{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.budd.senate.gov/2026/07/22/budd-coons-lead-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-u-s-international-leadership-in-civil-nuclear-energy/", "Budd, Coons Lead Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. International Leadership in Civil Nuclear Energy", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "Senate", "NC", "Ted Budd", "B001305", "www.budd.senate.gov", "budd", "https://www.budd.senate.gov/category/news/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Act to codify the U.S. State Department\u2019s FIRST program advocating for the responsible deployment of civil nuclear energy around the world. The bipartisan bill would ensure that U.S. economic and national security interests are prioritized as we advance our nuclear industry and continue supporting the partnerships American companies have with other countries working to expand their nuclear energy programs.\n\n\u201cThe responsible development of civil nuclear energy, on an international scale, contributes to U.S. national security and bolsters our economy. The FIRST program has been a productive way for our nation to partner with good-faith actors who are building their nuclear arsenals, and continuing to leverage these public and private partnerships will help us advance our own energy dominance. Since North Carolina is a leader in next-generation nuclear technology, I am proud to partner with Senator Coons to bring this bipartisan solution forward and codify this program that will expand markets for our great innovators into law,\u201d said Senator Budd.\n\n\u201cNuclear energy is a source of clean and abundant power, and its growth in the U.S. and around the world will lower costs for consumers and combat climate change,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cRight now, too many nations that want to embrace nuclear power need to buy Chinese and Russian technology at huge cost, trapping them in debt. The United States should offer an alternative that keeps us on the cutting edge, strengthens our relationships around the world, and keeps Americans safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FIRST Act would codify the State Department\u2019s successful FIRST program and help secure America\u2019s global energy dominance. Helping our trusted allies develop advanced nuclear energy with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) will strengthen American competitiveness and counter advances from Communist China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries. Nebraska\u2019s longtime nuclear pedigree means we play an important role in advancing America\u2019s energy independence. Nebraska continues to innovate and is currently studying sites that could have the potential to host advanced small modular nuclear reactors. This bipartisan bill is critical to protecting our national security and advancing our civil nuclear capabilities around the world,\u201d said Senator Ricketts.\n\nU.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined the bill as co-sponsors.\n\nRead the full bill text HERE.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nLaunched in 2019, the State Department\u2019s FIRST program is a multiagency initiative that leverages public-private partnerships to strengthen U.S. leadership in civil nuclear energy. Through engagement with more than 50 partner countries seeking to deploy advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), the program supports the development of civilian nuclear power programs that adhere to the highest international standards for nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.budd.senate.gov/2026/07/22/budd-coons-lead-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-u-s-international-leadership-in-civil-nuclear-energy/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9109540842473507, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}