[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4297-H4299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ENERGY EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP ACT

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7258) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act 
with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

[[Page H4298]]

  


                               H.R. 7258

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Emergency Leadership 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 203 of the 
     Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7133(a)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(12) Energy emergency and energy security functions, 
     including--
       ``(A) responsibilities with respect to energy 
     infrastructure, security and resilience, emerging threats, 
     cybersecurity, supply, and emergency planning and 
     preparedness, coordination, response, and restoration, as 
     appropriate; and
       ``(B) upon request of a State, local, or Tribal government 
     or energy sector entity, and in coordination with other 
     Federal agencies as appropriate, provision of technical 
     assistance and support to protect against, detect, and 
     respond to energy security threats, risks, and incidents.''.
       (b) Coordination.--The Secretary of Energy shall ensure 
     that the functions of the Secretary described in section 
     203(a)(12) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (as 
     added by this Act) are performed in coordination with 
     relevant Federal agencies.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous material on H.R. 7258.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kentucky?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency 
Leadership Act, sponsored by my colleague Ms. Lee of Florida.
  The bill was considered and reported favorably by the committee on a 
unanimous, bipartisan vote because it will strengthen the Department of 
Energy's important energy emergency mission.
  The bill requires that the well-established energy emergency and 
cybersecurity functions at DOE are organized under the leadership of an 
Assistant Secretary, which is important to maintaining a high level of 
leadership in DOE's emergency response and cybersecurity functions.
  The Energy Emergency Leadership Act will ensure the Department has 
the focused and accountable leadership to more fully protect the public 
from all the hazards to the energy system, natural or man-made, 
including emerging threats from our foreign adversaries to the Nation's 
electric grid.
  A vote for H.R. 7258 is a vote for ensuring strong leadership during 
energy emergencies for the benefit of public safety and welfare and for 
stronger cybersecurity protections in our electricity systems.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1620

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  It is becoming increasingly obvious that our energy system faces 
numerous threats, whether it is from skyrocketing demand, climate 
change, or cyberattacks, and it is undeniable that our systems need 
support to continue delivering reliable and affordable power for 
Americans.
  H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, sponsored by 
Representative Lee of Florida and Representative Landsman, is an 
important bill. It amends the Department of Energy Organization Act.
  This bill elevates emergency response and cybersecurity 
responsibilities to the level of Assistant Secretary at DOE. It 
effectively ensures that the Director of DOE's Office of Cybersecurity, 
Energy Security, and Emergency Response, or CESER, goes through Senate 
confirmation.
  As the grid becomes increasingly complex and faces a host of new 
challenges, it is critical that ensuring the security of the grid is 
managed by top officials. DOE already plays an important role in 
ensuring rapid response to an energy emergency. The subject matter and 
sector expertise concentrated at DOE is vital for ensuring that threats 
to the grid are handled quickly and appropriately.
  H.R. 7258 clarifies in statute the emergency response 
responsibilities that are assigned to an Assistant Secretary. This 
ensures that there will be a consistent and effective leader and 
coordinator at DOE.
  Finally, I also note that while this bill is focused on the 
leadership of DOE offices, the reality is the Department's ability to 
respond to threats depends on its capable career staff. The Trump 
administration has devastated the Department of Energy's professional 
staff across the board, and I don't want that to be lost in this 
discussion about how to enhance its response capabilities.
  Nevertheless, I encourage everyone to support this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Lee), my good friend and the author of this legislation.
  Ms. LEE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act. I thank Chairman Guthrie and 
Ranking Member Castor for their leadership in moving this bill through 
committee, and also my colleague Representative Landsman for co-leading 
this bill with me.
  This legislation passed out of the Subcommittee on Energy unanimously 
because both Republicans and Democrats on the Committee recognized how 
critical it is to have accountable leadership protecting our electric 
grid.
  Today, the United States is experiencing record energy demand, driven 
by artificial intelligence, data centers, renewed domestic 
manufacturing, and widespread electrification across our economy. 
Meeting that demand safely requires not only robust and reliable 
generation but also a secure and resilient grid to deliver it.
  At the same time, the threats to that grid have never been more 
serious. State-sponsored actors like Volt Typhoon are actively 
targeting American critical infrastructure. Physical attacks on grid 
infrastructure are also on the rise. For those of us from Florida, 
energy emergencies are not theoretical. They are a constant reality. 
After major hurricanes, a large number of Floridians lose power, and 
rapid Federal coordination becomes a serious matter of public safety.
  H.R. 7258 addresses this directly. It ensures that the Department of 
Energy's emergency and cybersecurity responsibilities are led by a 
Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary, a clear, accountable leader whose 
role is codified in statute, not left to chance.
  This is a practical, bipartisan solution that will help our Federal 
response and our agencies keep pace with the reality of today's 
threats. This bill ensures that when an energy emergency strikes, a 
designated Federal official can cut through bureaucratic barriers, 
coordinate a clear response, and help keep the lights on for American 
families.
  I appreciate the cooperation of Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member 
Castor, and all of my colleagues in working together on this bill. I 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7258.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for working together. I really 
appreciate working together with both my friends from Florida, both 
from the Tampa area.
  It is important to have the right leadership in the right place to 
make sure we protect ourselves at this vulnerable time.
  I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7258, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7258.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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