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Read. Follow. Verify.Energy Emergency Leadership Act (H.R. 7258)
Last action · July 13, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Sponsors: Laurel Lee and 4 others
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill updates the Department of Energy Organization Act to formally assign specific energy emergency and security responsibilities to the Department's . It mandates that these officials oversee energy infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and emergency response, while providing technical support to state, local, and tribal governments.
The bill establishes a clear federal mandate for the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to local and tribal governments for energy security and cybersecurity threats, potentially changing how these entities coordinate with the federal government during energy emergencies.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Energy
The agency is assigned new formal responsibilities regarding energy security and emergency coordination.
State, local, and tribal governments
These entities gain a formal pathway to request technical assistance and support from the Department of Energy for energy security incidents.
Energy sector entities
Private energy sector entities are eligible to request technical assistance and support from the Department of Energy under this bill.
Key Facts
- Formally adds 'Energy emergency and energy security functions' to the duties of Assistant Secretaries at the Department of Energy.
- Includes responsibilities for energy infrastructure security, resilience, cybersecurity, supply, and emergency planning/restoration.
- Authorizes the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments upon request.
- Authorizes the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to energy sector entities upon request.
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- Requires the Secretary of Energy to coordinate these new functions with other relevant federal agencies.
- Amends section 203(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7133(a)).
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Laurel Lee aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of the nation's power grid. Representative Kathy Castor expressed support for the measure during the proceedings.
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
14 actions- Jul 13, 2026SenateCommitteeReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Jun 29, 2026HouseMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jun 29, 2026HouseFloorOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4298)
- Jun 29, 2026HouseFloorPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4298)
- Jun 29, 2026HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7258.
- Jun 29, 2026HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4297-4298)
Show 8 earlier actions
- Jun 29, 2026HouseMr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- May 11, 2026HousePlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 562.
- May 11, 2026HouseCommitteeReported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-645.
- Feb 4, 2026HouseForwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Feb 4, 2026HouseSubcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jan 27, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
- Jan 27, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Jan 27, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Formalizing Cybersecurity Mandates
The bill moves cybersecurity from a general departmental activity to a specifically assigned duty for Assistant Secretaries, signaling a prioritization of digital infrastructure protection.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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