The White House canceled $8 billion in federal energy funding last week, and the cuts affected projects in 28 Republican House districts. Budget Director Russell T. Vought targeted the programs as part of a strategy to eliminate Democratic priorities; however, the cancellations also affected projects championed by vulnerable Republicans in competitive districts. Representatives Juan Ciscomani, Gabe Evans, Mike Lawler, Ken Calvert, David Valadao, and Young Kim represent areas where funded projects were eliminated.
The canceled initiatives ranged from a $1 billion Pacific Northwest hydrogen hub to battery systems and hydrogen manufacturing facilities. Representative Mike Lawler told CNN the cancellations demonstrated that Republicans were not exempt from the cuts. Few GOP lawmakers have protested publicly despite the political risks to their reelection prospects.
California Republicans stood to lose substantial funding after the administration axed $1.2 billion for clean hydrogen projects. The lawmakers had urged Energy Secretary Chris Wright in April to preserve the funding. Representative Tom Kean blamed Democratic leaders for threatening Gateway tunnel construction despite opposing the federal funding freeze.
The canceled initiatives ranged from a $1 billion Pacific Northwest hydrogen hub to battery systems and hydrogen manufacturing facilities. Representative Mike Lawler told CNN the cancellations demonstrated that Republicans were not exempt from the cuts. Few GOP lawmakers have protested publicly despite the political risks to their reelection prospects.
California Republicans stood to lose substantial funding after the administration axed $1.2 billion for clean hydrogen projects. The lawmakers had urged Energy Secretary Chris Wright in April to preserve the funding. Representative Tom Kean blamed Democratic leaders for threatening Gateway tunnel construction despite opposing the federal funding freeze.
