Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2021 Interior-Environment Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2021 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill on a vote of 30 to 19. The legislation includes funding for programs within the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other related agencies, including the Indian Health Service.

In total, the draft bill includes $36.76 billion in regular appropriations, an increase of $771 million above the FY 2020 enacted level, and $5.11 billion over the President’s 2021 request. Additionally, the bill includes $15 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for investments in critical infrastructure. There is also an additional $2.35 billion of funding provided under the fire suppression cap adjustment.

“With this bill, House Democrats reject the dangerous anti-science policies and funding cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Instead, we are focused on protecting the environment and keeping our communities safe and healthy. Last year, House Democrats secured significant new investments in environmental protection and land conservation. For fiscal year 2021, we are building on those successes. Our priorities are ensuring clean air and water to protect our children’s health, protecting our public lands, biodiversity, and endangered species, and confronting climate change. This bill reflects the priorities of the American people,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chair Betty McCollum. “The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our entire nation, but there are pronounced racial disparities, and Native American communities are disproportionately feeling the impact. This bill continues to invest in the health, safety, and future of Indian Country. We have more work to do – but this bill is another step towards upholding the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations. As the American people confront our nation’s legacy of racial injustice, this bill is taking action to remove hateful Confederate symbols from our national parks. Democrats are committed to helping our nation combat the crises of climate change, tribal health disparities, and racial injustice, and this bill invests resources to face these challenges head on.”

“With the fiscal year 2021 Interior-Environment appropriations bill, House Democrats reject the Trump administration’s pandering to the fossil fuel industry at the expense of the environment and our public lands. Instead, we will promote solutions that preserve our landscapes, protect endangered species, and help prevent the worst impacts of climate change,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “When I first came to Congress, I promised to clean up the Long Island Sound.  I’m proud to have secured record levels of funding to rehabilitate this precious resource in the Lower Hudson Valley, including $30.4 million in this bill today for the Long Island Sound Regional Program.”

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. McCollum – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Rep. Price – The amendment prohibits funding for EPA to finalize its rule entitled, Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

A summary of the Interior-Environment bill is here. The text of the bill, prior to adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report is here.

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