[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MASSIVE CUTS TO ENERGY AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
(Mrs. Sykes of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in opposition to the fiscal
year 2026 Energy and Water appropriations bill.
At a time when energy costs are skyrocketing for my constituents,
Republicans are trying to make it even harder for them to keep their
homes warm and keep the lights on. For example, this bill makes massive
cuts to the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, including a nearly $10 million cut to Ohio. That is a
44 percent cut.
Republican cuts to this office include cuts to the Weatherization
Assistance Program, which reduces energy costs by increasing the energy
efficiency of homes. These cuts are compounded by the fact that
ratepayers in Ohio are on the hook for a corrupt bill that adds
hundreds to energy costs to bail out a coal plant in Indiana. Ohioans
cannot afford any more Republican malfeasance that literally costs
Ohioans hundreds of dollars a year.
Even more, this bill does not adequately fund two authorities in my
district that were created under the Water Resources Development Act of
2024. The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024 authorized
projects across the United States for water and wastewater
infrastructure that are critical to strengthening the flood protection
and resiliency of our communities and to complete ecosystem restoration
that maintains America's vital natural resources.
This legislation specifically authorized $49 million in new
authorities in Ohio's 13th Congressional District to allow the Army
Corps of Engineers to contribute their expertise to the development of
new and existing infrastructure projects that not only improve water
and sewer infrastructure but also bolster our economic competitiveness.
I am proud to have advocated for these resources to ensure that they
were included in last year's WRDA. These programs allow communities in
my district to have access to the infrastructure they need to flourish.
Here is how: Under the Summit County new authority, $25 million would
have been authorized to fund projects such as Akron's water main and
lead service line replacement project, Fairlawn's West Market Street
waterline replacement, New Franklin's South Main Street stormwater
replacement project, Barberton's Stratford Street waterline project,
and Fairlawn's Rosemont Preserve project.
Additionally, under Stark County's new authority, $24 million would
have been authorized to fund projects such as Canton's Cromer Water
Storage Reservoir replacement project, improvements to the Ohio & Erie
Canalway Lock 4 Park, and North Lawrence's sanitary sewer project.
Funding these projects is crucial to ensure my constituents have
access to clean water in their homes. In order to truly make a
difference for these communities, we must fully fund the programs that
we authorize. For me, this is about my constituents and lowering their
costs and allowing our communities to thrive.
Because of aggressive gerrymandering in Ohio, people of Ohio's 13th
Congressional District paid taxes that never made it back to our
communities. These funds went to places like California, New York, and,
God forbid, Michigan. Here is just another example of snatching hard-
earned constituents' dollars that they expected to be reinvested in
their community, only to be sent elsewhere to pay for billionaire tax
cuts or something else nefarious and nothing that anyone asked for.
I came to Congress to do right by my community. As I said earlier, I
am proud to have ensured that $49 million in new infrastructure
authorities were included to be funded in our community. However, this
work cannot get done if we do not appropriate the money to get the
shovels in the ground.
For this reason and many others, I urge my colleagues to oppose this
bill because it does not lower costs. It harms our communities.
Honoring Joshua Jarzab, Ohio's 13th District Champion of the Week
Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Twinsburg
firefighter and local hero Joshua Jarzab as Ohio's 13th Congressional
District Champion of the Week.
On August 17, Joshua and his team responded to a call for a basement
fire. Joshua and his team acted swiftly, entering a burning home,
fighting back flames, and clearing a path to the basement.
Once underground, amidst thick smoke and scorching flames, Joshua and
his team conducted a methodical search and later found an 8-month-old
baby in the basement.
Even though the flames were high and strong, they continued searching
for this baby and ultimately rescued him. It took 12 minutes for Joshua
and his team from the Twinsburg Fire Department to ensure that they got
that baby out safe and sound.
I just say to Joshua and the entire Twinsburg fire safety services
team: There are people who run away from fire, but you-all ran toward
it. Not only did you run toward it in that situation, you run every day
that you are on call. In this particular moment, you saved a life, and
we are so grateful for you.
I thank Joshua, the Twinsburg Fire Department, and all of those who
protect and serve our communities.
I congratulate Joshua for being Ohio's 13th Congressional District
Champion of the Week.
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