Congress returns from its spring recess this week with appropriations committee hearings on President Donald Trump’s proposed FY 2027 federal budget scheduled to begin on Wednesday in the House and on Thursday in the Senate. Cabinet department heads will also testify before various appropriations subcommittees. 

On Wednesday, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright will testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, chaired by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN). NAIOP and its real estate allies have been advocating in support of continued funding for the federal government’s Energy Star Program, a public-private partnership which aims to help families and businesses voluntarily lower their energy costs and increase energy efficiency in various industries, including the commercial real estate sector.

The Trump administration has proposed moving the program, currently housed at the Environment Protection Agency, to the Department of Energy.