The 'Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026' (H.R. 10143) aims to permanently halt the use of Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a nuclear waste storage site. It proposes ending the current licensing process, withdrawing the Department of Energy's application for construction, and prohibiting future consideration of the site for nuclear waste disposal. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Energy to restore the site and address any environmental damage caused by previous activities. It also requires a study to explore alternative uses for Yucca Mountain that could create jobs and benefit the economy, such as defense facilities, renewable energy projects, or scientific research.
H.R. 10143 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Susie Lee (Democrat) and is currently listed as “Introduced”. It is classified under the Energy policy area, one of 127 bills in that area we track this Congress.
Susie Lee is the sponsor of 6 bills in our database this Congress, so H.R. 10143 is part of a broader legislative agenda rather than a one-off proposal.
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 10143 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Energy is 2.2/10.
Supporters of the bill, including Nevada lawmakers, view it as a significant step toward protecting the state's interests and environment. They highlight the potential for economic growth through alternative uses of Yucca Mountain, such as renewable energy development and scientific research, which could create jobs and stimulate the local economy. The bill is seen as aligning with the state's long-standing opposition to becoming the nation's nuclear waste repository.
Critics argue that terminating the Yucca Mountain project leaves the nation without a clear solution for the long-term storage of nuclear waste, potentially leading to continued on-site storage at nuclear facilities, which may pose safety and security risks. They express concern that the bill does not provide a concrete alternative for nuclear waste disposal, potentially delaying the resolution of this critical issue.
The analysis of H.R. 10143, the Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor Susie Lee's top donor industries and the subject matter of the bill. The primary donor industries, which include Health Professionals contributing $600 million and Retired individuals contributing $187.5 million, do not appear to have a direct stake in the provisions of the bill. This lack of overlap suggests that there are minimal immediate conflicts of interest based on the financial support received by the sponsor. Voters should note that while the health sector is a significant donor, the bill does not address healthcare-related issues, reducing potential bias in legislative intent. However, the substantial contributions from health professionals could still raise questions about broader influences on policy decisions in other contexts.
Top industries funding Susie Lee, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
What does H.R. 10143 do?
The 'Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026' (H.R. 10143) aims to permanently halt the use of Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a nuclear waste storage site. It proposes ending the current licensing process, withdrawing the Department of Energy's application for construction, and prohibiting future consideration of the site for nuclear waste disposal. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Energy to…
Has H.R. 10143 received a floor vote?
No roll-call vote on H.R. 10143 is recorded in our database yet. Its current status is “Introduced”.
Does H.R. 10143 have a conflict of interest?
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 10143 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Energy is 2.2/10. This score reflects overlap between the sponsor’s campaign funding, lobbying activity, and the industries the bill affects. It is a transparency indicator, not an accusation.
What is the status of H.R. 10143?
H.R. 10143 is currently “Introduced” as of our last update on September 1, 2026.
Who sponsored H.R. 10143?
H.R. 10143 was sponsored by Susie Lee (Democrat).
