Simpson, Cole at FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Act Subcommittee Markup
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2025 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) delivered the following remarks during the markup, “I have consistently said that I refuse to balance the budget on the backs of Tribes, so I am proud that this bill makes strong investments to further the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities...
"The bill also provides over $330 million to permanently address federal wildland firefighter pay and capacity. The permanent pay fix included in this bill will improve firefighter recruitment and retention and provide financial certainty to the men and women protecting our communities from catastrophic wildfire...
"To meet our allocation while prioritizing these critical programs, the bill right sizes funding for most other appropriations. For example, EPA is cut 20 percent below the enacted level, with reductions targeted at operating programs and regulatory activities...
"I am pleased that this bill focuses spending where it is needed most, makes great strides to address critical needs across Indian Country, and permanently fixes wildland firefighter pay. And that it restrains the Administration’s burdensome regulatory agenda to ensure access to our public lands."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) delivered the following remarks, "This bill supports the conservation and good stewardship our nation’s natural, cultural, and environmental resources. From the protection of forests and recreational hunting and fishing to U.S. energy and mineral independence—the measure before us impacts vast aspects of American life. It also advances the federal commitment to honor our trust and treaty responsibilities to American Indian and Alaska Natives communities.
"Essential resources are delivered with a total funding level of thirty-eight point four eight billion dollars. This allocation marks a reduction from the Fiscal Year 2024 enacted level and meets the topline imposed by law under the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
"We have taken meaningful steps to reduce spending on lower-priority programs and direct funding where it is needed most – Indian Country and wildland fire management. "
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
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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