Environment Subcommittee Markup

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Environment Subcommittee held a markup session on July 15, 2026, to consider seven bills primarily focused on critical mineral recovery and Clean Air Act amendments. Key procurement-related discussions included bipartisan support for three bills aimed at boosting domestic critical mineral supply chains through battery recycling (HR 9615, the BRACE Act), recovery from contaminated sites (HR 9616, the EMRTE Act), and a coordinated national recovery strategy (HR 9617, the CHARM Act). The committee also reauthorized the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (HR 2140) to facilitate upgrading diesel engines via grants, supporting domestic manufacturing and environmental goals. Other Clean Air Act bills addressed locomotive emissions (HR 3194), bus idling standards (HR 9317), and diesel engine regulatory flexibility (HR 9618), with debates centering on balancing regulatory certainty, environmental protection, and state authority. Several amendments were adopted, including a bipartisan amendment to the BRACE Act to direct EPA rulemaking on lithium ion battery recycling. All bills were adopted and forwarded to the full committee, with authorization for technical revisions. The session emphasized advancing procurement and regulatory frameworks to enhance domestic critical mineral recovery, support clean air initiatives, and maintain economic and environmental balance.