Congressman Olszewski Votes No On Energy Funding Bill That Raises Costs for Consumers

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Johnny Olszewski today voted against legislation that slashes clean energy funding by nearly half and cancels billions in job-generating infrastructure projects while raising utility costs for Maryland families. The $57.3 billion Energy and Water 
Aappropriations bill for 2026 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 214-213 vote and now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The bill guts programs under the federal Department of Energy that work to reduce energy consumption and provide affordable energy options to lower costs for households and businesses. In Maryland, the cuts are more than $2.2 million – a 41 percent reduction in current funding levels.

The bill revokes $5.1 billion in funding approved previously under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for job-generating clean energy projects and slashes $412 million for nuclear nonproliferation.

“It’s now 244 days into the Congressional session and President Trump and Republicans have not done a single thing to lower costs for Americans – in fact, they keep making things worse,” Congressman Olszewski said. “This bill will hurt homeowners already struggling with sky-high utility bills while devastating programs that keep America safe and enable us to keep pace with our economic competitors. I voted no on this unserious bill that paves the way to a dirtier, more expensive future.”