Congressman Ken Calvert joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for 2026. The bill was approved by a vote of 397 to 28.
Rep. Calvert said, “The package of appropriations bills approved by the House funds many American priorities, including the fight against fentanyl, restoring American energy dominance, bolstering our nuclear defense systems, and improving water infrastructure. Many of my priorities for our region, California, and the nation were incorporated into this bill. As a senior member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m pleased this final package includes funding for California water infrastructure. I also strongly support the significant investment the bill makes for the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure.”
The funding package includes several provisions related to energy and water development. These include $62.5 million for surface and groundwater storage projects in the Western United States and $12.5 million for water recycling projects in that region. It also allocates $19.4 million to research on Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) in western states, which aims to optimize water storage and reduce flood risk using watershed monitoring and weather forecasts. The program will also produce a report quantifying its economic value.
Additionally, $20 million is designated to support efforts by Lower Basin States to conserve Colorado River water, while $14 million is provided for the Coastal Ocean Data System buoy network used in coastal planning and emergency response.
For interior and environment issues, language in the bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide a briefing on air quality monitoring data specific to California’s Coachella Valley. There is also $1.5 billion allocated for Wildland Fire Management as well as $3.2 billion for the National Park Service. The bill eliminates funding for the Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation.
In commerce, justice, science priorities within H.R. 6938, there is an increase in funding to $105 million for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children—which operates a tipline used by law enforcement—and $3 million allocated to NOAA’s study of atmospheric rivers aimed at improving emergency preparedness measures.
Other items include $58 million directed toward NASA’s Space Grant Program supporting science education programs across all U.S. states; along with $2 million given to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) so it can use new wastewater testing technology designed to track fentanyl production and usage.
Ken Calvert has represented California’s 41st District in Congress since 1993 (https://calvert.house.gov/about/). He was born in Corona, California in 1953 where he currently resides (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C000059). Calvert graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1975.
