Reliable and adequate delivery of electric power – a crucial aspect of Americans’ daily lives – depends on our electric power grid, which consists of a complex network of generators, transmission lines, distribution centers, and other crucial infrastructure.

As demand for reliable electric power increases with the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), American manufacturing, and general electrification, we are also seeing premature retirements of dispatchable and baseload power plants due to overly burdensome regulations. 

This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3616, the Reliable Power Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor. This commonsense bill will improve federal rulemaking to ensure that future regulations impacting power generation will not harm electric reliability, especially in already vulnerable regions.

Watch my remarks on the House floor HERE.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed H. Amdt. to S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, into law. The NDAA authorizes annual funding levels for the U.S. Armed Forces and sets expenditures for the Department of Defense (DoD).

With President Trump's signature, the FY2026 NDAA officially delivers on our peace-through-strength agenda with a generational investment in our national defense. Not only does this bipartisan bill ensure America's warfighters are the most lethal and capable fighting force in the world, but it also improves the quality of life for our servicemembers in the 12th District and nationwide. I was proud to support this bill and will continue to stand with the men and women who make up our nation's Armed Forces.

The FY2026 NDAA:

• Secures funding to continue critical missions at the Savannah River Site (SRS)
• Provides enlisted servicemembers with a 4% pay raise.
• Expands our counter-drone defenses and new technologies.
• Advances the Golden Dome and enhances America’s nuclear deterrent and new nuclear power technologies.
• Enacts guardrails to protect America’s long-term investments and economic interests.
• Fully supports the deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops at the southwest border to intercept illegal aliens and drugs.
• Enhances U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies. 
• Revitalizes American shipbuilding and expands the Maritime Industrial Base.
• Strengthens U.S.-Israel military operations and cooperative missile defense programs. 
• Strengthens our defense industrial base and supply chains.
• Reforms the defense acquisition process to eliminate regulatory barriers, enhance speed, and scale capacity for our Warfighters.
• Accelerates the development and delivery of space capabilities to counter Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals and space surveillance.
• Streamlines operations by eliminating $20 billion in obsolete weapons, inefficient programs, and Pentagon bureaucracy.
• Prohibits contracts with advertising firms, like NewsGuard Technologies Inc., that blacklist conservative news sources.
• Restores merit-based promotions and admissions to service academies.
• Counters antisemitism and eliminates programs that discourage military readiness, like CRT, DEI, and climate initiatives.

FY26 NDAA bill text can be accessed HERE.

Energy and Commerce Committee

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing:

"Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States"

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, public safety communications fell short and internet was often unavailable. From improved satellite coverage to stronger broadband networks, I asked our witnesses how investing in these critical systems will help keep Americans in crisis and first responders connected.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing:

"Examining Biosecurity at the Intersection of AI and Biology"

Being prepared for the next pandemic is crucial for our public health. During this hearing, I asked our witnesses how advances in AI technology can help ensure that we are ready for the next major public health threat.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Education and Workforce Committee

Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions hearing:

"Ensuring Union Leaders Represent Members, Not Agendas"

The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA) establishes minimum standards for democratic union governance. Unfortunately, some unions have largely become political machines more focused on activism than representing members’ interests in the workplace. I chaired a HELP Subcommittee hearing this week examining how Congress can make the LMRDA work as intended.

Read my opening statement HERE.

Read the hearing recap HERE.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Social media is a great way to stay connected and I encourage you to keep up with my work in Congress by ‘liking’ my Facebook page and following me on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

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As always, my office is here to help. If you'd like to email me, please click here. 

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To stay informed about what is happening in Washington D.C. and in our district, please follow me on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Sincerely,

Rick Allen
Member of Congress