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.

             RURAL AND MUNICIPAL UTILITY CYBERSECURITY ACT

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7266) to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to
reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity
Grant and Technical Assistance Program, and for other purposes, as
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7266