The House passed a partisan appropriation bill Wednesday for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other related agencies. The measure, which passed 210 to 205, would impose a 20% cut to the EPA and includes several conservative provisions that are likely to doom it in the Senate.
The fiscal 2025 spending bill proposes $38.5 billion in discretionary funding, $72 million below fiscal 2024 funding levels, and includes steep cuts to various agencies. The measure would roll back a number of Biden administration regulatory efforts, such as the Department of Energy’s fuel economy standards and its rules curtailing emissions from power plants, as well as an EPA rule regulating industry emissions that affect downwind states.
“With good stewardship as our compass, the FY25 Interior bill ensures every resource is used wisely and effectively," Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said.
The funding measure will be stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House issued a veto threat earlier this week.
“The Administration strongly opposes the nearly 100 harmful policy provisions in the bill that interfere with DOI’s scientific and evidence-based decision-making,” the White House wrote of the Interior bill. “Among other negative impacts, these provisions would slow the Nation’s progress in growing the clean energy economy by restricting or modifying DOI’s energy and mineral development programs and overturn science-based rulemakings that protect public lands and help to prevent numerous species from extinction.”
Notably, the bill cuts $464 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Bureau of Trust Fund Administration. The bill also cuts $210 million from the National Park Service, along with millions in cuts across other offices.
A notable rider in the measure would require an issuance of a new five-year offshore oil and gas lease plan, following criticism that the Biden administration’s plan would offer the lowest number of offshore lease sales in history.
The measure also has a number of riders that are not related to energy or the environment, such as prohibiting funds for diversity and equity efforts.
House Republicans had also scheduled a separate vote on a measure funding the Energy Department and water development. But that bill was pulled from the voting schedule after Republican leadership hesitated to force members from competitive districts to vote on controversial amendments for a bill that will never pass into law, Politico reported.
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Members offered nearly 200 amendments to the bill for consideration. One that was approved was a measure from Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) that would reduce funding for the EPA’s Environmental Programs and Management account by $7 million and reallocate the funds to the inspector general’s office. Another rider, offered by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), would prevent the Bureau of Land Management from finalizing and implementing a plan to expand the rollout of solar in Western states.
The House has passed five appropriation bills, but it's unlikely more will pass before the August recess. A bill funding the legislative branch, a measure that’s long been considered easier to pass, failed earlier this month over disagreements regarding member pay and higher spending. The House is expected to leave town until September as soon as Wednesday.
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