The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for 2026. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the bill, which includes significant funding for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
According to Rep. Simpson, “The Idaho National Laboratory is a world leader in nuclear energy research and a hub for remarkable advancements in nuclear technologies. INL has long worked to advance America’s nuclear technology and strengthen our national security, and I have been proud to support their efforts in Congress. I am confident that the future of nuclear energy is bright under President Trump and Secretary Wright. As a longtime member and former Chairman of this critical subcommittee, I am pleased to see this legislation expand America’s nuclear capabilities and address the future of nuclear energy.”
Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner added, “Nuclear energy is experiencing unprecedented momentum, and we deeply appreciate the strong bipartisan support from Congress that has made this possible. We extend our special thanks to U.S. Representative Mike Simpson for his longstanding championship of nuclear energy and his unwavering commitment to Idaho National Laboratory. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning the laboratory at the forefront of America’s nuclear resurgence.”
The appropriations bill provides funding for several key projects at INL:
– Infrastructure and operations
– The Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project
– Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) Test Bed
– Advanced reactor construction and demonstrations
– Research on advanced Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel as well as High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU)
– The Idaho Cleanup Project
The measure passed with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 397-28.
Mike Simpson currently represents Idaho’s 2nd district in Congress, a position he has held since 1999 after succeeding Mike Crapo. He previously served in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1984 to 1998. Born in Burley, Idaho in 1950, Simpson resides in Idaho Falls and graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972.
