Email from Rep. Nehls Rep. Troy E. Nehls Votes to Pass FY26 NDAA   Greetings! I wanted to take a moment to share with you a recap of what happened last week in Texas' 22nd District and the United States House of Representatives. This Week in Washington D.C. Rep. Troy E. Nehls Votes "YES" to Pass FY26 NDAA I voted “YES” to pass S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This legislation restores our military’s focus on lethality, meritocracy, and accountability, and gives our brave service men and women a 3.8% pay raise. Importantly, this legislation codifies all or parts of 15 of President Donald J. Trump’s executive orders and codifies 30 legislative proposals requested by the Trump Administration. The FY26 NDAA supports priorities of President Trump, including the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems. I’m pleased to announce that the Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act of 2025, legislation that I championed alongside Representative Lou Correa (D-CA-46), was included in the NDAA. This bipartisan legislation allows law enforcement to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones. By equipping our men and women in blue with the most updated and efficient tools they need to protect and defend our communities and families, more officers are kept out of the line of fire, resulting in safer streets. While I supported the overall passage of the FY26 NDAA, I have concerns with Section 373 of the legislation, which does little, if anything, to adequately address the safety of the overly congested National Capitol Region airspace. I made a commitment to the families of American Airlines Flight 5342, and to the American people, that we, as Congress, will ensure the tragic January 29 midair crash that took 67 souls would never happen again. Section 373 of the FY26 NDAA fails to uphold that commitment and fails to seriously consider the safety of DC's congested airspace. I will continue to work with my Senate counterparts to address these concerns related to Section 373 before the FY26 NDAA is signed into law. Rep. Troy E. Nehls Introduces the Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Restoration Act This week, I introduced the Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Restriction Act, which clarifies the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) authority and resolves ongoing legal confusion surrounding privately owned consolidated interim storage facilities (CISFs) for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste must be stored on site at a civilian reactors or in federally owned facilities, not at private owned facilities. Despite this framework, the NRC has continued to license private CISFs, leading to years of litigation and conflicting rulings from the Fifth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits. The Supreme Court's recent decision in NRC v. Texas left the question unresolved, creating confusion for states and the nuclear industry. My legislation seeks to clarify the statutory authority of the NRC, resolving legal uncertainties, and confirming the federal government is responsible for storing nuclear waste. I'd like to thank Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13) for cosponsoring this important legislation which will prevent future litigation on this issue, which only impedes the lawful storage of nuclear waste and delays the development of our nuclear energy sector which is responsible for fueling our nation's electric grid. Read more about my legislation in The Texan HERE and on my website HERE. Rep. Troy E. Nehls Votes "YES" to Pass H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act, is a package of targeted, commonsense reforms to permitting processes under the Clean Water Act (CWA) that cuts red tape, reduces costly project delays and unnecessary litigation, and provides greater regulatory certainty for infrastructure builders, energy producers, farmers, home builders, water utilities, small businesses, and more. With the reforms made by the PERMIT Act, burdensome regulatory requirements will be reduced, ensuring permits are issued in a timely manner, increasing the ability of permit holders to maintain compliance with the CWA, protecting against frivolous lawsuits, and increasing transparency, all the while ensuring clean water protections. The CWA was intended to balance the protection of clean water with the need for responsible development, economic growth, and other economic activity. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the CWA permitting processes has become confusing and weaponized by some to hinder the development of infrastructure projects for reasons beyond water issues. This week, I voted "YES" to pass H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act, to strengthen the permitting process for permit seekers and holders, allowing builders to build, farmers to farm, and businesses to grow. Rep. Troy E. Nehls Votes "YES" to Pass Permitting Reform Bills That Helps Secure Our Grid, Lower Energy Prices, and Unleash Reliable and Affordable Energy This week, I proudly voted "YES" to pass three permitting reform bills that will help secure our nation's grid, lower energy prices, and unleash reliable and affordable power for American families. H.R. 3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, takes a commonsense, light-touch approach to ensure states effectively and efficiently plan electric generation facilities in a manner that prioritizes reliability and affordability for hardworking American households. Specifically, H.R. 3628 would require state Public Utility Commissions to consider requirements for utilities to have sufficient generation from reliable and dispatch able energy sources, like natural gas, nuclear, coal, and hydropower, over a 10-year period. H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act, directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct periodic assessments of supply chain constraints or vulnerabilities that could impact the bulk power system. Specifically, this legislation would require the DOE to consult with industry experts and report to Congress on the most up-to-date information related to the supply chain for our nation's electric grid. As our electric grid system is under strain from premature retirements of baseload power and historic demand increases from manufacturing and technology, we, as Congress, must ensure our federal government and policy makers are equipped with the necessary tools to protect the affordability and reliability of the bulk power system. H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, modernizes the federal permitting process for interstate natural gas pipelines by bolstering the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) role as the lead agency for environmental reviews, bringing state water quality reviews under its coordination. Rep. Troy E. Nehls Receives "Reformer Award" from NumbersUSA I am deeply humbled and grateful to have received the "Reformer Award" from NumbersUSA this week. I am one of 12 members of Congress who received this award, which highlights my steadfast commitment to sensible immigration reforms that put American families, workers, and national security first. As a longtime advocate for secure borders and enforcement-first policies, it's an honor to be acknowledged by one of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to these issues. From my tenure as Sheriff of Fort Bend County to serving the 22nd Congressional District of Texas in Congress, I've always fought for a stronger and safer America. Thank you to NumbersUSA for this award. This Week in Texas' 22nd District Department of State: Update on Passport Processing Times Are you planning international travel for the Christmas or New Year holiday season? Many countries require at least six months of passport validity, so now is the time to make sure your passport is up to date. My District Office can assist constituents experiencing delays or last-minute travel needs by coordinating with the U.S. Department of State to help expedite processing when appropriate. As of December 2025, passport processing times are: Routine Service: 4–6 weeks Expedited Service: 2–3 weeks (additional fee required) For renewals please visit here For first time applications visit here For immediate holiday travel, some individuals may qualify for in-person agency appointments, which offer faster processing depending on urgency and availability. For general questions, please visit the Department of State’s website. If you need assistance with urgent holiday travel or an application outside normal processing times, please complete the release form on my website. If you need assistance, please provide your application details and proof of travel so our office can work with federal agencies to help expedite your passport request. A member of my casework team will contact you within one business day. You may also call my district office at 346-762-6600 for assistance. Do you support my bill, the Medal of Honor Act, that was signed into law by President Trump, that increases the pensions of our nation's highest decorated Veterans? Yes 94% No 6% Follow Us We Want to Hear From You I always appreciate learning about the issues that are important to you. If you have a concern, please contact me HERE. Use this QR code to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts and join my Newsletter for updates. It's an honor to represent you and the great state of Texas in the United States House of Representatives. Do you support my bill, the REMOVE Act, which would speed up the removal of illegal aliens from our country? Let me know below Yes No Sincerely, Troy E. Nehls Member of Congress By participating in the survey, you are opting into further communication from Rep. Nehls Rep. 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