Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2027 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) said, "We continue to fully fund the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, which provides payments to nearly every State in the country for certain tax-exempt federal lands. The bill also supports the Administration’s proposal to streamline firefighting activities throughout the Department of the Interior through the establishment of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. The bill continues support for federal wildland firefighters and provides additional funding to support firefighter pay, helping improve recruitment and retention, and giving financial certainty to the men and women protecting our communities from catastrophic wildfires. Given these priorities, the bill makes fiscally responsible reductions to most other appropriations. For example, the EPA is cut by nearly $1.8 billion – or 20 percent – below the enacted level. The bill continues to fund grants that go directly to States and Tribes for water infrastructure projects and to help fulfill their delegated authority under federal laws like the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. These programs are important for issuing permits for continued development and economic growth."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "The measure before us marks a focus on effective stewardship – one where we manage our lands responsibly, unleash domestic energy, strengthen wildfire response, and ensure agencies are focused on core missions. To fulfill those objectives, we provide critical and targeted funding to the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Forest Service – with investments reinforcing America’s natural, cultural, and environmental resources. Importantly, this bill also reflects our commitment to honoring and upholding our sacred trust and treaty oaths to protect Native American communities. I’m proud that the legislation prioritizes funding for the accounts that deliver critical services to Indian Country. Building on our work from last year, we are again enhancing resources for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, and the Indian Health Service. Because delivering better outcomes for Tribal communities strengthens our nation and supports long-term stability. I appreciate Chairman Simpson’s commonsense approach to directing funding to the initiatives that connect our communities, grow opportunity, and reinforce our way of life."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $38.9 billion. The bill prioritizes unleashing American energy and rightsizing agency funding levels, including a $1.8 billion reduction (20%) to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The bill fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, estimated at $650 million, and prioritizes funding for Tribes and wildland fire.
Key Takeaways
Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:
Champions American energy dominance and reduces regulatory burdens by:
Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:
Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:
Protects access to public lands by:
A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.
A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.
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