, asphalt, and other construction materials we rely on every day.

To build our roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure. In my home state of North Carolina and across the country, families and businesses depend on strong, affordable infrastructure built with materials that are reliable, cost-effective, and cleaner to produce. This amendment helps states test, validate, and use innovative building materials with greater confidence. It supports the development of standards, specifications, and risk-sharing models so states can more easily purchase low-emissions construction materials. It also supports real-world testing and deployment, including lab evaluation, field-scale construction, and pilot-scale pavement testing using existing state facilities and test tracks.

That matters because States, contractors, and producers need confidence that new materials will perform safely and cost-effectively before they are used at scale. These are practical steps to improve the affordability of building materials and infrastructure, strengthen our domestic supply chain, reduce emissions, and support good-paying jobs here at home. This bipartisan amendment gives states more tools to build stronger cleaner and more affordable infrastructure. I thank Congressman Miller for his partnership on this effort, and additionally, I thank Reps. Fung and Sykes for their work on the underlying bill. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

I yield back the balance of my time, and I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. The gentlelady yields back. I'd like to recognize the ranking member. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Ms. Foushee for this very important amendment.

Um, globally, cement facilities account for 8% of carbon dioxide emissions, about, uh, one-third of all power plant emissions, and demand for cement is expected to increase by 12% by the middle of this century. This amendment is so important. We already know that the technology exists, uh, to create concrete that actually absorbs CO2 and has, um, compressive strength that exceeds, uh, traditional methods of, uh, of concrete or, um, uh, cement. What we don't have is a building code structure that allows for that to proceed in an orderly way. This amendment will help that.

We also don't have a structure to allow that to proceed at scale. So this is a super important amendment, and I don't think it needs to be added in. I think it's included in the broad scope of the amendment, but it is possible that because of the comprehensive strength of this type of cement that actually absorbs CO2, it may be a safer material for use in earthquake country. And that is something I would look forward to hearing about. So with that, I thank the gentlelady for the amendment and urge adoption of the amendment.

Ranking member yields back. Is there any further discussion on this amendment? Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of Foushee Amendment 062. All those in favor say aye. Aye.

Those opposed say no. And on the opinion of the chair, The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamici of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamici Amendment 099. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Ms. Bonamici of Oregon. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Bonamici of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Before I do that, I want to join in the condolences about the passing of our colleague Bill Posey, with whom I had the honor of serving for many years. We also worked together on ocean and estuary health. He was one of the co-chairs of the Estuary Caucus.

And I also had the pleasure of traveling to not just to his district, but when we were there, he invited us to his home. And he was just a kind man, and I know we will miss him. And I send condolences to his family. So on the amendment, thank you, Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren, for your leadership on this bill and for supporting innovation in the transportation sector. My amendment would authorize the Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Program at the Federal Transit Administration.

This program has a successful record of helping transit agencies test and deploy next-generation technologies. It's enjoyed bipartisan support for years. By supporting advanced propulsion systems, safer vehicle platforms, improved charging systems, and hydrogen fuel cell buses, this program helps improve passenger safety, strengthen U.S. supply chains, and support workers. This program would scale the innovative work already underway in my home state of Oregon. For example, TriMet, the transit provider serving the Portland region, is now deploying hydrogen fuel cell buses along the 87th— 82nd Avenue corridor.

These vehicles will be able to operate longer routes, improve air quality, and reduce costs for daily commuters. These innovations help reduce pollution in heavily traveled communities and also support construction and manufacturing jobs. By creating demand for domestically made component and fueling infrastructure, it positions the U.S. to compete in a global transportation market that increasingly demands clean and advanced transit technologies. Hydrogen also offers operational advantages for transit systems. Battery electric buses work in many applications, but fuel cells provide longer range, faster refueling, and greater flexibility for long routes and in cold climates.

That reliability is essential, especially for rural and regional transit, and it also supports emergency management preparedness and resilience for safe transportation. Importantly, this program's consortium model helps align research and development projects with industry needs, and it's proven its ability to deliver timely, timely results. It convenes nonprofit organizations, transit and emergency management agencies, research testing centers, and industry to develop standards, provide workforce training, and leverage private co-investment to work flexibly. Projects are assessed with a rigorous industry standard screening to evaluate scalability, and because the program employs a short lifecycle model, projects are deployed within 18 months of receiving an award. This program's innovative projects have advanced collision avoidance systems, precision bus movement, operator assault reduction, and automated safety tools that are designed to reduce crashes and improve maintenance operations.

The Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Program provides reliable, centralized, and standardized data for transit agencies to compare lifecycle maintenance costs for fleet planning, and then they make smarter budget choices. Transit workers deserve safe vehicles, and riders deserve safe systems. Modernizing aging fleets with technologies that reduce risks gives confidence to riders and their— that their commute will be safer and affordable. Countries around the world continue to invest in advanced transit manufacturing. So by authorizing the Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Program, more workers can build American transit technology, more riders can commute with clean air, and more promising systems quickly bridge from research, from research to commercialization.

So this program will close that gap and give transit agencies tools to test, validate, and scale the new systems to to lower risks and costs, and also improve performance and avoid expensive procurement errors. As the U.S. seeks to lead in transportation technology, this amendment will support the research and development to innovate transit, one of the highest volume modes of transportation. So I urge all my colleagues to support this straightforward amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. Gentlewoman yields back. Any further discussion on this amendment?

Hearing none, the question is on adoption of Bonamici Amendment 099. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Subramanian of Virginia. The clerk shall report Subramanian Amendment 117. Amendment to H.R. 8748 Offered by Mr. Subramanian of Virginia. Add at the end the following: study on toll pricing.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Subramanian of Virginia for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Continuing the theme of reducing costs for daily commuters, this amendment simply asks us to do a study on the pricing scheme of private toll roads and investigate excessive pricing there. Give us some ideas on how we can lower costs for community commuters.

My district has a private toll road where if you drive just 1 mile, you'll have to pay $5.50 each way. So it's $11 for 2 miles. And it was because of a lack of oversight, a lack of looking ahead as far as policy. And so we were able to fix that in the General Assembly when I was there. But this is happening all over the country.

Oftentimes these private toll roads are owned by foreign companies who don't particularly care how they impact commuters or, or how the pricing puts pressure on local governments. And so I just want to do a little study on, on what we can do to help fix this across the country. So thank you, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Any further discussion on this amendment?

Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of Subramanian Amendment 117. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.

Let's see. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, a reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 8748, The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved.

The question is on favorably reporting HR 8748 as amended to the House. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay.

The ayes have it. The bill as amended is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, their motion to consider is laid on the table. Okay. You bet.

Okay. Consideration of H.R. 8790 Pursuant to notice. I now call up H.R. 8790, The Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act.

The clerk will report the bill, please. H.R. 8790, Offered by Mr. Harrigan of North Carolina. Thank you. Thank you.

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill? Mr. Harrigan. Thank you, Chairman Babin, and thank you, Ranking Member Lofgren. And I want to say a special thanks to my colleague across the aisle, Rep. Salinas, for all of your help on this bipartisan legislation.

America has an enormous source of clean, reliable baseload power sitting right underneath our feet, and we are barely scratching the surface of what it can do. It's estimated that next-generation geothermal has the potential to deliver 90 gigawatts of power to the United States alone, and it could not come at a more consequential time. Congress is beginning to reckon with the fact that we simply do not have enough power to meet the rising demand for electricity. Getting more electrons on the grid and doing that quickly is fundamentally vital, vital to securing an economically prosperous future for the next generation of Americans. This bill puts the Department of Energy to work solving the engineering challenges standing between us and the abundant energy resources that next-generation geothermal technologies can deliver.

By engaging in public-private partnerships, that actually get results, we can unlock this energy source and power America's economic future. I'd like to again thank my colleague Rep. Salinas for her work on this bill, and I urge all members to support this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Anyone else would like to?

Yes. Yes, ma'am. Uh, thank you, Chair Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren, and thank you to Congressman Harrigan for co-leading the Geothermal and energy efforts with me. Oregonians are really passionate about addressing this climate crisis, and our state has very ambitious clean energy targets. And thanks to incredible technological improvements in recent years, wind and solar are now some of the cheapest sources of power, and they will continue to play an essential and growing, growing role in our energy mix.

However, these technologies provide intermittent power. Their output can be weather dependent, and they require stops to ensure the reliability and resiliency that consumers need. The effects of climate change exacerbate these challenges. In Oregon, winter ice storms, wildfires, and drought increasingly present challenges to delivering that clean, affordable, and reliable power. As energy costs continue to rise, driven by aging infrastructure, rising fuel costs, and those same climate-driven disasters, we need more tools to ensure that we can deliver the reliability that consumers depend on.

Geothermal energy is a technology that promises to deliver clean 24/7 power. It will play an important role in the transition to a reliable clean energy future, and I'm proud to support this legislation to accelerate the development of next-gen geothermal technologies. Oregon is already a leader in this space, producing the 5th most geothermal electricity in the U.S. Oregon Institute of Technology opened Oregon's the first geothermal power plant at their Klamath Falls campus, and for 60 years the school has heated buildings and supplied hot water with geothermal energy. Now Oregon is leading the charge on next-gen geothermal technologies. Newberry Volcano in Central Oregon is a hotspot— and forgive the pun— for geothermal research and development.

Multiple companies are piloting commercial-scale power plants and demonstrating new technologies that will allow geothermal to operate in extreme heat conditions. Mastering these super hot applications will increase the power output of a system many times over and allow geothermal to play a much larger role in the country's energy mix across broad geographies. More research is needed to better understand and map the availability of that subsurface heat across the country, as well as to develop the engineering techniques and materials needed to drill deeper and maintain wells at extreme temperatures. Our bill will support new geothermal research, development, demonstration, and commercialization efforts at DOE to overcome these challenges. Next-generation geothermal energy will be a critical tool in the fight against climate change, providing clean, reliable energy with a smaller footprint than other power sources.

So I look forward to advancing this legislation to clear a path for broad adopt— of next-gen geothermal power. And again, I thank my colleague, Congressman Harrigan, for co-leading this, and I look forward to supporting this bill. I yield back. The lady yields back. I now recognize myself to speak in support of this bill as well.

I'm very pleased to support H.R. 8790, The Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act. And I would like to thank Representatives Harrigan and Ms. Salinas, for their work on this legislation. This bill will enhance public-private partnerships, will help accelerate the deployment of baseload next-generation geothermal power at a time when the United States needs all the energy that it can produce. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Is there any further discussion on the underlying bill? Hearing none, we will proceed with the amendments in the order listed On the roster, the first amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Harrigan of North Carolina. The clerk will report Harrigan Amendment 058. Amendment to H.R. 8790 Offered by Mr. Harrigan of North Carolina.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read, and I now recognize Representative Harrigan of North Carolina for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Well, thank you, Thank you, Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren. My amendment would direct the Department of Energy to include supercritical geothermal conditions within its FORGE sites and R&D programs. Geothermal experts estimate that supercritical geothermal wells could produce 5 to 10 times the energy that conventional geothermal wells do. By eliminating the technical feasibility loophole, we can push the DOE to unlock and tap this incredible energy source.

The future of next-generation geothermal, like any frontier energy source, carries inherent risks, but the DOE's mandate is to push the boundaries of what is possible. And we will never know what supercritical geothermal can deliver if we never try. I'd like to thank my colleague Rep. Salinas for her support of this bipartisan amendment and on the overall bill. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Gentleman yields back.

Any other discussion on this amendment? Miss Salinas, you're recognized. Thank you. And again, thank you to Congressman Harrigan for this amendment. And it does represent a bipartisan agreement on technical corrections to ensure the bill achieves its intended purpose of pushing the envelope on geothermal technology.

So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, the question is on adoption of Harrigan Amendment 058. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and this amendment is adopted.

The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Van Epps of Tennessee. The clerk shall report Van Epps Amendment 117. Amendment to H.R. 8790 Offered by Mr. Van Epps of Tennessee. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read.

I recognize Representative Van Epps of Tennessee for 5 minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. House Republicans have worked hard during this Congress to deliver on the president's agenda to unleash American energy dominance by removing regulatory barriers, streamlining licenses and permits for energy projects, and detaching from foreign dependence. I rise in strong support of Representative Harrigan's bill to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge geothermal projects to meet America's energy needs. Representative Harrigan has championed numerous legislation across nuclear, natural gas, and now geothermal energy, helping to secure America's leadership in energy dominance.

In calling the Energy Secretary to issue grants for innovative geothermal projects, this bill directs federal spending toward public-private partnerships that address America's ever-growing energy demands. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment for purposes of discussion. My amendment directs the Secretary's grant prioritization to consider commercial geothermal projects that would power high-load factor facilities. High-load factor facilities such as semiconductor fabrication plants, Steel mills and wastewater treatment facilities all need consistent baseload power to sustain operations. Rising energy demands are also hitting close to home in Tennessee's 7th District, home to a Google data center, a new critical mineral smelter, and Fort Campbell.

As investment in these large facilities grow in my district and across the country, it is essential that taxpayer dollars are supporting renewable energy projects that are directed toward meeting a substantive need, which is what— which is what my amendment seeks to advance. I appreciate the chairman and ranking member's willingness to work with us on this issue. While there are differing views on how to address energy demands for high-load facilities, I appreciate the engagement from committee members and intend to withdraw the amendment at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I yield back.

Gentleman yields back. Thank you. The amendment is withdrawn and We'll certainly be glad to work with you. Okay. Um, there are no additional amendments on the amendment roster.

Are there any further amendments?

Hearing none, a reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 8790, The Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably The motion is approved. The question is on favorably reporting H.R. 8790 As amended to the House. All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7129, The Water Power Research and Development Development Reauthorization Act. The clerk will report the bill, please. H.R. 7129, Offered by Ms. Bonamici of Oregon.

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak? Ms. Bonamici from Oregon, you're recognized. Well, thank you very much, Chair Babin, and thank you to Ranking Member Lofgren, uh, for, uh, both of you for bringing this bill up today, and also to Congressman Begich for his partnership on this The ocean contains enormous untapped energy potential. Marine energy uses power from moving water, including waves, tides, and currents, to produce reliable baseload electricity.

The Department of Energy estimates that marine energy resources could eventually power more than 22 million homes and support resilient coastal infrastructure, offshore operations, desalination, remote communities, and national security. According to the National Lab of the Rockies, total U.S. marine energy resources are estimated to be 2,300 terawatt-hours per year. As a representative for Oregon's North Coast, I've seen how visionary scientists can successfully partner with federal programs to harness the power of waves, tides, and currents. Just 7 miles off the coast of Newport, Oregon, workers, engineers, researchers, fishermen, local leaders, and federal scientists have spent more than a decade building PacWave, one of the most advanced wave energy research facilities in the world. This project has evolved from theory, design, and planning to operations because of sustained support from the Water Power Technology Office.

Construction crews completed subsea cable installation last year. Utility connection and monitoring facility is prepared for —full-scale operations as the first grid-connected, pre-permitted wave energy test facility in the continental United States. This milestone took decades of support and coordination. Oregon State University led the effort. NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Lab provided scientific expertise and ocean observation capabilities.

Local governments in Newport and Lincoln County helped sustain community support and infrastructure planning. And the Department of Energy's Water Powers Technology Office provided long-term investment. Researchers at institutions across the Pacific Northwest helped solve engineering and environmental monitoring challenges to bring PacWave to life. This project exemplifies federal research partnerships that can deliver the next generation of grid-scale energy. PacWave's story proves that Growing this sector will require testing infrastructure, long-term research partnerships, and demonstration projects that reduce risk for private investment.

It also requires federal leadership willing to stay engaged long enough to move promising technologies from prototype to deployment. The Water Power Technologies Office provides that long-term partnership to fuel innovation. It's positioned the U.S. to be a global leader in wave, tidal, and hydropower technology. It supports advanced manufacturing research, grid integration, environmental monitoring, cybersecurity, and solutions to deploy marine energy in harsh ocean environments. Water power, including marine energy, hydropower, and pumped storage, plays a critical role in grid reliability, lowering energy costs, which is something everybody needs right now, and supporting domestic manufacturing.

Marine energy potential could have produced 50 7% of all U.S. electricity generated in 2021. Hydropower is a proven baseload energy— electricity resource, accounting for 6.2% of total U.S. electricity produced in 2024. And pumped storage is the largest source of utility-scale energy storage in the country, with a total capacity of 23 gigawatts. So as our grid strains and energy costs increase, it's essential to strengthen the water power technologies Office that brings these technologies to scale. So this bipartisan bill will reauthorize and modernize critical research activities at the Water Power Technology Office by strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains, expanding workforce development and university partnerships, and directing research into emerging energy technologies.

The bill will strengthen grid reliability and resilience. Extreme weather events Spiking energy demand and cybersecurity risk are straining our already vulnerable grid and raising America's electricity costs. At the same time, this bill will direct research into advanced technologies that provide long-duration energy storage and flexible generation. It will expand research opportunities for coastal and riverside communities to develop solutions for the urgent challenges they face, including through microgrid deployment, desalination, disaster recovery and lifeline infrastructure. These projects need regional experts to help bring developers, federal scientists, and communities together to complete them.

This bill sustains and expands the National Marine Energy Centers as regional hubs for testing, demonstration, and workforce development, so federal investments support local priorities. Additionally, the bill will improve the Water Power Office's research on fisheries, water quality, and sediment movement to understand the environmental effects of energy employment and inform responsible testing. As new energy technologies pivot from testing to grid scale, the Water Power Technology Office supports workforce opportunities beyond the energy sector, including in construction, equipment manufacturing, and shipyard operations. So again, I want to thank Representative Begich for co-leading this important legislation and the chair and ranking member for bringing it to the committee. I urge all of my colleagues to support this this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

The lady yields back. If there's no further discussion on the underlying bill— oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you, Mr. Menefee. You're recognized from Texas. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I want to thank Ranking Member Lofgren and Representative Bonamici for this important bill.

Our society relies on water to survive, but in Texas right now, we are running out of it. Our state just told us that it needs $174 billion over the next $50 years just to keep the taps running. That number was $80 billion just 4 years ago, so it more than doubled. This bill, the Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act, starts to answer that call. It invests $300 million a year in the clean, water-smart energy sources Texas desperately needs: hydropower, marine energy, and pumped storage.

That's an investment that in Texas cannot wait. Data centers are pouring into Texas, hundreds of them. AI is driving demand for computing power like we have never seen. All of that computing needs electricity and water, and a lot of it. The power plants feeding these facilities— coal plants, natural gas plants— use hundreds of gallons of water for every megawatt hour they generate.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin say that by 2040, data centers could consume more than more water than the entire oil and gas industry in Texas. More than 65% of Texas was in drought last week. Corpus Christi is months away from a water emergency, and my constituents in Houston get drought warnings every summer and higher water bills every year. Every one of these plants that I've mentioned pulls hundreds of gallons of water from rivers and aquifers that Texas families depend on. This bill lays the foundation for the alternative.

Hydropower, marine energy, and pumped storage generate electricity without burning through our water supply. This bill funds the research and development that brings those technologies to scale and gets them on the grid. That means every megawatt hour we generate from water power is a megawatt hour we do not have to pull from a coal or gas plant. And in Texas, that is hundreds of gallons of water saved every single time. Clean energy is water-smart energy.

For Houston, for Texas, for every family that just wants to turn on the tap and know that something will come out. I fully support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do so as well. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Any further discussion?

Hearing none, we will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by the chair. The clerk shall report Babin Amendment 001. Amendment to H.R. 7129 Offered by Mr. Babin of Texas.

Without objection, the amendment is considered read, and I recognize myself for 5 minutes to explain this amendment. My amendment makes a few changes to the bill, responding to communications and feedback from members of the committee. The amendment authorizes the current appropriated levels for marine energy and hydropower research, development, and demonstration activities for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. I want to thank Representatives Bonamici and Begich for working with us on this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. And I yield back the balance of my time.

Anyone else would like to seek recognition on this?

Okay. No further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Babin Amendment 001. Those in favor say aye. Aye.

Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment is adopted.

There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, a reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 7129, The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting H.R.

7129 As amended. As amended to the House. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.

The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make any necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill. So ordered. Members will have 2 calendar days to submit supplemental minority or additional views on this measure. With no further business before the committee, the committee stands adjourned. Thank you.