Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
With the energy and environment approps bills set to hit the House floor, let's take a quick look ahead at negotiations with the Senate.
Why it matters: House Republicans are proposing more cuts that could make for tough talks with the upper chamber.
What we're watching: In the Energy-Water title, subcommittee Chair Chuck Fleischmann is trying to repurpose money from DOE's Loan Programs Office to instead dole out $9 billion for three advanced nuclear demo projects.
- That's going to be controversial, even among Dems who support nuclear. Rep. Marcy Kaptur proposed an amendment to change the provision in committee.
- Fleischmann says there's "no question" the Senate would have to do something similar if it wants these projects funded under the caps.
- "If we had not done that, fiscally, we would have been in a position where we would have had to cancel one or two of those programs," he told Axios.
Friction point: The Interior-Environment bill proposes a 20% cut to EPA.
- "I suspect that it won't be a 20% cut" after negotiations with the Senate, subcommittee Chair Mike Simpson told Nick.
- Simpson noted that they accommodated tons of member requests for earmarks.
- He said his goal overall goal is to rein in EPA as it pursues air and water regulations and implements IRA spending.
