Today, the House Appropriations Committee unveiled the Fiscal Year 2026 bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The subcommittee will review the bill tomorrow, July 15th at 10:00 a.m., with a live-stream available on the Committee’s website.
Mike Simpson, Chairman of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, emphasized fiscal responsibility in Congress's efforts to manage spending. He stated that "the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act" focuses on optimizing federal agencies, encouraging domestic energy production, and reversing policies from the Biden administration. He expressed satisfaction with provisions protecting key programs like Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), investments in Indian Country, and Wildland Fire Management. He acknowledged Chairman Cole's leadership in advancing this bill.
Chairman Tom Cole remarked that "this bill reflects strong stewardship of America’s natural and financial resources." It aims to manage public lands while reducing unnecessary expenditures. Cole highlighted priorities such as undoing regulations from the Biden era to safeguard U.S. jobs and growth while maintaining commitments to Native American communities.
The proposed budget allocates $37.971 billion in discretionary funds, which is $2.54 billion less than the previous year. It emphasizes increasing American energy output by defunding certain rulemakings from Biden's term and adjusting agency funding levels, including a significant cut to the Environmental Protection Agency's budget.
Key measures include bolstering national security by promoting access to critical minerals domestically and facilitating mining operations through regulatory changes. Tribal Public Safety programs receive increased funding by 39% compared to FY25 levels.
The legislation supports American energy dominance by providing requested increases for oil and gas development at both offshore and onshore levels within relevant bureaus. It also imposes restrictions on various environmental regulations seen as hindrances to industry growth.
Furthermore, it addresses decisions impacting forest management while supporting former Trump Administration policies by prohibiting funds for initiatives related to critical race theory or diversity training.
Efforts are made to safeguard taxpayer dollars through reductions in EPA funding among other cost-saving measures. Regulations affecting car emissions or power plans are blocked alongside protections for public land access against additional restrictions.
A detailed summary of this appropriations bill is available online along with its full text.
