Hill Republicans are on a three-week sprint to get on the same page on reconciliation before lawmakers leave town again, Nick writes.

Why it matters: Objective No. 1 for Republicans is passing a unified budget resolution through both chambers, which they must do before they can formally start moving a reconciliation bill.

Here's what we're watching as lawmakers return…

Finding resolution: House GOP leaders and committee chairs issued a joint statement today calling on the Senate to pass the House budget resolution to set up "one big, beautiful bill."

• Meanwhile, they'll be trying to hash out a compromise that could pass both chambers.
• They essentially have to move something this work period to have any shot of getting a reconciliation bill to President Trump's desk this spring.
• Sen. John Hoeven predicted in a Fox News interview yesterday that the Senate could get a resolution to the floor as soon as next week: "We're going to try to iron out the things we need to address in the House-passed bill."

Math problems: Without a unified budget plan, lawmakers and committee staff who have been working on the underlying policy for months still have little clarity on how their budget math needs to add up.

• That's ultimately what could determine the fate of the IRA energy tax credits, since they're worth roughly $800 billion in revenue, according to the Budget Committee and outside experts.

Where credit's due: Advocates and clean energy lobbyists we've talked to say Republicans behind the scenes still aren't exactly sure how they'll handle the incentives amid divisions in the conference about their fate.

• "We're hearing a lot of rumors" about tax credit bonuses being altered and so-called foreign entity of concern language that could reduce the overall score of the IRA provisions, said Third Way's Alan Ahn.
• "We don't have a clear sense at this point on … what is actually going to go forward."
• Although a full IRA repeal still seems unlikely, "we caution against broadly optimistic views that Republican lawmakers will hold the line to save green tax credits in the face of pressure from Republican leadership and ultimately, Trump himself," RBC Insight wrote in a research note.

Major miners: Trump's minerals executive order could have some ripple effects for the Hill and for the reconciliation push.

• It proposes to use the Defense Production Act to bolster projects, something Republicans on the Hill have already discussed.
• We're also watching to see how the EO — and pushback from the conservation community — crosses with the broader bipartisanship around mining and minerals policy right now.

Watch for the Senate to churn through a slate of lower-level nominees over the next few weeks, Nick writes.

Why it matters: EPA, Interior and DOE don't have Senate-confirmed officials in place outside of their top leaders.

Driving the news: Senate Environment and Public Works advanced David Fotouhi, nominated to be the EPA deputy, and Aaron Szabo, picked for the agency's air office, this month before leaving town. They're awaiting a floor vote.

• EPW is planning a hearing Wednesday for two more EPA picks: Sean Donahue to be general counsel and Jessica Kramer to head up the water office.
• Also on the committee's agenda is Brian Nesvik, who's been nominated to lead the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Meanwhile, Trump has nominated a whole bunch of deputies for DOE and Interior, but Senate Energy and Natural Resources hasn't held confirmation hearings for any.

❌ 1. CRAze continues: The House is teeing up more resolutions that would repeal DOE energy conservation standards.

• It plans to hold two CRA votes this week that would roll back standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers and for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

🧪 2. More on the floor: The House floor schedule this week also includes several bills that would promote cross-agency research collaboration at DOE.

⚡️ 3. Grid check-in: Seven regional grid operators will testify tomorrow before House Energy and Commerce on the state of electric grid reliability.

👀 4. ESA tweaks: House Natural Resources will hold a legislative hearing tomorrow on Chair Bruce Westerman's legislation that would amend the Endangered Species Act.

💵 5. So it begins: Appropriators will kick off discussions about fiscal 2026 Interior and EPA spending with a subcommittee member day tomorrow.